‘Iron Man 4’ Plot Spoilers: Tony Stark Retires And Stays On The Sidelines While Someone Else Dons The Armor! A Viable Scenario For Marvel Phase 3?

"Iron Man 4" is still a real project for Marvel. However, it can be very different from what we remember.

It has already been mentioned that Robert Downey Jr. is filled with projects and he also wants to concentrate on the movies from his own production company. From his interview with GQ: "That is the great luxury that that Avengers payday affords us." Their husband-and-wife production company is called Team Downey. "I like working with her. I'd rather just do stuff with her."

Downey has lamented how he will not be able to handle the physical aspects of the Iron Man role. 'Iron Man 3' actually offered a lot of solutions for that. He had drone-like suits and armor for Pepper Potts. This can open the door for a 'grounded' Tony Stark which may be the path Marvel will take in the future.

After the events in "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" there would be drastic changes in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. What Culture proposed this scenario as a possible implication:

"That's why it's likely Marvel will either retire the character or recast the role in a future movie. That's not to say that no one else will ever be able to play Tony Stark, but Downey is so connected and loved with the role that to recast him within the same franchise would throw audiences off."

The charismatic actor has said that he does not want anybody else playing Tony Stark. So if someone else wears the suit, it will not be a recasted Stark-it's an entirely different character.

The scenario continues: "When Downey leaves the role, it's likely that Marvel will set Tony aside for a little bit. It's possible he could be killed, but I'm hoping that he just decides to leave the superhero business and focus on his life with Pepper and trying to make the world a better place. However, with Iron Man 3 left open-ended and the reveal in All Hail The King that the true Mandarin is somewhere out there, it's possible that Marvel will eventually return to the Iron Man franchise with a different actor. Either way, expect Tony to take more of a sideline role in post-Phase 3 movies. After all, Marvel, and especially The Avengers, has always been about shifting the status quo in the comics (regardless of how long it may last). Tony may be a fan favorite, but there are others who can take the spotlight."

What do you think about this set-up? Will fans still line-up for a grounded Tony Stark? Who should wear the Iron Man armor? Certainly not War Machine.

As always, the plot thickens.