The First Avenger

MCU launcher Robert Downey Jr discusses the Stark realities of being Iron Man

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YOU ALL KNOW how he earns a living. A decade ago, Robert Downey Jr launched the MCU as Tony Stark in Iron Man, and has since then become the lynchpin of the franchise, with major appearances in seven of the 18 films. Now in his early fifties, and with his contract coming to an end with Avengers 4, it may soon be time for Downey Jr to explore life outside the steel suit. We caught up with him in-between takes on the Infinity War set.

What can you tell us that’s not a spoiler?

We can just sit in silence. Ruminating.

How does this feel? Like the beginning of the end in a way?

It doesn’t. It feels like a decade of signs and wonders. The future should be uncertain for anybody in this whole cinematic universe.

Let’s talk about Tony. Where is he when we pick him up?

To me the big question is could he ever in clear conscience pick up that flip phone Cap sent him at the end of Civil War. That is really it. For me I think back to Obadiah and that deception, and it’s one of those things. It’s why Steve Perry never went back to Journey.

That’s the analogy I was thinking of. Tony’s been worried about the end of the world for a while now. Where is he now in terms of that?