Iron Man 4: Would a New Film Tarnish Tony Stark's Legacy?

Would a return to the story of Tony Stark, in a potential "Iron Man 4," be a welcome addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, or would it risk diminishing his impactful ending? This is the question sparking debate among MCU enthusiasts.

The discussion originated on Reddit, where a user wondered about Tony Stark's activities during the five-year period known as the "Blip," after Thanos' devastating snap. The user, LollipopChainsawZz, suggested that with villains still active, Stark could have been secretly saving the world while grappling with the trauma of his failure to prevent Thanos' initial victory.

This concept, pitched as a possible "finale for the character," has met with mixed reactions. While some fans are intrigued by the prospect of exploring this untold chapter, others believe that "Endgame" provided a definitive and fitting conclusion to Tony Stark's arc.

The Case Against: Leaving "Endgame" Untouched Many argue that revisiting Iron Man's story would be a disservice to the character's sacrifice and the emotional weight of "Endgame." One commenter, lushguy105, stated simply, "'Endgame' was his finale." The sentiment is that some things are best left untouched.

Concerns have also been raised about whether Marvel even *should* bring back Robert Downey Jr., especially considering rumors of him potentially playing Doctor Doom. Some fans feel that resources might be better spent on developing new characters and storylines.

Trauma and Reclusion: A Different Perspective Adding to the debate, some fans point out that Tony Stark was deeply affected by the events of "Infinity War," becoming reclusive and rarely donning his Iron Man suit until the final showdown with Thanos. As CaptainAksh_G noted, "Dude, the events of the blip in Infinity war gave Tony such trauma that I don't think he's worn a suit till Endgame."

Moving Forward: A Call for Fresh Stories Ultimately, many fans are urging Marvel to on the future rather than dwelling on the past. As JameSdEke put it, "At this point, Marvel needs to move forward and not backwards." The MCU has a vast array of characters and stories to explore, and some argue that revisiting Iron Man would be a step in the wrong direction. The consensus seems to be that while an "Iron Man 4" might draw viewers, it may not be what the MCU truly needs right now.