What happens to the Avengers without Iron Man?

Tony Stark, aka Iron Man, left a huge void in the MCU with the legendary scene in Avengers: Endgame. Tony Stark, having used the Infinity Stones, sacrificed himself to annihilate Thanos and his army, thus concluding a decade of leadership and evolution within the Avengers.

This final scene not only marked the end of Iron Man, one of Marvel's most iconic characters, but also redefined the cinematic universe, which must now evolve without the pillar represented by Tony Stark.

Since that tragic moment, the Avengers have been reorganizing and looking for new gems to take up the torch. The task seems much harder than expected, with the disparition of other superheroes such as Captain America, aka Steven “Steve” Rogers, Natasha Romanoff (Black Widow) and even Vision, whose powers came from the Mind Stone.

Will Iron Man be back ?

Tony Stark's impact is indelible, but his return seems highly unlikely. Marvel has repeatedly expressed its desire to let the Iron Man story arc conclude with Avengers: Endgame. His sacrifice represents the conclusion of over ten years of character development, and bringing him back would risk minimizing the narrative impact of his death.

However, in a universe as vast as Marvel's, especially through the principle of the multiverse, returns are never totally excluded, as we saw with the alternative versions of Spider-Man in the film Spider-Man: No Way Home. There are also theories about the possibility of Robert Downey Jr. returning as Iron Man, notably through flashbacks, alternate realities or artificial intelligences, as in the comics, where Stark creates an AI version of himself after his death.

For the time being, the idea of a real Tony Stark return seems to have been ruled out, the priority being to hand over to a new generation of heroes, a task Marvel is struggling to see through.

Who will replace Iron Man ?

Iron Man's succession is one, if not the central topic in phase 4 and 5 of the MCU. Several characters are expected to take over from him. Among them:

• • Riri Williams, aka Ironheart, young prodigy who builds his own armor inspired by Stark's. Introduced in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and expected to return in the Ironheart series scheduled for 2025, she is the direct technological successor;
  
  
• • Peter Parker was also seen as a natural successor, notably through his mentor-student relationship with Tony Stark in the Spider-Man films. Although Peter is more of an autonomous hero, his Stark heritage is undeniable, given his relationship with Tony Stark, who might even seem like a father to him;
  
  
• • War Machine, played by James Rhodes, could take on a more central role as Iron Man's loyal ally, Tony Stark's best friend and the bearer of Iron Man technology.

But what about Thor ? The Guardians of the Galaxy ? Dr Strange (Stephen Strange) ? Spiderman (Peter Parker) ? Or even the Hulk (Bruce Banner) ? The list is long, and there's no shortage of contenders to ensure the future of the Avengers!

Ultimately, it's likely that the MCU will take a collective approach given the enormous influence left by Tony Stark within the Avengers, with many characters honoring Iron Man's legacy in their own way.

The presence of superheroes all different from one another, from Star-Lord (Peter Quill) to Wanda Maximoff (Scarlet Witch) in the final scene paying tribute to Tony Stark in the Avengers: Endgame movie, demonstrates the weight that Tony had within the Avengers.

Who will be the new Avengers ?

The number of new candidates has grown steadily since the end of the 4th Avengers film:

• • Shang-Chi (Xu Shang-Chi) : Appears in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021). He's a martial arts master in possession of the mysterious Ten Rings, about which we still know very little!
  
  
• • Yelena Belova : Seen in Black Widow (2021) and Hawkeye (2021). This spy and elite fighter is Natasha Romanoff's sister.
  
  

• • Sam Wilson (Captain America) : A loyal friend of Steve Rogers, he was given his own series: The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021). Chosen by Captain America to replace him, he excels in aerial combat with mechanical wings.
  
  

• • Kate Bishop : Appears in Hawkeye (2021). An exceptional bowman who caught the eye of Clint Barton, who could be his successor!
  
  

• • Monica Rambeau : Present in WandaVision (2021). She can absorb and manipulate energy, fly and cross dimensions.
  
  

• • The Eternals : Appear in Eternals (2021). Immortal beings with powers as varied as strength, flight and the manipulation of matter.
  
  

• • America Chavez : Seen in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022). She can travel through dimensions and possesses superhuman strength.
  
  

• • Kamala Khan (Ms. Marvel) : Appears in Ms. Marvel (2022). She manipulates energy and can change form.
  
  

• • She-Hulk (Jennifer Walters) : Featured in She-Hulk (2022). Lawyer with superhuman strength, cousin of Bruce Banner, a.k.a. the Hulk!

The list goes on and on !

What are the other consequences of Iron Man's disappearance ?

Apart from the declining quality of the films felt by fans, Tony Stark's death has had a snowball effect.

In fact, it's in the forthcoming Armor Wars film, which will focus on James “Rhodey” Rhodes, aka War Machine, that the MCU has decided to show the consequences. The project is inspired by a famous comic-book storyline, in which Tony Stark's technology falls into the wrong hands. In the film, Rhodey must deal with the growing threat posed by ill-intentioned individuals and organizations exploiting the legacy left by Tony Stark.

Iron Man's absence creates a vacuum, leaving his technology vulnerable to exploitation, prompting Rhodes to take over to protect the world. Moral questions are raised about the impact of Tony Stark's inventions and the responsibility that comes with them. As the iconic hero and longtime friend of the playboy, philanthropist, billionaire, Rhodey is at the forefront of defending Tony Stark's legacy, while battling enemies who use similar armor.

Is Victor von Doom a variant of Iron Man ?

Victor von Doom, a.k.a. Doctor Doom, is not a variant of Iron Man, although there are similarities and misgivings on this subject between the two characters. Doctor Doom is one of the Fantastic Four's greatest adversaries and a recurring foe of the Avengers in the comics.

Like Tony Stark, Doctor Doom is a scientific genius and possesses a technologically advanced suit of armor, suggesting another Tony Stark who has evolved differently across the multiverse. Their paths as we know them are radically different. Iron Man is a hero, motivated by redemption and the protection of others, while Victor von Doom is a power-hungry dictator, often considered one of Marvel's greatest villains.

In some alternate histories, Doctor Doom has indeed put Iron Man's armor, but this remains a point to be sidelined for the moment in the MCU's main continuity. With the forthcoming introduction of the Fantastic Four, Victor von Doom could become a major antagonist, though it remains to be seen how close he is to Tony Stark across the multiverse.

Funny thing about Robert Downey Jr., who was cast as Doctor Doom 2 months ago at San Diego Comic Con 2024.

By the MySuperSuit team