Robert Downey Jr. open to returning as Iron Man, but uncertainty looms large

In a recent interview with Esquire magazine, Robert Downey Jr., famous for his portrayal of Tony Stark/Iron Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), surprised fans by expressing his willingness to return to the franchise. Despite Iron Man’s heroic sacrifice in Avengers: Endgame, Downey stated that he would “happily” don the Iron Man suit again if given the opportunity.

However, directors Joe and Anthony Russo, who helmed Endgame, have cast doubts on the possibility of Downey’s return. In a conversation with GamesRadar+, the Russo brothers questioned how Iron Man could be reintroduced after his emotional exit in their film, stating that they had “closed that book” and it would be up to others to figure out how to reopen it.

This uncertainty is further compounded by Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige’s previous reservations about reviving Iron Man. Feige had emphasized the importance of preserving Iron Man’s death scene and had stated that they would not want to “magically undo” that moment. However, Downey’s recent comments have added a new layer of complexity to the situation.

As discussions surrounding Downey’s potential return to the MCU continue, the final decision ultimately rests with Feige. Downey has expressed confidence in Feige’s leadership, stating, “Never, ever bet against Kevin Feige. He’s the house. He will always win.”

Meanwhile, while the fate of Iron Man remains uncertain, Downey has a lineup of exciting projects on the horizon. He is set to reprise his role as Sherlock Holmes in Sherlock Holmes 3 and is also working on The Sympathizer, an adaptation of Viet Thanh Nguyen’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. Downey’s recent performance in Oppenheimer earned him an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, showcasing his versatility as an actor.

With fans eagerly awaiting news of Iron Man’s potential return and Downey’s upcoming projects, the future of the MCU remains as intriguing as ever.