Robert Downey Jr's Iron Man Return: Unlikely for Avengers 6, Recent Changes Announced

Summary

The success of Robert Downey Jr.'s film Oppenheimer may have decreased the chances of him returning as Iron Man in the MCU.

Downey's possible Oscar victory for his portrayal of Oppenheimer may influence his willingness to reenact the character of Tony Stark.

Marvel Studios has been purposefully separating itself from Tony Stark's enduring legacy in an effort to establish a fresh identity for the franchise.

The possibility of Robert Downey Jr. reprising his role as Iron Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe may have been influenced by the success of Oppenheimer. Marvel Studios concluded the Infinity Saga with the demise of its original hero, underscoring how Avengers: Endgame signaled the end of an era. In the years following Thanos' defeat, the MCU has made a conscious effort to distance itself from Tony Stark and his legacy in order to prevent the Multiverse Saga from being burdened by past events. However, recent news of Kevin Feige's intention to bring back some of the franchise's founding heroes, Tony Stark included, suggests that this approach may change. Despite this, Phase Zero co-author Joanna Robinson discusses the possibility of Downey suiting up as Iron Man once again, but advises that the success of Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer might have diminished that likelihood. Read her full statement below.

Between Downey and Evans, I would have chosen Downey as the one who would not want to be killed off in Endgame. In the later chapters, it becomes evident that he was sort of 'no thank you' to that idea. Considering this, it would be expected that getting Downey back as Tony Stark would be one of the easiest calls. I mean, it would require a lot of money, but just a phone call. However, things seem to have changed a bit. Downey is currently on the verge of winning an Oscar for his role as Oppenheimer, and I believe this achievement has altered his readiness to resume the character of Tony Stark.

Should Robert Downey Jr. Return As Iron Man In The MCU?

Oppenheimer not only enjoyed huge commercial success, but it also received critical acclaim, cementing Christopher Nolan and the entire cast as accomplished artists. Many foresee it snagging several prestigious nominations at the Academy Awards, with Robert Downey Jr.'s exceptional portrayal of Lewis Strauss positioning him as a top contender for Best Supporting Actor. However, this success could potentially deter Downey from reprising his iconic role as Iron Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It is widely known that certain members of the film industry undermine the significance of comic book adaptations, which might discourage Downey from donning the Iron Man suit again.

Iron Man's departure in Avengers: Endgame is regarded as one of the finest farewells for a fictional character in recent memory. Although Marvel Studios has a history of reversing deaths, the act itself carries significant risks. Yet, the emergence of the multiverse grants Feige and his team numerous opportunities to reintroduce Downey's Iron Man to the MCU, while maintaining the integrity of his impactful conclusion in the Sacred Timeline. Nevertheless, the mere possibility of doing so does not necessarily warrant rushing into action.

The MCU has dedicated considerable effort to distance itself from Iron Man's influence. While Tony Stark's legacy will forever be interwoven with the franchise, it is crucial for it to forge a new identity independent of his presence. Thus, unless Marvel Studios finds genuine necessity in bringing Downey back, it would be prudent to postpone his return until after the conclusion of the Multiverse Saga.

Source: Phase Zero/Twitter