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It’s a well-known tactic in Hollywood that has been used for ages – and it likely clarifies why Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger are still in the acting business. If your long-standing action franchise is having trouble making as much money as it used to, simply bring back the person (and let’s be honest, it’s usually a man) who was responsible for its initial success.
This is the main purpose behind the creation of films like Terminator Genisys and Terminator: Dark Fate (whether for better or worse). However, for those hoping that the struggling superhero saga of Marvel would be revitalized by bringing back Robert Downey Jr’s Iron Man, they will have to search elsewhere for their beloved comic book hero’s return. In an interview with Vanity Fair, Marvel’s top boss Kevin Feige has rejected the idea, discussing Downey Jr’s current career phase and explaining that reintroducing this version of Tony Stark would ruin the dramatic conclusion of Avengers: Endgame, where the character sacrifices himself for the greater good.
“We will preserve that moment and not revisit it,” stated Feige. “We have all dedicated countless years of hard work to reach that point, and we would never want to undo it in any manner.”
There has been talk since Marvel started incorporating the concept of the multiverse in their recent movies that Downey Jr could potentially make a comeback through a switch to an alternate reality. This is supported by the fact that the current version of Loki played by Tom Hiddleston is a variant of the one killed by Thanos in Avengers: Infinity War, and that Zoe Saldana’s Gamora in Guardians of the Galaxy is a previous version of the character who was killed by Thanos in the same film. So why not bring back the most iconic face of the MCU, especially since this would allow the studio to have both options?
Feige’s reasoning is valid. If significant moments in a film require effort to be impactful, it is unwise to diminish their importance by suggesting that death is not final. The introduction of the multiverse allows for endless possibilities, but there are still guidelines that prioritize satisfying the audience rather than following quantum mechanics.
It is somewhat ironic that bringing back Downey Jr’s Iron Man is seen as a solution to the current problems in the MCU, as the franchise’s success has always been rooted in the belief that characters are the true stars of comic book movies, not the actors portraying them. Chris Hemsworth, a relatively unknown Australian actor, rose to fame by playing Thor, and Tom Holland, who was not well-known before being cast as Spider-Man, has become a fan-favorite.
The Marvel method was a refreshing departure from the traditional marketing-driven casting process. Despite the heavy makeup, Arnold Schwarzenegger’s portrayal of Mr. Freeze in Batman & Robin was always recognizable as the Austrian actor rather than Batman’s icy adversary. Sylvester Stallone’s portrayal of Judge Dredd in 1995, where he frequently removed his helmet, was met with criticism. However, Tom Holland’s portrayal of Spider-Man, as well as the actors playing Hulk and Captain Marvel, were fully embraced as the characters they portrayed. Even when Marvel changed the actor playing a different version of Captain America, there were no complaints.
However, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is clearly feeling the absence of Iron Man. It seems unfair that despite the character’s immense popularity and success in numerous movies, he can no longer be used. Unlike DC, which can easily replace actors and change storylines for its superheroes, Marvel cannot do the same. This is because fans have become so invested in Robert Downey Jr.’s portrayal of Iron Man that it would be seen as a betrayal to have someone else take on the role.
The studio should consider casting a different actor to play a multiversal variant before the character’s absence becomes permanent, similar to a retired sports team jersey. While Robert Downey Jr did an excellent job as Tony Stark, the success of the MCU shouldn’t determine when we get to see the character again. Rumor has it that Tom Cruise enjoys flying at high speeds through the sky.
Source: theguardian.com
