Spider-Man: Far From Home is reportedly going to reveal one of Iron Man’s big secrets. At the premiere, however, Tom Holland was the one disclosing some information about the Tony Stark actor. When he was asked about Robert Downey Jr., the 23-year-old gave a heartfelt response and admitted at the end that he has a special nickname for his frequent co-star in his phone.
“He’s The Godfather in my phone,” Holland said. “He’s like RDJ the Godfather, that’s what I have him as.”
It’s definitely a label that fits. Without Downey Jr., there might not have been an MCU. He’s the one who kicked things off back in 2008 with Iron Man and has been a staple of the rapidly expanding franchise ever since.
His double-digit appearances in Marvel movies are easily the most of any character, too. He’s shown up in all three Iron Man movies, all four Avengers movies, Captain America: Civil War, Spider-Man: Homecoming, and a brief cameo in The Incredible Hulk. If anyone aside from Stan Lee is deserving of that moniker, it’s Downey Jr.
Unfortunately, Iron Man didn’t survive Avengers: Endgame. Though Tony Stark is expected to appear in at least one upcoming feature via flashback, his time onscreen likely won’t be anywhere near what it was in previous flicks.
Much like Michael Corleone in The Godfather, Holland could potentially fill in the veteran’s footsteps both on and offscreen. In terms of plot, the Avengers will need the younger heroes to step up and lead the newcomers now that Iron Man and Captain America are both gone.
In real life, meanwhile, the young superstar has expressed his willingness to star in double the amount of Marvel movies as his older counterpart. If this happens, it could make Holland an even bigger legend in the MCU than Downey Jr. himself. Then again, no Peter Parker actor has ever held onto the role for more than three standalone movies, so twenty would be quite the remarkable feat.
That’s talk for the distant future, though. For now, Holland has it absolutely right: Downey Jr. is undoubtedly the Godfather of the MCU.
