Robert Downey Jr.’s portrayal of Tony Stark, also known as Iron Man, has become a legendary character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The actor’s departure from the franchise after the events of Avengers: Endgame left a huge void in the hearts of fans, and many are still hoping for his return in upcoming MCU movies.
And just like fans from all over the world, the Avengers 5 star Jonathan Majors, too, wants Robert Downey Jr. to be back on screen.
Jonathan Majors Hints at RDJ’s Return as Iron Man in Avengers: Secret Wars
In a recent interview with Lifehacker’s Lauren Rouse, the Ant-Man 3 star Jonathan Majors hinted that he would love to see Robert Downey Jr. return as Iron Man in the upcoming film Avengers: Secret Wars. Majors expressed his admiration for Downey Jr. as an actor and the impact he had on the superhero movie culture with his portrayal of Iron Man.
“This is like a Robert Downey Jr. day, he just keeps popping in [to my head]. Like, I know he’s an OG. I mean, he’s one of the originals. I’m just such a huge fan of him as an actor. I think what he did with Iron Man was such a gift to the culture at large.”
He went on to say that he would love to be across from him on screen and see how their acting and character philosophies match up.
“I would love to be across from him on screen to see how our philosophies, acting-wise and character-wise, just personally, match up. You know, I find him to be such a fascinating artist, which is why Iron Man is so fascinating. His portrayal of Iron Man is so fascinating and he represents a very clear world view and energy of the Avengers. And I think Kang represents a different era.”
As the MCU prepares for the highly anticipated films Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and Avengers: Secret Wars, fans are wondering whether one of the two films could bring back Robert Downey Jr.
The return of Robert Downey Jr.: The connection between Iron Man and Kang
The absence of Robert Downey Jr.’s Iron Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe has been felt since his last appearance in Avengers: Endgame in 2019. With the MCU advancing in its storyline, fans have been left wondering about the possibility of Iron Man’s return.
One of the most popular theories among fans is that Iron Man could return through time travel. The MCU has already established time travel as a plot device, and it wouldn’t be surprising if it was used again to bring Iron Man back into the picture.
Moreover, the connection between Iron Man and Kang, also known as Iron Lad, is an intriguing one that offers a plausible reason for Robert Downey Jr.’s return as Iron Man in the upcoming Secret Wars. In the comic book universe, Kang is a master of time travel who often finds himself crossing paths with the Avengers.
This could involve Jonathan Majors’s Kang using his time-traveling abilities to bring Iron Man from a different timeline or reality into the main MCU timeline. A multiverse storyline would allow Downey Jr. to return to the MCU in a way that makes sense within the continuity of the franchise.
With the concept of a multiverse already established in the MCU through Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, this would be a logical and exciting way for Downey Jr. to reprise his role as Iron Man in Secret Wars.
This, combined with his connection to Iron Lad, provides the perfect setup for a multiverse storyline that could bring Downey Jr. back into the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
With Downey Jr.’s popularity as the character and Kang’s connections to the Iron Man mythology, this could be a thrilling addition to the MCU and a treat for fans who have been eagerly awaiting Downey Jr.’s return to the franchise.
Fans can only hope that this rumor becomes a reality, and Iron Man makes his much-anticipated return to the big screen in Secret Wars. The movie is slated to release on 1 May 2026.
Kang will make his appearance as the major villain in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania releasing on 17th February 2023.
Source: The Direct
