Summary:
- In a recent interview, Robert Downey Jr. shared that he wouldn’t mind returning to the MCU as Tony Stark/Iron Man, emphasizing how the role had defined his career.
- However, Marvel’s head Kevin Feige believed that the story of Iron Man had concluded beautifully in Avengers: Endgame.
- There are multiple ways Iron Man can return to the MCU, with Avengers: Secret Wars being the most reasonable option.
Robert Downey Jr., celebrated for his portrayal of Iron Man in the MCU, has ignited discussions among the Marvel community about a possible return as the enigmatic playboy-billionaire. After Downey Jr.’s departure from the beloved franchise, the MCU has been on an inconsistent streak, as the studio struggles to find a worthy name to fill the actor’s shoes.
On social media, fans have been crying for Robert Downey Jr. to return to “save the MCU”, but the Oppenheimer star was seemingly done with the role. Until recently, that is.
In an intimate conversation with Esquire Magazine, following his triumphant Oscar win for “Oppenheimer,” Downey Jr. contemplated his connection to Iron Man, stating “it’s too integral a part of my DNA.” while also adding Kevin Feige, Marvel Studios’ president, to the conversation.
“Happily. It’s too integral a part of my DNA. That role chose me. And look, I always say, ‘Never, ever bet against Kevin Feige.’ It is a losing bet. He’s the house. He will always win,” said the Oscar winner.
This response by Downey Jr. comes as great news for Marvel fans, for at least it means that the acclaimed actor is open to returning to the role of Tony Stark in the future. Now, it only depends on Marvel Studios to change their mind.
However, Feige himself voiced reservations in an interview last year with Vanity Fair about bringing Tony Stark back, as it would ruin Downey Jr.’s “perfect exit” in “Avengers; Endgame.”
“We are going to keep that moment and not touch that moment again,” Feige said at the time. “We all worked very hard for many years to get to that, and we would never want to magically undo it in any way.”
While many fans were saddened by this statement from Feige, the decision was mutually respected, as “Avengers: Endgame” has indeed carved a perfect conclusion to the character arcs of Tony Stark, Steve Rogers, and Natasha Romanoff.
When asked about any recent offers from Marvel in January on Rob Lowe’s “Literally!” podcast, Downey answered: “Not just yet.” However, with his most recent response with Esquire, fans can hope that the actor can talk it out with Marvel for a possible comeback in the not-so-distant future.
His dynamic with Gwyneth Paltrow, who played Pepper Potts, also surfaced during his Esquire feature. Paltrow fondly recalled that Downey constantly discarded dialogue lines while filming the “Iron Man” trilogy, to the extent that she even stopped bothering to remember her lines because of the latter’s complete disregard of the script.
Considering Iron Man’s canonical end, Robert Downey Jr.’s return would necessitate creative narrative techniques, such as introducing a Tony Stark variant from the multiverse. This approach could offer Downey Jr. and fans a completely fresh perspective on the character. Alternatively, leveraging time travel could revisit Iron Man’s legacy without undermining his ultimate sacrifice in Endgame.
There are also rumors that Feige might reintroduce Downey Jr. to the MCU in future Avengers movies, particularly as “Avengers: Secret Wars” looms on the horizon, as the movie is considered a soft reboot for the entire franchise. This monumental event might mark the last opportunity for Downey Jr.’s Iron Man to grace the screen, pending any future casting decisions.
One thing is for sure, though, with Robert Downey Jr.’s enthusiasm to return to the role, it seems that his adventure in the MCU is not over just yet.
