Was WNBA star Brittney Griner traded for some form of Tony Stark? NBA fans must be aware that Stark is a fictional character in the comic and movie series called Iron Man. Played by Robert Downey Jr, Stark is an eccentric billionaire who used his arms dealing technology to eventually create a suit. That allowed him to become Iron Man.
Coming back to reality, some fans might also remember that Brittney Griner was traded for a Russian arms dealer named Viktor Bout. Thus, the internet instantly made a connection between Tony Stark and Victor Bout. Especially due to a particular scene in the movie making a well-known reference.
Robert Downey Jr and Viktor Bout, the man traded for Brittney Griner, have the same nickname
This is quite an amusing scene in the Iron Man movie. Those who have watched it will know that Stark Industries sold and created weapons. The necessity for weapons of mass destruction and the need for disarmament have always been at odds.
As a result, Tony stark was interviewed by a Journalist who was looking to attack him over the consequences of his actions. Especially in terms of human life and collateral damage to civilians. She initially asked him to comment on his nickname, “The Da Vinci of our time”. When Stark dismissed it, she hit him with another name that now sounds all too familiar.
“And what do you say to your other nickname, the Merchant of Death?”
To this, Stark responded quite impressively, “it’s an imperfect world, but it’s the only one we’ve got. I guarantee you the day weapons are no longer needed to keep the peace, I’ll start making bricks and beans for baby hospitals…Peace means having a bigger stick than the other guy.”
They proceed to have an amusing back-and-forth. Then, the movie went on. This truly raises an interesting perspective. One that can even be applied to someone like Viktor Bout, who we all assume is very dangerous and should not be free.
Every country could potentially have its own Tony Stark, a man who thinks weapons and having the upper hand is crucial in the pursuit of true peace. This is a morally debatable issue in itself. Should we attack or defend Viktor Bout for simply supplying weapons?
Finally, the Merchant of death sounds quite a cliche in itself and could apply to almost anyone in the business of ending lives. In any case, it won’t be wrong to say that The US could have hit a better trade.