Robert Downey Jr.'s MCU character Iron Man was among the most popular figures in the billion-dollar franchise. Since many are still not over the beloved character, Iron Man might appear in Avengers: Secret Wars. However, it's reportedly unlikely for RDJ to reprise his role.
Iron Man Could Return To MCU Without Robert Downey Jr?
Robert Downey Jr. played his MCU character Tony Stark a.k.a Iron Man, so well that many were broken-hearted following his exit from the franchise. Downey bid goodbye in the MCU when his character made a huge sacrifice in Avengers: Endgame. His departure left a huge void in the franchise, but the character saved the universe from Thanos and his forces.
According to Startefacts, Iron Man can still return to the multiverse as everything is possible there. There are rumors that classic Marvel characters might appear in Avengers: Secret Wars, including the fan-favorite Iron Man.
However, the outlet noted that it would be best for the franchise to move on without Iron Man or have a new actor play Tony Stark. The outlet noted that Downey's character development had been completed, and it ended well. His return might just ruin his legacy.
"There just isn't a way for the next version of Stark to match the original. The next version would either be too flawed or too perfect; the original was so beloved because he was a perfect mix of both. More importantly, we saw his legacy unfold and his character develop," the outlet noted.
Startefacts clarifies that there's still room for a cameo for Iron Man or Stark, but it should be played by a new actor and not RDJ. Having a new actor to play Stark would allow him to shine on his own and be flawed, evil or perfect.
Jon Favreau Didn't Want To Kill Robert Downey Jr.'s Iron Man
Although Stark died in Endgame, it was the perfect send-off for the "Genius, Billionaire, Playboy, Philanthropist" character. In an interview with Vanity Fair, the Russo brothers revealed that Jon Favreau, who launched MCU with Iron Man and later directed its sequel, didn't want RDJ's character to die in the climatic Avengers flick.
"Part of the pressure [not to kill Tony Stark] came from Jon Favreau, who called us up after he read the script … and said to us, 'Are you really going to kill Iron Man?'" Anthony Russo said.
"He did. Yeah," Russo said.
"And I remember pacing on the corner of a stage on the phone with Favreau trying to talk him off a ledge. Because he's like, 'You can't do this. It's gonna devastate people, and you don't want them, you know, walking out of the theater and into traffic.' We did it anyways."
Meanwhile, Downey had seemingly predicted the death of his beloved character. In an Iron Man documentary, the actor said about his character Tony Stark, "he's probably just as likely to kill himself trying to save people as he is to do the right thing," Screen Rant reported.
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