Yes, we’re knee-deep in Oscar discussion for the next month, but we can’t really talk about the biggest and best films of 2019 without mentioning “Avengers: Endgame.” Despite the lack of any “big” Oscar noms, ‘Endgame’ finished 2019 as the biggest theatrical release of all time and one of the most well-received superhero films ever. And most of that hinges on the performance from Robert Downey, Jr, in his Iron Man swansong.
READ MORE: ‘Dolittle’: It’s Time For A Mercy Killing To Put Down This Ailing Franchise [Review]
But would he ever return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, especially after what seemed to be the best possible ending for his character? Well, during an appearance on the Joe Rogan Podcast, Downey, Jr. was asked point-blank if he’d ever return to the character. His answer is pretty definitive, while also not completely ruling out the possibility.
“If I picked the jersey up and put it back on, wouldn’t you feel a little bit like, oh crap?” Downey Jr. asked, alluding to the idea that fans would feel cheated if he erased the ending of ‘Endgame.’
“To me, starting up again is off the table,” explained Downey, Jr. “I feel like I’ve done all I could with that character. There would have to be a super compelling argument and a series of events that made it obvious. But the other thing is, I wanna do other stuff.”
He added, “I am so pleased, just that, I wound up where I have. I’m very fortunate so, I’m not the kind of guy who – I want to try to keep it classy. We’ll see.”
I mean, we all know what “we’ll see” means, right? We’re adults. We know that it would take something truly monumental for Downey, Jr. to suit up as Tony Stark one more time. Creatively, it would take something involving the multiverse or time-travel to even have fans buy it. And then, it would likely take the biggest dump truck full of cash to even make it worth his while as an actor. (Keep in mind, he gets a nice cut of that ‘Avengers’ backend.) All that to say, it ain’t happening.
In the meantime, fans can rewatch the various appearances of Tony Stark throughout the first two dozen MCU films. And if they want new Downey, Jr. goodness, then you’ll have to endure “Dolittle,” arriving in theaters this weekend. (The reviews, including our own, are not very complimentary.)
