One of Tony Stark’s popular characteristics might be a heartwarming callback to the first Iron Man.

Robert Downey Jr. has been instrumental in building the MCU and making it what it is today. Downey Jr.’s Iron Man was the first character that Marvel Studios kicked off within their planned cinematic universe. The character became the leader of the Avengers and also dealt with some personal issues and complexities within him in his solo films as well.

A soldier insists on taking a picture with Robert Downey Jr.’s Tony Stark in Iron Man

One of the trademark actions of Tony Stark is his frequent use of the peace sign in different films. In the first Iron Man, a soldier who’s protecting him does the same pose while trying to take a photo together with Stark. However, the soldier died saving him and there has been an ongoing discourse that Tony frequently does the now-iconic move to honor the fallen soldier.

Tony Stark’s Trademark Peace Sign Might Be a Befitting Callback to Iron Man

Tony Stark’s peace sign (from Iron Man 2) has become a recurring move from the character

Robert Downey Jr.’s flamboyant billionaire character Tony Stark appeared in several MCU films and was the leading character alongside Chris Evans’ Captain America. Audiences loved the sarcastic and witty character from the first Iron Man itself, with Downey Jr. becoming a huge movie star following its success and further appearances in the MCU.

One of Tony’s trademark moves is the frequent use of the peace sign when he converses with different people. He does it when he escapes the cave in Iron Man, all the way up to his last appearance in Avengers: Endgame when he comes back to help the team. Fans have come up with a possible reason behind this and it is actually heartwarming (via Reddit).

In the beginning portions of the first Iron Man, a soldier poses with the peace sign while trying to take a photo with Tony Stark. While Tony is initially not comfortable, he fulfills the soldier’s wishes. Later on, the soldier gets killed when terrorists ambush their convoy. The theory is that Tony remembers the last happy moment of the soldier and thus picks up the habit of using the peace sign as an homage to the fallen soldier (via Film Easter Eggs & Details on X).

While it is just a theory, it provides a heartfelt tribute to the soldier who died trying to save him. The character has always had one goal in the franchise, which is to protect Earth from any threats. Thus, he frequently flaunts the peace sign till his last appearance and sacrifices his life to bring peace to the universe.

Robert Downey Jr. Warns Fans to Never Bet Against Kevin Feige

Despite his fitting sendoff in Avengers: Endgame, Robert Downey Jr. won’t mind returning as Tony Stark

Robert Downey Jr. and Marvel head honcho Kevin Feige have had an incredibly successful relationship over the years, creating a large interconnected universe that no one thought would work. Feige has been the mastermind in moulding and placing different pieces together through the MCU’s initial phases.

While the MCU might be struggling right now, Downey Jr. believes that Feige will ensure everything falls into place again. In an interview with Esquire, the actor that his role as Iron Man is too integral a part of his DNA. He warned naysayers to never bet against Feige believing that it is a losing bet and he will always win. Downey Jr. said,

“It’s too integral a part of my DNA. That role chose me. And look, I always say, never, ever bet against Kevin Feige. It is a losing bet. He’s the house. He will always win.”

The actor also told Esquire that he would be happy to return as Iron Man in a heartbeat. Avengers: Endgame‘s directors have voiced their concerns about his statement, but with the multiverse saga going on, anything is possible.

Downey Jr. is currently starring in the HBO series The Sympathizer streaming on Max.

Watch Downey Jr. in Iron Man and other MCU films on Disney+.