In the film Iron Man, genius playboy Tony Stark creates a power suit of armour to save his life, and then the world.
It is a concept that has inspired US military boffins who have gone to Hollywood costume and special effects creators Legacy Effects for advice on making their own Iron Man-style suit - known as Talos (Tactical Assault Light Operator Suit) - for their troops.
The brief for Talos states that it must be bulletproof, have built-in weapons, have the ability to monitor vitals, and give the wearer superhuman strength and perception.
Legacy Effects, on behalf of exoskeleton manufacturers Ekso Bionics, made the Iron Man suit for the Marvel films.
According to The Wall Steet Journal, Legacy Effects are among the bigger manufacturers involved in the project and will help the US military to design and 3D print prototypes.
Legacy founder Lindsay MacGowan told reporters: "When you're doing something for a movie it is all make-believe, whereas for the military, that's really not going to be the case."
As with Stark, money appears to be no object for the US military, which has already spent a reported $10-million (R106-million) on the project.
If all goes well, Talos could be deployed by 2018.