In 2008, Robert Downey Jr. created the Marvel Cinematic Universe with Iron Man. For years, the star was the face of the MCU until his departure in Avengers 4: Endgame (2019). Since then, rumors have persisted that could be about a return, Iron Man 4 or even one Action star Tom Cruise recasts the Marvel hero turn. But what’s the point? This article clarifies some important questions.
1. Is Iron Man 4 Coming?
The last solo film Iron Man 3 was already 10 years ago and was extremely successful. A year later, Downey Jr. promised a fourth part at Ellen, but it never came. After 2013, Tony Stark only appeared in group adventures or someone else’s solo films (e.g. Spider-Man: Homecoming).
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As of now, Iron Man 4 is not in development at Marvel Studios. The superhero company always announces its upcoming films years in advance, and neither creators like Kevin Feige or Jon Favreau nor the studio have publicly confirmed a sequel.
2. Is Robert Downey Jr. returning to the MCU?
If not Iron Man 4, then maybe another movie? Tony Stark is dead in the MCU. Following comic book tradition, such a thing can be undone, especially when there is access to a multiverse with different versions of a person.
In July, news broke that Robert Downey Jr. was spotted with some fancy sports cars on the set of Captain America 4: Brave New World (via One Take News). An Easter egg from the Iron Man movies was also spotted on set, which could confirm an RDJ return, FandomWire reported.
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It cannot be ruled out that there will be a flashback with Tony Stark in Captain America 4. Recent statements from Robert Downey Jr. don’t exactly call for Marvel nostalgia, though. In an interview with The New York Times, the Oppenheimer star even described having doubts about his own talent after 11 years in MCU.
3. Will Tom Cruise be the new Tony Stark?
One of the craziest rumors has been following us for years: Tom Cruise should play a new Iron Man. The Top Gun and Mission: Impossible star would make an impressive replacement for Downey Jr. appear as Superior Iron Man. Screenwriter Michael Waldron later revealed that (to his knowledge) Marvel hadn’t approached Cruise, nor were any scenes filmed with him (via The Playlist).
However, the rumor mill continued to boil and turned to Avengers 5: The Kang Dynasty. According to a relevant leaker, Marvel Studios is said to be interested in engaging Tom Cruise.
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But that’s nothing more than a rumor. There is currently a lack of solid evidence that Tom Cruise will appear as Superior Iron Man in Avengers 5 or any other MCU film. The first answer is: No!
4. What does the future of Iron Man look like?
There is currently no future for Robert Downey Jrs. Iron Man in the MCU. The superhero universe is instead concerned with establishing its heirs. On the one hand, that would be the well-known War Machine (Don Cheadle). On the other hand, last year Black Panther: Wakanda Forever introduced the new heroine Ironheart (Dominique Thorne), who will have her own series on Disney+ next year.
Marvel Studios could also bring back Morgan Stark, Tony and Pepper’s baby daughter from Endgame.
So don’t get your hopes up for Iron Man 4 or a permanent return of Robert Downey Jr. to the MCU. After the resounding success of Oppenheimer, the star should have no urgent reason to go back into the Marvel machinery.
The next MCU film is the sequel to Captain Marvel. The Marvels will start in German cinemas on November 8, 2023.