Marvel StudiosPresident Kevin Feige has confirmed that Robert Downey Jr. will not be reprising his role as Iron Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). This decision is rooted in the studio’s desire to preserve the impactful farewell moment of Tony Stark in Avengers: Endgame in 2019.
Feige, in a recent Vanity Fair interview, emphasized the significance of Stark’s final scenes, stating, “We are going to keep that moment and not touch that moment again.” He added, “We all worked very hard for many years to get to that, and we would never want to magically undo it in any way.”
Reflecting on Downey Jr.’s casting as Iron Man in 2008, Feige recounted the initial skepticism due to the actor’s past legal troubles. Despite reservations, both Feige and director Jon Favreau supported Downey for the role. Feige highlighted the Marvel board’s nervousness about entrusting the future films to someone with a troubled history but expressed his determination to make the case for Downey through a screen test.
Former Marvel Studios president David Maisel played a crucial role in convincing the board to choose Downey over another candidate, Timothy Olyphant. Despite initial doubts, Maisel emphasized Downey’s suitability for the role and his confidence in the actor’s sobriety.
Over 11 years, Downey Jr. appeared in nine Marvel films, leaving a lasting impact on the MCU. Feige acknowledged Downey’s positive influence behind the scenes, describing him as a mentor and cheerleader for his co-stars. The decision to retire Iron Man reflects Marvel’s commitment to narrative integrity and respecting the emotional weight of character arcs, signaling a new phase for the iconic cinematic universe.