The Voice Behind Tony Stark: Unveiling the Actor

Who will be providing the voice for Iron Man in the Disney Plus series What If Season 2, which marks the return of Tony Stark to the MCU? Robert Downey Jr's iconic portrayal of the character has been a cornerstone of the Marvel Cinematic Universe's success.

The star's unexpected role as the franchise's main figure was initially seen as a gamble, but it turned out to be one of the best decisions made since the franchise began in 2008. His time portraying the character reached its peak in Avengers: Endgame, where he seized Thanos' Infinity Stones, eradicating him for the greater good of the universe, all at the cost of his own life. However, in the multiverse, no one is ever truly gone, as shown in the latest alternate realities featured in What If Season 2 and the return of Tony Stark.

Who voices Tony Stark / Iron Man in What If Season 2?

Tony Stark is voiced by Mick Wingert in What If Season 2.

Wingert's iteration of Iron Man is featured in two episodes of the second season: Episode 3 ('What If... Happy Hogan Saved Christmas') and Episode 4 ('What If... Iron Man Crashed Into the Grandmaster'). He was also the voice of the character in Season 1, receiving credit for four episodes.

Although some actors have returned to their roles in the animated series, such as Karen Gillan as Nebula and Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye, other characters have been recast due to scheduling conflicts and/or budget limitations for the major stars.

During an interview with DiscussingFilm, Wingert, known for his roles in Kung Fu Panda: Paws of Destiny and Arcane, expressed his enthusiasm for portraying Tony Stark/Iron Man. He revealed that his opportunity to play the character was the result of taking a risk during an audition and meeting the perfect opportunity to join the Marvel Animation family. Despite not being a major fan of Iron Man as a child, Wingert's perspective changed after Robert Downey, Jr. immortalized the character on screen in 2008, when he finally "got" Tony Stark.

Robert Downey, Jr's portrayal of Iron Man was, in my opinion, the ultimate depiction of the character. When I had the opportunity to voice the animated version for the direct-to-video project Marvel Superheroes Frost Fight, I aimed to capture the essence of RDJ's performance in my audition. Fortunately, the Marvel animation team appreciated my take on the character and invited me to voice him in several projects, including the initial direct-to-video film and other related works. This eventually led to me becoming the regular voice for the character.

What If Season 2 is streaming on Disney Plus now. Check out our breakdown of the cast here, and the show’s Christmas release schedule here.

Editor's P/S

As a devoted fan of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, I was thrilled to learn that Tony Stark would be making a comeback in the second season of What If. Robert Downey Jr.'s portrayal of the character was nothing short of iconic, and I couldn't imagine anyone else stepping into his shoes. However, I was pleasantly surprised by Mick Wingert's performance as the voice of Iron Man. He managed to capture the essence of Tony Stark's personality, delivering a performance that was both faithful to the original character and uniquely his own.

Wingert's portrayal of Tony Stark in What If Season 2 is a testament to his talent and dedication as a voice actor. He brings a fresh perspective to the character, while still staying true to the core elements that make Tony Stark so beloved. His performance is a perfect example of how voice acting can elevate an animated series, and I can't wait to hear more of his work in future Marvel projects.