Robert Downey Jr. will officially step down as Iron Man after Infinity War

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

Well, ladies and gentleman, the time has come. The fantasy has ended and a dark reality is settling in. We got our first taste of it in March with LOGAN, and now we have to face the music once more: According to Deadline Robert Downey Jr. the man who has donned the red and gold armor for almost 10 years, will officially be stepping down as Tony Stark/Iron Man.

Downey has not come out with an official statement yet, but word is from some execs at Marvel that the actor has decided that after filming has wrapped on the upcoming INFINITY WAR he will no longer play the titular character of Iron Man. Not too many words were given, other than one source saying Downey “feels like it’s the right time” with the next two AVENGERS movies acting as a culmination of everything the MCU has done, starting with IRON MAN in 2008. Downey will reportedly use the time to explore other projects, including producing work with his wife and the upcoming DR. DOLITTLE movie. No! No! Please God, no! Nooooooooooooooooooooo!!! *simulates writhing and crying on the floor*

The actor’s contract was officially up after IRON MAN 3, but has still appeared in several movies (AVENGERS 2, CIVIL WAR), has one on the way (SPIDER-MAN in July) and is currently filming INFINITY WAR (the first out May 2018, 10 years to the weekend that IRON MAN came out). These outings were done movie-to-movie, so Downey was able to stop at any time. This news comes after LOGAN marked the final appearance as Wolverine, but no word yet on if the melancholic film had any influence on Downey’s decision.

This is obviously the worst thing ever to happen in the history of man and alien kind, especially considering we’re all still raw from LOGAN. But I guess we have to be mature about this, and say now may be the right time to hang up the iron suit. INFINITY WAR marks a big moment in the MCU, and after the fourth AVENGERS film (in 2019) the universe may look very different. Chances are Downey’s Iron Man never had a role in it, but now it’s actually official.

There’s no word yet on recasting, but that may be because too much would be given away. Does Stark die during the course of INFINITY WAR? Does he go on a Bruce Wayne quest for normalcy a la THE DARK KNIGHT RISES? Who knows. All I know is that I’m heartbroken, even though I’m trying to be a big boy and be understanding. Now this gives Downey an opportunity to do smaller movies (sans DOLITTLE) that capitalize on his versatility. What am I saying? Just stay! We’ll all chip in and pay your salary! *simulate holding onto Downey’s angle as he walks away*

SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING arrives July 7 and INFINITY WAR will follow May 4, 2018.