Summary
Iron Manactor Robert Downey Jr. clarified that he is against Marvel Studios using artificial intelligence to revive Tony Stark in the MCU. The Academy Award-winning even has a plan to ensure AI isn’t used to bring him back after he is no longer with us.
Avengers: Endgamefamously concluded with Downey Jr.‘sIron Manusing all six Infinity Stones to defeat Thanos and his army. The heroic act cost Iron Man his life, but fans have wondered if Downey Jr. might reprise his role in afuture MCU project likeAvengers: Secret Wars. Theoretically, Marvel Studios could use AI to bring back Iron Man even if Downey Jr. isn’t interested in playing the character again. However, Downey Jr. revealed that his legal team is prepared to take action if his likeness is used without permission.
Downey Jr. recently appeared on theOn With Kara Swisherpodcast to discuss his Broadway debut in the playMcNeal, which exploresthe ramifications of AI. When asked about his feelings on AI recreations, Downey Jr. said, “There’s two tracks. How do I feel about everything that’s going on? I feel about it minimally because I have an actual emotional life that’s occurring that doesn’t have a lot of room for that.” Downey Jr. also expressed confidence that the current Marvel Studios executives won’t use AI to recreate his version of Iron Man without permission.
To go back to the MCU, I’m not worried about them hijacking my character’s soul because there’s like three or four guys and gals who make all the decisions there anyway and they would never do that to me, with or without me
Swisher then raised the possibility of future Marvel Studios executives wanting to use AI tobring back Downey Jr.’s Iron Man. “Well, you’re right. I would like to here state that I intend to sue all future executives just on spec,” Downey Jr. said in response. When Swisher mentioned that Downey Jr. may be gone at that point, the actor bluntly responded, “But my law firm will still be very active.”
While Downey Jr.’s Iron Man return doesn’t seem likely for the foreseeable future, the acclaimed actor is revisiting the MCU in a new role. At San Diego Comic-Con 2024,Downey Jr. announced he would play Doctor DoominAvengers: Doomsday. During the announcement, the Russo brothers, who will directDoomsdayandAvengers: Secret Wars, referred to his character as “Victor von Doom” implying that Downey Jr. isn’t playing an evil Tony Stark variant. Some fans believe this casting decision is a desperate move considering Marvel Studios and Downey Jr. have arguably struggled to achieve the success they enjoyed during his tenure as Iron Man. Others are confident the actor can deliver a performance worthy of a villain as iconic as Doctor Doom.
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Iron Man
Iron Man is the first film in the long-running Marvel Cinematic Universe franchise. Robert Downey Jr. stars as Tony Stark, who becomes Iron Man after he is kidnapped and discovers terrorists are using weapons developed by Stark Industries. Gwyneth Paltrow stars as Tony’s love interest Pepper Potts, Jon Favreau as Happy Hogan, and Jeff Bridges as the villainous Obadiah Stane.
