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Robert Downey Jr.’s stay at Marvel has been decidedly one of the factors that have still kept the Marvel fandom’s unifying thread bound together – in love and loss, in grief and mourning, in victories and tragedies. The actor’s exit hits hard not in the portrayal of his on-screen martyrdom, but in manifold and indescribable ways: we are reminded not just of the perfect life he created amid immense hopelessness but also of that which he gave up to save an imperfect world.
Also read:‘The man had a good ending and people want to cheapen that’: Fans Support Marvel Boss Confirming Robert Downey Jr.’s Iron Man Won’t Fight Kang inSecret WarsRumors
Tragedies have always created great epics throughout history and the life of Robert Downey Jr. – on-screen and off – has remained a subject of great fascination. And none has been loved so much as the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Iron Man since his genesis in the late Noughties.
Robert Downey Jr.’s MCU Return: Yay or Nay?
Since the actor’s grand exit from the Marvel stage, a thought has constantly haunted the people standing huddled at the shores of the MCU Phase Three. Some are yet to let go and bid farewell to the nostalgia and memories that hold them to the Infinity Saga. For some, maybe the idea of RDJ returning to the new era provides momentary relief. To others, the thought itself may be abhorrent.
Also read:Jonathan Majors Confirms Robert Downey Jr.’s Iron Man is Returning To MCU To Fight Kang inSecret Wars? The entire Marvel Fanbase is on High Alert after Marvel Star Spills the Beans
In a recent panel, veteran Marvel actor, Mark Ruffalo has done little to ease the knot of tension for either group. Ruffalo is one of the only three Avengers from the original era still actively surviving in the new world order left in the wake of Iron Man and Black Widow’s sacrifice. And in his words, the era of time travel doesn’t exclude any possibility in its entirety, even though the two Avengers are gone:
“Sad, but there is a time machine. And there are alternate universes and realities, so anything could happen.”
However, at the same time, Ruffalo also clarified that this was not him giving away some future plans that Marvel has in development:“I’m not going to say it’s not possible, but I’m not going to say it is.”
Also read:Robert Downey Jr.’s MCU Return With a Cameo inAvengers: Secret WarsDiminishes Iron Man’s Death inAvengers: Endgame
Fans React to Mark Ruffalo’s Claims of RDJ’s MCU Return
Even after the Marvel exec and VP of Production & Development, Stephen Broussard’s exclusive claim that Robert Downey Jr. is“no longer on the table”at the studio now, Ruffalo’s claim has aided in sparking some untimely hope among the fandom. Twitter has not taken to it kindly.
Mark Ruffalo has teased Robert Downey Jr.’s potential#MCUreturn:
“There is a time machine… And there are alternate universes and realities, so anything could happen…” Full quote:https://t.co/cIejB2R7jUpic.twitter.com/kIyCKm18KK
— MCU – The Direct (@MCU_Direct)August 19, 2025
I love Downey and Tony as much as anybody, but I believe he should not return to the MCU. His send-off was perfect. Don’t soil it.
— MarvelFanRave #ActuallyAutistic (@marvelfanrave)June 04, 2025
https://twitter.com/7snKwt/status/1632526170653597702
Iron Man fought so hard to go out in such a heroic way, bringing him back is kind of a waste of a sacrifice. I love him so much, but sometimes you gotta let go. Besides, RDJ has so many other neat projects he’s working on. He’s never going to stop being amazing.
— constant.state.of.panic (@WhyPanicAgain)August 15, 2025
For the love of God please let Iron Man go !!pic.twitter.com/DtdTVV3ng4
— SHAKITANIQUA (@LalaCosha)June 09, 2025
https://twitter.com/Winthertainment/status/1632523090340069377
Even thought we all know the MCU is not the same without Iron Man,no need to ruin my man’s legacy,his farewell story is perfect.
— Halbabe (@HalJordanbabe)July 30, 2025
Even if Tony Stark aka Iron Man returns to the scene as a Variant inSecret Wars, it will be a tad bit too exploitative, even by CBM standards. The comic book world of evergreen immortality on the glossed pages of paperback graphic novels does not translate on the big screens and the studio should know better than to broach the subject of resurrections in the modern era of limitless possibilities in filmmaking. Marvel does not have a shortage of IPs, even on their worst days.
TheIron Mantrilogy andAvengers: Endgameare now available for streaming on Disney+.
Source:Mean and Green: Mark Ruffalo Spotlight [Emerald City Comic Con]
Diya Majumdar
Senior Writer
Articles Published :2409
Diya Majumdar is a Senior Content Writer at FandomWire with over 2000 published articles on the website. Since 2022, she has been working as an entertainment journalist with a special focus on films and pop culture.Among the countless genres and themes of Hollywood, the ones that particularly favor Diya’s tastes include Game of Thrones, DC, and well-aged thrillers and classics.
