One of the big questions fans have going into Infinity War is which of the founding Avengers is going to meet their end? We’ve repeatedly been teased that there are some major deaths in the event movie and so one of the original six heroes is surely up for the chop. And one of those with the biggest question mark over his head is Robert Downey Jr.’s Iron Man.
The character has been the mascot of the MCU for the past decade, but how long can that continue? Could Infinity War, or more likely its sequel, Avengers 4, see the demise of Tony Stark? While speaking with The Hindu Times, co-director Joe Russo was asked this very question and he gave a carefully-worded reply, saying that while RDJ loves playing Iron Man, he can’t do it forever.
“He can’t play the character forever. I am sure there are lots other things he wants to do in his career. But he loves playing the character, I know that, and we love working together. We will see where it goes from here.”
Fans have long theorized that Tony may sacrifice himself to save the universe in the final fight against Thanos. Downey Jr.’s pose on the Infinity War poster didn’t do anything to squash that line of thinking, either, as you could say that the character looks like he’s being crucified. We’re sure you don’t need us to explain the importance of that symbolism.
What’s more, Downey Jr. himself has hinted that Infinity War will make some “very definitive” changes to the MCU which can’t be unwritten. He said that there was an odd atmosphere on set as each of the actors wondered if it was them that was going to bow out of the franchise soon. But could it be RDJ himself? All will be revealed when Avengers: Infinity War smashes onto cinema screens on April 27th.
