The Avengers star Mark Ruffalo offers an optimistic response when asked about Robert Downey Jr.’s possible return as Iron Man in the MCU.
When asked about Robert Downey Jr.’s possible return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Iron Man, Mark Ruffalo offered an optimistic answer. Taking over the role of Bruce Banner/Hulk in 2012’s The Avengers, the actors co-starred in all four Avengers films thus far. They also shared the screen in Iron Man 3‘s hilarious post-credits scene. While not the most prominent friendship in the MCU, the pair developed a great dynamic throughout the Infinity Saga.
During the Emerald City Comic-Con Mean and Green: Mark Ruffalo Spotlight panel (via The Direct), Ruffalo was asked about the chances of Downey suiting back up as Iron Man in the MCU. While the actor didn’t give a concrete answer, his response was optimistic about the idea. Read his full quote below:
Sad, but there is a time machine. And there are alternate universes and realities, so anything could happen.
Can Robert Downey Jr. Still Return To The MCU As Iron Man?
Iron Man’s death was the emotional crux of Avengers: Endgame. It also emphasized the end of an era as Marvel Studios bid goodbye to its inaugural hero. But just because he’s dead, doesn’t mean he cannot return. The franchise has either faked or worked around the idea of death so many times in the Infinity Saga, it’s fairly easy to bring back Downey’s Tony Stark.
Now, it will just boil down to whether Marvel Studios wants to bring back Iron Man. Ruffalo’s comment also highlights the MCU’s other options regarding the matter in a way that they don’t have to undo his death. Still, seeing Stark back in the MCU’s Multiverse Saga could cheapen his rather satisfying send-off. Considering how emotional his death was, it’s arguably better to hold off his potential return — if it’s something Marvel Studios is even planning on doing.
Based on reports, Marvel Studios isn’t planning on bringing back Iron Man in the MCU any time soon. There are several other characters in the franchise that could move it forward and Marvel would be better off focusing on them to sustain the universe. In any case, Downey is also busy with other endeavors including Christopher Nolan’s film, Oppenheimer, and the TV series, The Sympathizer.
8 Critical Iron Man Choices That Would Have Totally Changed The MCUBYANA DUMARAOGPUBLISHED 2 DAYS AGO
Iron Man was the most influential character in the Infinity Saga and many of his decisions not only shaped the MCU’s first decade but also its future.
As the face of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Iron Man has been one of the most influential characters in the franchise. He made several critical decisions that shaped the universe. Robert Downey Jr.’s Tony Stark was a prominent member of the Avengers despite almost not making the roster. While he wasn’t the most powerful hero in the MCU, he was intrinsic in each of the Avengers’ missions, including their biggest one fighting Thanos in Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame.
Marvel Studios capped off the Infinity Saga with the demise of Tony Stark after he sacrificed himself to ensure a future free from Thanos. Iron Man’s Avengers: Endgame death perfectly marked the end of an era for the MCU as it coincided with the passing of its inaugural hero. Despite that, however, Stark continues to have an impact on the franchise’s future, with Iron Man’s legacy still shaping some aspects of the Multiverse Saga. This emphasizes just how integral the genius, billionaire Avenger was in the MCU. So it shouldn’t be surprising that some of his personal decisions had big ramifications for the bigger universe that he belonged to.
Tony Stark Choosing To Reveal Himself As Iron Man
It’s an understatement to say that Jon Favreau’s Iron Man rewrote the comic book movie genre. Aside from laying the groundwork for the MCU, it also broke so many of the pre-established rules when it came to making movies about superheroes. That includes destroying the secret identity trope when Stark brazenly declared “I am Iron Man” — a signature line that also became his final battle cry in Avengers: Endgame. With Stark’s superhero persona out in the open, the MCU was able to break free of the tired narrative trick with many of the succeeding Marvel heroes openly known for both their public and private personas.
Iron Man’s Decision To Risk His Life In The Avengers
On the heels of his superhero confession, Nick Fury recruited Stark to be part of the Avengers Initiative. The threat brought by Loki’s attempt to take over Earth roped Iron Man back into the team in 2012’s The Avengers. Iron Man played a leading role in the narrative. His decision to sacrifice himself at the end of The Avengers‘ Battle of New York cemented his hero status in the MCU, but it also set him down a long path toward eventually facing Thanos. Had it not been for his decision, he wouldn’t have sensed that there was a bigger threat out there in the cosmos.
Iron Man’s Decision To Make Ultron
Motivated by the threat he sensed at the end of The Avengers and further traumatized by the Scarlet Witch-induced vision at the start of Avengers: Age of Ultron, Iron Man decided to create Ultron. The A.I. project-gone-wrong part of Stark’s global defense program was supposed to help safeguard Earth against any extraterrestrial attack. The unexpectedly sentient robot turned against its creator and posed a massive threat that resulted in the destruction of Sokovia. The incident played a part in the institution of the Sokovia Accords. Had Iron Man not built Ultron, the events of Captain America: Civil War may have not happened.
