Robert Downey Jr. has commented on returning as Iron Man, and while Avengers: Secret Wars is the fan-favorite place for him to do so, I think there is a better alternative. Downey is the most important actor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s history. The star was responsible for starting the franchise with a bang in 2008’s Iron Man and remained the main face of the MCU for an Iron Man trilogy and more for over a decade. While Avengers: Endgame saw Tony Stark die, that does not mean that he can’t come back.

While the actor previously seemed to be over the MCU, after his several awards for Oppenheimer, RDJ seems to be ready for a Marvel return. Recently, Downey Jr. revealed that he is open to returning as Iron Man, saying, “It’s just crazily in my DNA… I’ve become surprisingly open-minded to the idea.” With the MCU needing major wins after multiple controversial movies and series over the Multiverse Saga, RDJ’s Iron Man return would be better now than ever. While he, Chris Evans, and Scarlett Johansson could return in Avengers: Secret Wars, I want to see Iron Man before then.

Tony Stark Could Return As An AI In The MCU

Taking A Page From Marvel Comics

A.I. Iron Man in Marvel Comics

The MCU has the perfect setup for RDJ to repeat a famous storyline from Marvel Comics. In case he died, Tony Stark designed an A.I. that would essentially serve as a backup of himself to keep his legacy alive. In the comics, the A.I. was sent to a young genius Stark had been keeping tabs on — Riri Williams — with the A.I. Tony Stark then serving as a mentor to Ironheart. It was with the A.I.’s help that Riri took the next step to becoming a superhero under the Ironheart moniker.

I think the same could happen in the MCU. While RDJ and other major Marvel stars returning in Avengers: Secret Wars would make sense and be an exciting moment, the actor could return as the A.I. Tony Stark in two other projects before appearing in the Multiverse Saga’s finale. Ironheart could feature the start of the A.I. story from the comics, even if only for its final episode, setting up a larger role for Downey in his Iron Man return. As the A.I. Tony could operate Iron Man armors, I think RDJ could also play a major role in Armor Wars.

How Iron Man’s Return Could Help Ironheart And Armor Wars

The MCU Is Going Through Changes

War Machine in Iron Man 2 and Ironheart in Black Panther Wakanda Forever

Iron Man’s MCU return would be perfect for the shared universe by bringing back its most popular character when the franchise faces the most criticism it ever has. Downey Jr.’s possible return as Tony Stark could have its biggest impact on Ironheart and Armor Wars. If Marvel decided to follow the comics’ A.I. Tony Stark storyline, then I think it would catapult Dominique Thorne’s Riri Williams into becoming one of the most important characters in the MCU. If Riri has Tony as her mentor, just like Spider-Man previously had, then Ironheart’s MCU stock is bound to go up.

As for Armor Wars, no character has a closer bond to Rhodey than RDJ’s Tony Stark. The two were best friends, which plays a huge role in the controversial reveal in Secret Invasion that Rhodey had been swapped with a Skrull since Captain America: Civil War. The public outcry was about how War Machine was not there when Tony died; however, having Downey Jr. back as Iron Man could play a role in Rhodey accepting what he has lost and living his life again. With Armor Wars‘ status uncertain, RDJ back as Iron Man could help move the film forward.

Ironheart Finished Filming In 2022

War Machine, Iron Man, and Ironheart in the MCU

RDJ’s Iron Man return comments are timely for his MCU comeback. Not only could Marvel Studios use the return of its biggest star to combat criticism, but the studio has delayed the two projects that could have Iron Man return before Avengers: Secret Wars. Ironheart finished filming in November 2022. Despite that, the series has faced delays and has yet to premiere, with a current release set for some time in 2025.

Armor Wars was first conceived as a series before becoming a movie. The project has no filming start date set. Based on that, there is still time for Ironheart reshoots to add Donwey as the A.I. Tony Stark for multiple episodes, with Marvel working on the Armor Wars script to make Iron Man a major part of it. While I would enjoy it if RDJ ends up only coming back as Iron Man in Avengers: Secret Wars, I think a final multi-project arc as Iron Man that culminates in the Avengers movie would be more exciting.