Tony Stark about to use the Infinity Stones in Avengers Endgame

Robert Downey Jr. shares a hopeful update about his chances of returning as Iron Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. After leading the MCU for over a decade, Downey’s time as Tony Stark came to an end in 2019’s Avengers: Endgame. Despite Iron Man’s emotional death, there are a few ways Downey could come back in future Marvel movies, especially since the Multiverse Saga is in effect, and RDJ’s new Iron Man comments only make Tony Star’s MCU return chances better.

During an interview with actress Jodie Foster for Variety‘s Actors on Actors, Robert Downey Jr. revealed he is “open-minded to the idea” of returning as Iron Man. The actor talked about how much he sees of himself in Tony Stark, saying, “It’s just crazily in my DNA.” After three Iron Man movies, four Avengers films, and more, there is still much that can be done with Tony Stark in the MCU if Downey agrees to return. Check out the full exchange below:

FOSTER: Would you think of putting the suit back on again for Tony Stark?

DOWNEY: It’s just crazily in my DNA. Probably the most like-me character I’ve ever played, even though he’s way cooler than I am. I’ve become surprisingly open-minded to the idea.

How RDJ Could Return To The MCU As Iron Man After Tony Stark’s Death

Iron Man Does Not Need To Be Resurrected

Robert Downey Jr as Tony Stark putting on the Iron Man suit in Iron Man (2008)

The biggest problem with a possible RDJ return as Iron Man would be the chance that it could impact Tony Stark’s sacrifice from Avengers: Endgame. However, there are some easy ways to work around that. After all, Marvel does not need to resurrect Iron Man to have Downey back in the MCU. In the comics, after Tony’s death, an AI version of him continued as a hero and served as a mentor to Ironheart, which could be explored in Marvel’s upcoming Ironheart series and movies.

If the AI route is not the chosen one, the MCU could use the multiverse for its Iron Man return. After a long absence, 2026 and 2027 will see the release of two Avengers movies. The films, and especially, Avengers: Secret Wars, could include several multiverse heroes from other Marvel live-action films outside the MCU, past MCU stars, and newcomers to the franchise. Downey could play one or more variants of Iron Man instead of the Tony Stark from Earth-616, thus not interfering with Avengers: Endgame‘s events.

Like in Avengers: Endgame, Marvel Studios could also go back to time travel. The plot device would allow Downey to play his version of Iron Man in the MCU while not messing with Tony Stark’s sacrifice. RDJ’s Iron Man could be pulled from an earlier point in the timeline, allowing the audience to see the actor return as the character he played for several years. The original Avengers cast is rumored to return to the MCU for at least Avengers: Secret Wars, and RDJ’s Iron Man comments make his MCU return more likely.