Elon Musk saved Marvel millions of dollars over a decade ago 'in exchange' for one thing
Elon Musk is certainly not lacking when it comes to funds, but he did turn down an offer from Marvel that would have been in the millions of dollars, although he required one key thing in return.
Celebrity cameos are far from a new concept in the world of Hollywood, but Elon Musk is no stranger to the silver screen with a number of guest appearances in some of the biggest films and TV shows this century.
While his reputation has definitely soured significantly over the last couple of years, he was once seen by many as a tech 'genius', to the point where Lisa Simpson once idolized him in a guest spot on the long-running animated show.
Musk has also popped up on Rick and Morty, The Big Bang Theory (and its spin-off Young Sheldon), and even met his one-time girlfriend Amber Heard after making an appearance in 2013's Machete Kills.
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Some even speculate that he's made 'cameos' without his knowledge, as many point towards a character in Grand Theft Auto 5 as being the game's satirical interpretation of Musk, which is especially funny considering his opinion of the series as a whole.
It is his cameo in Marvel's Iron Man 2 that many think of the most, although it's perhaps for the reason behind his appearance more so than the impact that he actually made on the film.
As reported by TheThings, Robert Downey Jr. actually turned to Musk in order to help get into the character of Tony Stark prior to the first film's release, and that connection extended towards the sequel two years later.
Jon Favreau, the film's director, explained that parts of Iron Man 2 were filmed at Musk's SpaceX headquarters, noting that the billionaire "let us film there for free. He's been a very good friend of the Marvel family there, and we've maintained a friendship with him."
Location costs can be some of the most expensive across a film's entire production, and that would have especially been the case for a building that's presumably as secretive and expensive as SpaceX.
Musk waived the fee, however, both out of his love for Marvel and on one other condition: that he would be allowed to make a cameo appearance in the film.
The billionaire appears for little more than a couple of seconds, where he congratulates Pepper Potts on her promotion and shares an idea for an 'electric jet' with Tony Stark, but it certainly was compelling for some to see a fictional character meet the man that was part of its inspiration.