Summary
Robert Downey Jr.’s Iron Man makes hisMarvel Cinematic Universereturn in aSpider-Man 4theory, and if it turns out to be accurate, Marvel Studios would have one of the franchise’s most emotional projects on its hands.Marvel’s slate of projectsincludes several exciting movies and series, with entries likeThe Fantastic Four, the next two Avengers movies, andSpider-Man 4drawing the most attention. Given how Tom Holland’s firstMCU Spider-Man trilogyis among the franchise’s best, it makes sense thatanticipation is high for the return of his version of Peter Parker.
Every single one of Holland’s Spider-Man movies has featured a major role for an MCU character. That is part of the deal Sony and Marvel Studios made so that Holland’s Spider-Man could be part of the MCU while Sony still holds the character’s movie rights.Spider-Man: Homecomingfeatured Robert Downey Jr.’s Iron Man as Peter Parker’s mentor, continuing their relationship fromCaptain America: Civil War. Due to the hero’s death inAvengers: Endgame, Tony Stark was missing from Holland’s other Spider-Man movies. However, an MCU theory shows the perfect way for Iron Man to be part ofSpider-Man 4’s story.

I’m Excited About Tom Holland’s Spider-Man 4 Because Of An Impressive MCU Trend
Tom Holland will return to the MCU for Spider-Man 4, and based on a major trend of his Spider-Man trilogy, I can’t wait for his next MCU solo film.
Spider-Man 4 Theory: Peter Parker Creates AI Tony Stark
Spider-Man: No Way Home Set Up A New Chapter
Tony Stark is dead in the MCU. Sure, Marvel could change that to bring back Downey Jr. as the most popular MCU character, and the Multiverse Saga allows plenty of opportunities for that to happen. After Tom Cruise was rumored to play the Superior Iron Man version of the character, Downey could return as that version of Tony Stark or another multiverse variant of the hero.The MCU could also simply choose to resurrect Iron Man. Last year, it was reported thatMarvel considered a new Avengers movie with the original six.
For that to happen, Iron Man and Black Widow would reportedly be resurrected. The move would not be the best. While it is understandable that Marvel is considering the return of Downey as Iron Man after the recent criticism the MCU has faced, undoing the hero’s sacrifice would not be wise. Instead, a newSpider-Man 4theory suggests the perfect path for Iron Man to come back without meddling with the character’s fate fromAvengers: Endgame.In the comics, Tony Stark has come back after his death as an AI, andSpider-Man 4could repeat that.

Iron Man’s return would fit with Sony Motion Pictures Group chairman Tom Rothman’s comment thatSpider-Man 4will be “a significant event.”
Spider-Man: No Way Home’s ending left Peter Parker alone. Doctor Strange’s spell set up a new status quo for the hero, withSpider-Man 4following a Peter who lives alone and has been forgotten by his loved ones.According to the MCU theory, Peter would start feeling depressed, yearning for some kind of connection. Given his genius intellect, the character would then use whatever resources he could find to bring back Tony Stark, his mentor, as an AI. Iron Man’s return would fit with Sony Motion Pictures Group chairman Tom Rothman’s comment thatSpider-Man 4will be “a significant event.”

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AI Tony Stark’s Marvel Comics Origins Explained
Iron Man’s MCU Return Would Have A Precedent
Essentially,Spider-Man 4could have Peter Parker take another character’s place in the dynamic with the Iron Man AI.In Marvel Comics, Riri Williams, aka Ironheart, was the one who had a meaningful connection to Iron Man. After scouting her as a potential talent, Tony Stark created a backup of himself just in case he ever came to pass, and after his death, the AI version of the Marvel hero was sent to Riri. Under his guidance, Riri became Ironheart and went on to save a lot of people. In the MCU, Spider-Man would make sense instead of Ironheart.
Despite being an AI, Iron Man was still quite active.The AI version of Tony Stark could control his Iron Man armors, which meant that the hero could still help out others in the field even if a physical body was missing. The AI Tony Stark was a reconstruction of his consciousness, which led to the character developing identity issues due to not having a body. That could provide Downey Jr. with a fresh and interesting arc in his possible MCU return, something that could go in hand with the expected darker and more intimate tone ofSpider-Man 4.

I Know The MCU’s Best Way To Do Robert Downey Jr’s Iron Man Return & It’s Not Avengers 6
Robert Downey Jr. recently fueled hopes that he will return as Iron Man, and I think Tony Stark does not have to wait for Avengers: Secret Wars.
How Iron Man Coming Back As An AI Would Fit In The MCU
Tony Stark Could Appear In Multiple Projects
Downey Jr. is not getting any younger, andwith a rumored MCU reboot afterAvengers: Secret Wars, the time for Iron Man’s return is now. Through the AI version of Tony Stark, RDJ could fit into different MCU movies and series. BothSpider-Man 4and Disney+‘sIronheartseries could include the AI Stark. Like in the comics, Iron Man could guide Riri as she becomes a bona fide hero following her MCU debut inBlack Panther: Wakanda Forever, as well as continue the mentor relationship Iron Man had with Holland’s Spider-Man.
Another MCU project that would make a lot of sense for the AI Tony Stark to be a part of is theArmors Warsmovie. The project will deal with Stark Tech falling into the wrong hands.Armor Warswas initially developed as a TV series, though the project’s scope made it a movie. Development has since stalled, but Downey Jr.’s return as the AI Tony Stark could get the movie up and running. The AI Iron Man could protect Tony Stark’s legacy alongside War Machine and Ironheart. AI Iron Man could also star in the upcoming Avengers movies.

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Robert Downey Jr.’s MCU return as Iron Man has become more likely after his recent comments, and there are some perfect projects for Tony Stark.
Robert Downey Jr.’s Recent Iron Man Return Comments Help The Theory
Tony Stark’s MCU Return Is Looking Good
AfterAvengers: Endgame, it seemed like Downey was done with the MCU. However, ever since he won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his role in director Christopher Nolan’sOppenheimer, Iron Man’s MCU return has become more likely. That is due to a change of tone in the star’s comments about a possible Tony Stark comeback. Recently,Downey commented on an Iron Man return, saying,“It’s just crazily in my DNA… I’ve become surprisingly open-minded to the idea.“With Downey once again open to playing Iron Man, it seems like a matter of time before he is asked back.
After a wave of criticism in recent years, Marvel Studios is making internal changes. The studio will now focus on sequels and its biggest franchises, with a longer development pipeline before projects are ready.Downey’s Iron Man return would come at the best possible time for the MCU. The actor would bring back many of the fans that left the MCU behind, and if theSpider-Man 4theory is right, RDJ’s Iron Man return could fit in story-wise and avoid damaging the character’s MCU arc that was concluded inAvengers: Endgame.
Spider-Man 4
Cast
Spider-Man 4 is the first sequel to the MCU’s Spider-Man trilogy starring Tom Holland as the titular wall-crawler. After wiping his identity for the public’s memory in Spider-Man: No Way Home, Peter Parker continues his crime-fighting adventures without the aid of Iron Man technology or the support of his former allies.