<Li> Mickey Rourke as Ivan Vanko: A Russian physicist and ex-convict who builds his own arc reactor - based weapon to exact vengeance on the Stark family . The character is an amalgam of Whiplash and Crimson Dynamo . Rourke visited Butyrka prison to research the role, and he suggested half of the character's dialogue be in Russian . He also suggested the addition of tattoos, gold teeth and a fondness for a pet cockatoo, paying for the teeth and bird with his own money . Rourke explained that he did not want to play a "one - dimensional bad guy", and wanted to challenge the audience to see something redeemable in him . Not knowing anything about computers, Rourke described pretending to be tech - savvy as the hardest part of the role . </Li> <Li> Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury: Director of S.H.I.E.L.D.; Jackson signed a nine - film contract to play the character . On the subject of his character not seeing any action in the film, Jackson said "We still haven't moved Nick Fury into the bad - ass zone . He's still just kind of a talker ." </Li> <P> The director, Jon Favreau, reprises his role as Happy Hogan, Tony Stark's bodyguard and chauffeur, while Clark Gregg and Leslie Bibb reprise their roles as S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent Phil Coulson and reporter Christine Everhart, respectively . John Slattery appears as Tony's father Howard Stark and Garry Shandling appears as United States Senator Stern, who wants Stark to give Iron Man's armor to the government . Favreau stated that Shandling's character was named after radio personality Howard Stern . Paul Bettany again voices Stark's computer, J.A.R.V.I.S. Olivia Munn has a small role as Chess Roberts, a reporter covering the Stark expo, Kate Mara portrays a U.S. Marshal who summons Tony to the government hearing, and Stan Lee appears as himself (but is mistaken for Larry King). </P> <P> Additionally, news anchor Christiane Amanpour and political commentator Bill O'Reilly play themselves in newscasts . Adam Goldstein appears as himself and the film is dedicated to his memory . Further cameos include Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk and Oracle Corporation CEO Larry Ellison . Favreau's son Max appears as a child wearing an Iron Man mask who Stark saves from a drone . This was retroactively made the introduction of a young Peter Parker to the MCU, as confirmed in June 2017 by eventual Spider - Man actor Tom Holland, Feige and Spider - Man: Homecoming director Jon Watts . </P>

Who plays howard stark in iron man 2