After playing the iconic role of Iron Man for 10 films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Robert Downey Jr. has officially concluded his run as the beloved superhero. In a recent interview with Vanity Fair, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige confirmed that Tony Stark will not be making a comeback.
“We are going to keep that moment and not touch that moment again,” Feige stated in the Downey Jr. profile. “We all worked very hard for many years to get to that, and we would never want to magically undo it in any way.”
This news may disappoint fans who were hoping for a potential resurrection of the character following his death in 2019’s The Avengers: Endgame. Addressing this, director Joe Russo mentioned, “We’d already said tearful goodbyes on the last day of shooting. Everybody had moved on emotionally. We promised him it would be the last time we made him do it—ever.”
Co-director Anthony Russo also shared insight into the emotional impact of Downey Jr.’s final moments as Iron Man, stating, “When he did come back, we were shooting on a stage directly opposite where he auditioned for Tony Stark. So his last line as Tony Stark was shot literally a couple hundred feet from his original audition that got him the role.”
Downey Jr.’s portrayal of Iron Man has been central to the success of the MCU, but Feige revealed that there was initial hesitancy from Marvel about casting the actor due to his past legal troubles. However, Downey Jr. ultimately won the role and went on to play Tony Stark in 10 films.
With Downey Jr.’s farewell to the role, it is clear that his departure marks the end of an era in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, leaving behind a legacy that will be remembered by fans for years to come.