In light of speculation over Robert Downey Jr.‘s potential return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, a Marvel Studios executive stated that Iron Man “no longer [is] on the table.”
It’s safe to say that since both actors left the MCU with 2019’s Avengers: Endgame, fans have been missing Downey Jr. and his illustrious Iron Man. Ever since the event that marked the end of the Infinity Saga, many people have even been speculating about the many ways and locations Tony Stark might make a comeback.
These hypotheses have only been strengthened by the Multiverse Saga, where the introduction of Variants has made it possible for RDJ to appear in a different universe. Yet, there are plenty of other possibilities for how Stark might appear again in War Machine’s upcoming Iron Man spin-off Armor Wars.
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Iron Man by Robert Downey Jr. is not a possibility.
Stephen Broussard, the vice president of production and development at Marvel Studios, told io9 that the focus of Phase 4 was “a new generation moving to the center” with characters like Robert Downey Jr.’s Iron Man “no longer [on the] table.”
“I believe that one of Phase Four’s meta-narratives was the introduction of new characters. It dealt with new individuals taking on leadership roles. Consider how Kate Bishop in “Hawkeye” and Cassie Lang in “Quantumania” introduced new characters like Jack from “Werewolf by Night.” Torches are being passed after the first ten years of Marvel storytelling, as evidenced by the fact that Robert Downey Jr. is no longer [on the] table and other such things. So, it was almost akin to a new generation taking the lead, which has always happened in comic books.”
The timing of Broussard’s remarks coincides with speculation that Downey Jr. would play Iron Man once more in a future Multiverse Saga production. The Iron Man spin-offs Ironheart and Armor Wars, as well as the obvious Avengers: Secret Wars, have all been mentioned as potential top candidates to see the armored Avenger return.
Speaking to GQ Magazine in February 2021, Downey Jr. made his last comments about a prospective MCU comeback, stating that he has “alighted, for now,” but cryptically added, “never say never.”
Jonathan Majors, who plays Kang in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, recently shared with Lifehacker’s Lauren Rouse his desire to compete against Iron Man to “test how our ideas, acting-wise and character-wise… fit up:”
“I would want to play opposite him on the screen to see how our acting and character-building approach, purely on a personal level, mesh. Iron Man fascinates me because, you know, I think him to be such a fascinating artist. His interpretation of Iron Man is incredibly fascinating, and he embodies the Avengers‘ spirit and worldview to a T. Kang, in my opinion, is a product of a different time.”
Majors expressed in particular his desire to have Iron Man and Kang “together and engage in a brief discussion:
It would be incredibly intriguing to watch those two interact and converse for a while.
Why Iron Man, played by Robert Downey Jr., WILL Return
Stephen Broussard is referring to the cast of characters and performers that Marvel Studios typically has available when he says that Robert Downey Jr. and his armored Avenger are no longer on the table. This most likely refers to actors who are no longer employed by the studio or in regular contact with them.
Since they have already announced their official MCU exits, Chris Evans’ Captain America and Scarlett Johansson’s Black Widow likely fall under the same “off the table” category as Downey Jr. Yet, this does not negate the prospect of these venerable Avengers making a special cameo in the future.
Earlier speculations about the big event Avengers: Secret Wars in 2026 suggested Marvel Studios wanted to “include as many heavy hitters as they can.” The MCU Originals are an obvious choice given that this cast will feature classic characters like Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man and Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine.
Include at least a few of these well-known actors in The Kang Dynasty and Secret Wars, since Marvel Studios will be trying to create as much buzz as possible. To realize that, one only needs to consider how rumors about Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield’s comebacks influenced the success of Spider-Man: No Way Home at the box office.
Nevertheless, given the kind of financial commitment bringing these stars back will require, fans shouldn’t regrettably hope for it to happen frequently. It is also nearly assured that it will happen on the big screen, not Disney+. It is quite improbable that they will show up in anything less than an Avengers-level big movie.
Disney+ now has all three Iron Man movies available for viewing. On May 2, 2025, Avengers: The Kang Dynasty will be released in theatres, and on May 1, 2026, Avengers: Secret Wars will do the same.
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