It’s long been understood that next year’s Avengers: Endgame will mark the end of an era for the MCU, serving as the culmination point for the first twenty-two films in the saga, while passing the torch to a new generation of heroes. Nonetheless, it seems that a lot of fans aren’t yet ready to let go of their old favorites, and in the wake of the latest reaffirmation that Robert Downy Jr.’s contract is set to expire, social media has yielded some worryingly intense responses.
The recent tweet that started this fresh outpouring of emotions came from Robert Downey Jr. UK, who shared the “BREAKING NEWS” that the Iron Man actor’s contract ends with Endgame:
BREAKING NEWS: @RobertDowneyJr’s contract ends with #AvengersEndgame pic.twitter.com/JDkxqS2ElO
— Marvelous ⎊ (@MarvelousRDJ) December 24, 2018
Though this shouldn’t be the most surprising of announcements, the fans were still sent into a state of panic and despair at the mere thought of Tony Stark departing from the series:
I have serious doubts on my love for avengers after hearing this news ! #Avengers #NotHappy https://t.co/ljAmRwMxkJ
— taapsee pannu (@taapsee) December 26, 2018
if robert downey jr’s contract really ends with avengers: endgame so next year will be the last time we see tony stark in the big screen i’m gonna kill myself 🙂
— tiny t⎊ny (@woIvern) December 24, 2018
https://twitter.com/hiddlesherlock/status/1077244857394049024?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1077244857394049024&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fcomicbook.com%2Fmarvel%2F2018%2F12%2F27%2Frobert-downey-jr-marvel-iron-man-contract-expires-fan-reaction%2F
https://twitter.com/pariharnikhil7/status/1078113776103124995?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1078113776103124995&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fcomicbook.com%2Fmarvel%2F2018%2F12%2F27%2Frobert-downey-jr-marvel-iron-man-contract-expires-fan-reaction%2F
Others, meanwhile, are choosing to stay optimistic, holding onto the hope that the star’s contract may still be renewed:
PETITION FOR ROBERT DOWNEY JR. TO RENEW CONTRACT PLEASE. https://t.co/2iv8TxqS7H
— Zar (@ZarDonato) December 26, 2018
@RobertDowneyJr pls tell me that you are renewing your contract please im not ready to let Tony and u go pic.twitter.com/nmX9NRsU4e
— dee (@liabilidee) December 26, 2018
https://twitter.com/Tonys_Iron_Girl/status/1077170971272826880?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1077170971272826880&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fcomicbook.com%2Fmarvel%2F2018%2F12%2F27%2Frobert-downey-jr-marvel-iron-man-contract-expires-fan-reaction%2F
A minority of responses, however, are from fans who feel like Downey’s had a good enough run already in the MCU, and wish him all the best as he moves onto the next phase of his career:
Contract can be renewed but he played enough #ironman roles for over a decade now @RobertDowneyJr it's more than enough now let him concentrate on new roles of his life and new movies ,keep us entertained in with different roles !
— JAYARAJ RG 🇮🇳 (@JAYARAJRG19) December 26, 2018
While there’s always a chance that the cinematic universe still holds a place for Stark beyond Phase 3, the upcoming Endgame certainly looks like as good a place as any to wrap up Iron Man’s journey, and after more than a decade in the role, you couldn’t hold it against Downey if he felt like enough was enough.
Whether Stark’s journey will end in quiet retirement or tragedy, however, is another matter entirely, and we’ll find out when Avengers: Endgame hits theaters on April 26th, 2019.
