- Robert Downey Jr. may be returning to the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Iron Man, following rumors and speculation about the future of the franchise.
- Talks have reportedly taken place about bringing back the original Avengers team, including Iron Man and Black Widow, who were killed off in Endgame.
- Despite being unconfirmed, comic books frequently retcon timelines and characters, making the return of these characters to the MCU a possibility.
Since the arrival of the multiverse and the end of Avengers: Endgame, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has seemingly struggled to meet the previously high expectations of fans. A new rumor suggests that Robert Downey Jr.’s Iron Man could make a return and help reignite the franchise.
Every day brings fresh gossip about potential new characters, crossovers, and developments in the world’s biggest movie franchise. While it is challenging to determine which rumors have merit, a recent suggestion that Robert Downey Jr. might return to the MCU as Iron Man seems to connect with more official reports.
Internet scooper MyTimeToShineHello posted on X (formerly Twitter) claiming that Downey Jr. has already agreed to return to the MCU for a new project. No specifics are mentioned about his role, but this claim follows a detailed Variety report discussing the possibility of the original Avengers team reuniting.
Variety’s report last week outlined the challenges currently faced by Marvel Studios, including overworked visual effects artists and decreasing box office earnings. Despite these setbacks, the studio is far from being considered a failure. However, with The Marvels expected to be one of the lowest-earning movies in the entire franchise, it has become apparent that something is not working within the superhero series.
In the Variety report, it was suggested that talks have been held about bringing back the original 2012 Avengers team. The report stated: “Sources say there have been talks to bring back the original gang for an “Avengers” movie. This would include reviving Robert Downey Jr.’s Iron Man and Scarlett Johansson’s Black Widow, both of whom were killed off in “Endgame.” (That shouldn’t be a stumbling block — in comic books, beloved characters are often killed off, only to be resurrected thanks to the power of things like the multiverse.)”
Until Marvel Studios officially confirms it, such information should be treated cautiously. However, as noted in Variety’s report, comic books are known for retconning timelines and character stories, making it possible for the MCU to do the same. Warner Bros. has pursued similar strategies with their many Batman reboots.
Marvel fans anticipating the current state of the franchise can look forward to The Marvels’ release this Friday. The trailer for Captain Marvel’s return can be viewed below.