In exciting news for Marvel fans, a fan poster for Avengers: Secret Wars has sparked speculation about Robert Downey Jr.'s return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). The artwork, created by Instagram users @stacxtivist and @arifinity_, imagines Downey's character, Tony Stark/Iron Man, as the Superior Iron Man variant, facing off against Tom Holland's Spider-Man adorned in the iconic symbiote suit.
RDJ's last appearance as Iron Man was in 2019's Avengers: Endgame, where his character made the ultimate sacrifice to stop the powerful Thanos and his army. Since then, fans have been eagerly anticipating the return of the beloved actor to the MCU.
Tom Holland, on the other hand, continues to be a vital part of the MCU, reprising his role as Spider-Man in the upcoming Spider-Man 4 and is expected to play a significant role in the Avengers movies of the Multiverse Saga.
The idea of RDJ reprising his role as Iron Man has been a topic of discussion ever since a rumor circulated that Tom Cruise might portray the Superior Iron Man character in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. The fan poster has reignited these discussions, once again raising the possibility of RDJ's return as a variant of Tony Stark in Avengers: Secret Wars.
Reports from 2023 indicated that Marvel Studios was considering bringing back the original Avengers for another movie, making Avengers: Secret Wars the perfect opportunity for RDJ's potential comeback. RDJ's portrayal of Tony Stark was instrumental in launching the MCU with 2008's Iron Man, and his character's journey came to a fulfilling conclusion in Avengers: Endgame.
However, there are valid concerns about bringing Iron Man back to life after his poignant sacrifice. Tony Stark's selfless act to protect his loved ones and the universe allowed his character to go through a compelling transformation. Reversing this pivotal moment may risk diluting the impact of his story.
The concept of utilizing the multiverse in Avengers: Secret Wars, as suggested by the fan art, presents an intriguing solution. Envisioning Downey as Superior Iron Man, or any other multiverse variant of the character, could allow the MCU to explore new narratives while preserving the significance of Iron Man's sacrifice. This approach also aligns with the potential for various multiverse cameos in line with the comic book event that inspired the movie.
If RDJ were to make a cameo appearance as a multiverse variant of Iron Man in Avengers: Secret Wars, it would undoubtedly excite fans while not overshadowing the movie's multiverse-focused storyline or its ensemble cast. Such a project would provide a fitting opportunity for Downey to return to the MCU and, perhaps, reunite with Holland's Spider-Man.
As of now, there is no official confirmation about RDJ's involvement in Avengers: Secret Wars. However, fans will eagerly anticipate any news or trailers leading up to the film's release on May 7, 2027. The anticipation for this highly anticipated crossover event is only growing, and with the possibility of RDJ's return, the excitement is reaching new heights.
