Despite Rumors, Robert Downey Jr Is Not Returning To The MCU Anytime Soon
Image Source: CinemaBlend
Fans continue to speculate if or when Robert Downey Jr will return as Iron Man as the subsequent phases of the Marvel Cinematic Universe unfold. However, in a recent interview with io9, Stephen Broussard, Marvel Studios Vice President of Production & Development, mentioned there is no future for Downey to return.
“Well, I think one of the meta-narratives of Phase Four was about new characters. It was about new people stepping into mantles. If you look at like Cassie [Lang in ‘Quantumania’] getting a suit and Kate Bishop [in ‘Hawkeye’], new characters being introduced like Jack in Werewolf by Night. After these first ten years of Marvel storytelling, torches are being passed, like with Robert Downey Jr. no longer being [on the] table and stuff like that. So it was kind of like a new generation stepping to the forefront, which, again, has always happened in the comics.”
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Source: The Nerd Stash
As the Multiverse Saga develops into phase five, many fans speculate Downey will appear in the upcoming Armor Wars film, focusing on Stark’s good friend James Rhodes; or even appear in the announced sixth Avengers film: Avengers: Secret Wars.
Downey recently made a cryptic comment concerning his future in the MCU, saying he was “alighted, for now,” but hinted, “never say never.” While promoting Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, actor Jonathan Majors voiced his support for seeing Downey return, saying, “I would love to be across from him on screen to see how our philosophies, acting-wise and character-wise, just personally, match up…His portrayal of Iron Man is so fascinating, and he represents a very clear worldview, an energy of the Avengers. And I think Kang represents a different era.”
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Sources: The Direct