The Marvel Cinematic Universe is no stranger to long-buried seeds finally sprouting into major storylines, and one of the most intriguing setups from the Infinity Saga could be paying off in spectacular fashion. Ty Simpkins is reportedly set to reprise his role as Harley Keener—the clever Tennessee kid who befriended Tony Stark in Iron Man 3—in the highly anticipated Avengers: Doomsday. But the buzz doesn’t stop at a simple cameo: whispers from the fandom suggest that Harley’s return could culminate in him donning Iron Man-inspired armor during the film’s epic climax, effectively introducing the MCU’s version of Iron Lad.
Directed by Joe and Anthony Russo, Avengers: Doomsday marks a monumental shift for the franchise, bringing Robert Downey Jr. back—not as Tony Stark, but as the formidable Victor von Doom. With a multiversal threat looming and a massive ensemble reassembling, the stage is set for emotional reunions, shocking twists, and new heroes stepping into the spotlight. Amid this chaos, Harley Keener’s potential evolution into an armored powerhouse feels like the perfect bridge between Iron Man’s legacy and the next generation of Avengers.
Harley Keener first stole scenes in 2013’s Iron Man 3, where a young Ty Simpkins portrayed the resourceful boy who helped a stranded, PTSD-stricken Tony Stark rebuild his confidence and his suit. Their bond was genuine and heartfelt—Tony found a surrogate son figure, while Harley gained a mentor who saw his potential. The film ended with Tony gifting Harley a fully stocked workshop, hinting at a future where the kid might tinker his way into something extraordinary. Fans held onto that promise for years, and it seemed validated when an older Harley made a poignant appearance at Tony’s funeral in Avengers: Endgame, standing solemnly among Earth’s mightiest heroes.
Now, over a decade later, Simpkins—grown into a young adult with an impressive resume including horror hits like the Insidious series and Jurassic World—is poised for a bigger role. Rumors swirling around Doomsday paint Harley as a brilliant inventor who has spent the intervening years honing his skills, perhaps even accessing remnants of Stark technology. In a post-Tony world, where Riri Williams has emerged as Ironheart, Harley represents a more personal continuation of Stark’s mentorship—a protégé who knew Tony not as the invincible Avenger, but as a flawed, vulnerable human.
The most electrifying part of the speculation? Harley suiting up. While the comics’ Iron Lad is Nathaniel Richards—a teenage variant of Kang the Conqueror who rejects his villainous destiny and forms the Young Avengers—the MCU has always adapted freely. With Kang’s storyline pivoting amid real-world changes, Marvel appears ready to reinvent Iron Lad as an original creation: Harley Keener in sleek, Stark-inspired armor. This version keeps the core appeal—an intelligent young hero wielding advanced tech—while tying directly into Tony’s emotional legacy. The name “Iron Lad” evokes youthful ingenuity and armored prowess, perfectly suiting a character who once fixed the Mark 42 suit with spare parts and sheer determination.
Imagine the climax: As Doctor Doom unleashes multiversal havoc, threatening to rewrite reality or conquer worlds, the Avengers face overwhelming odds. In a moment of desperation, Harley arrives—perhaps having reverse-engineered old Stark schematics or collaborated with surviving allies like Pepper Potts or Rhodey. His armor, a blend of classic red-and-gold with modern, youthful flair, lights up the battlefield. Repulsors firing, flight stabilizers humming, he fights alongside legends, proving that Tony’s influence endures. It’s a full-circle payoff: the kid Tony believed in becomes the hero who helps save the day.
This development aligns beautifully with the Russos’ storytelling strengths. Known for blending spectacle with heart—think Captain America lifting Mjolnir or Tony’s sacrifice—the directors excel at earned emotional beats. Harley confronting a Doom who wears the face of his lost mentor would add layers of tragedy and rage. Downey Jr.’s performance, shifting from charismatic billionaire to cold, calculating tyrant, could mirror Tony’s darker impulses, forcing Harley to grapple with complicated grief. Does he see a ghost of his father figure in the villain, or pure corruption?
Beyond the personal stakes, Harley’s emergence sets up the future. The MCU has been assembling Young Avengers pieces—Kate Bishop as Hawkeye, Cassie Lang as Stature, Kamala Khan as Ms. Marvel, Billy and Tommy Maximoff with powers, America Chavez punching through realities. An armored leader like Iron Lad (or whatever variant name Marvel chooses) completes the team, providing tech support, strategy, and a direct link to the original Avengers’ era. Projects like Young Avengers or expanded roles in Secret Wars could follow, giving Simpkins a starring platform.
Fan excitement is palpable. Social media erupts with concept art of Harley in gleaming suits, debates over helmet designs, and heartfelt posts about finally seeing Tony’s “kid” grow up. Simpkins himself has long expressed enthusiasm for returning, once saying he’d “love” to suit up and carry the Iron Man torch. At 24, he brings maturity and relatability, evolving Harley from precocious child to confident young hero without losing the wide-eyed spark that charmed audiences.
Of course, in the secretive world of Marvel, nothing is official until the credits roll. But the pieces fit too neatly to ignore: a character planted with purpose, an actor eager to return, and a saga needing fresh blood amid multiversal mayhem. Avengers: Doomsday promises to be a collision of past and future, villains and victors, loss and legacy. If Harley Keener does indeed armor up in the final act, it won’t just be fan service—it’ll be a triumphant affirmation that Tony Stark’s greatest invention wasn’t a suit, but the inspiration he left behind.
As the countdown to the film begins, one thing feels certain: Harley’s back, and this time, he’s ready to fly. The MCU’s next chapter could feature its most poignant passing of the torch yet, turning a forgotten sidekick into an icon for a new era.
