With ‘Avengers: Infinity War’ premiering in just ten days, the Mighty Marvel Hype Machine is in full swing. Over the last few months, the actors, producers, and trailers have teased everything from character interactions to characters deaths. And of course, it’s that last one that has fans bracing for impact.
Of course, it’s not just the ‘Infinity War’ hype that has fans expecting characters to die (something that the filmmakers have walked right up to the line of confirming). It’s the fact that the first wave of Avengers are now reaching the end of their contracts. With the list of expiring contracts including Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, and Chris Evans, tears are sure to flow if one of their characters meets their end. But suppose they survive all survive. With their contracts fulfilled, just how “done” are they? The answers, of course, will vary, but based on some comments co-director Joe Russo has made on his ‘Infinity War’ press tour, Downey at least may be closer to the end of his time in Tony Stark’s armor than he is to the beginning.
“He can’t play the character forever. I am sure there are lots of 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… He never mentioned to us about leaving Iron Man, but it will happen at some point in time.”
But would Downey’s departure that – whether it comes in ‘Infinity War’ or at the climax of Phase Five – necessarily mean the end of the character? After all, Marvel Studios hasn’t exactly shied away from recasting their heroes (most notably War Machine and Hulk) in the past. But to be blunt, neither of those characters’ film incarnations had the sort of stature or popularity at the time they were recast that Downey’s Iron Man has had virtually from the word “go.” Even in the best case scenario, his would be particularly big shoes to fill. And those are shoes Russo isn’t sure anyone can fill.
“There is nobody who can take over Iron Man from Robert. I don’t think the audience would accept that.”
Is Russo right? Would you accept a new Iron Man? Let us know in the comments and be sure to check back for more on ‘Avengers: Infinity War’ and other future Marvel films as it becomes available!
Directed by the Russo brothers from a script by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely, ‘Avengers: Infinity War’ marks the culmination of a decade-long effort by Marvel Studios and sees the Avengers team up with the Guardians of the Galaxy to take on Thanos. The film counts Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Mark Ruffalo, Tom Holland, Karen Gillan, Paul Rudd, Chadwick Boseman, Benedict Cumberbatch, Elizabeth Olson, Sebastian Stan, and three gentlemen named “Chris” among its gargantuan cast. The long-awaited movie is set to arrive in theaters on April 27, 2018.
