Robert Downey Jr.’s Iron Man makes his Marvel Cinematic Universe return in a Spider-Man 4 theory, and if it turns out to be accurate, Marvel Studios would have one of the franchise’s most emotional projects on its hands. Marvel’s slate of projects includes several exciting movies and series, with entries like The Fantastic Four, the next two Avengers movies, and Spider-Man 4 drawing the most attention. Given how Tom Holland’s first MCU Spider-Man trilogy is among the franchise’s best, it makes sense that anticipation is high for the return of his version of Peter Parker.

Every single one of Holland’s Spider-Man movies has featured a major role for an MCU character. That is part of the deal Sony and Marvel Studios made so that Holland’s Spider-Man could be part of the MCU while Sony still holds the character’s movie rights. Spider-Man: Homecoming featured Robert Downey Jr.’s Iron Man as Peter Parker’s mentor, continuing their relationship from Captain America: Civil War. Due to the hero’s death in Avengers: Endgame, Tony Stark was missing from Holland’s other Spider-Man movies. However, an MCU theory shows the perfect way for Iron Man to be part of Spider-Man 4‘s story.

Spider-Man 4 Theory: Peter Parker Creates AI Tony Stark

Spider-Man: No Way Home Set Up A New Chapter

Tony Stark is dead in the MCU. Sure, Marvel could change that in order to bring back Downey Jr. as the most popular MCU character, and the Multiverse Saga allows plenty of opportunities for that to happen. After Tom Cruise was rumored to play the Superior Iron Man version of the character, Downey could return as that version of Tony Stark or another multiverse variant of the hero. The MCU could also simply choose to resurrect Iron Man. Last year, it was reported that Marvel considered a new Avengers movie with the original six.

For that to happen, Iron Man and Black Widow would reportedly be resurrected. The move would not be the best. While it is understandable that Marvel is considering the return of Downey as Iron Man after the recent criticism the MCU has faced, undoing the hero’s sacrifice would not be wise. Instead, a new Spider-Man 4 theory suggests the perfect path for Iron Man to come back without meddling with the character’s fate from Avengers: Endgame. In the comics, Tony Stark has come back after his death as an AI, and Spider-Man 4 could repeat that.

Iron Man’s return would fit with Sony Motion Pictures Group chairman Tom Rothman’s comment that Spider-Man 4 will be ” a significant event .”

Spider-Man: No Way Home‘s ending left Peter Parker alone. Doctor Strange’s spell set up a new status quo for the hero, with Spider-Man 4 following a Peter who lives alone and has been forgotten by his loved ones. According to the MCU theory, Peter would start feeling depressed, yearning for some kind of connection. Given his genius intellect, the character would then use whatever resources he could find to bring back Tony Stark, his mentor, as an AI. Iron Man’s return would fit with Sony Motion Pictures Group chairman Tom Rothman’s comment that Spider-Man 4 will be “a significant event.”

AI Tony Stark’s Marvel Comics Origins Explained

Iron Man’s MCU Return Would Have A Precedent

Essentially, Spider-Man 4 could have Peter Parker take another character’s place in the dynamic with the Iron Man AI. In Marvel Comics, Riri Williams, aka Ironheart, was the one who had a meaningful connection to Iron Man. After scouting her as a potential talent, Tony Stark created a backup of himself just in case he ever came to pass, and after his death, the AI version of the Marvel hero was sent to Riri. Under his guidance, Riri became Ironheart and went on to save a lot of people. In the MCU, Spider-Man would make sense instead of Ironheart.

Despite being an AI, Iron Man was still quite active. The AI version of Tony Stark could control his Iron Man armors, which meant that the hero could still help out others in the field even if a physical body was missing. The AI Tony Stark was a reconstruction of his consciousness, which led to the character developing identity issues due to not having a body. That could provide Downey Jr. with a fresh and interesting arc in his possible MCU return, something that could go in hand with the expected darker and more intimate tone of Spider-Man 4.

How Iron Man Coming Back As An AI Would Fit In The MCU

Tony Stark Could Appear In Multiple Projects

Downey Jr. is not getting any younger, and with a rumored MCU reboot after Avengers: Secret Wars, the time for Iron Man’s return is now. Through the AI version of Tony Stark, RDJ could fit into different MCU movies and series. Both Spider-Man 4 and Disney+’s Ironheart series could include the AI Stark. Like in the comics, Iron Man could guide Riri as she becomes a bona fide hero following her MCU debut in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, as well as continue the mentor relationship Iron Man had with Holland’s Spider-Man.

Another MCU project that would make a lot of sense for the AI Tony Stark to be a part of is the Armors Wars movie. The project will deal with Stark Tech falling into the wrong hands. Armor Wars was initially developed as a TV series, though the project’s scope made it a movie. Development has since stalled, but Downey Jr.’s return as the AI Tony Stark could get the movie up and running. The AI Iron Man could protect Tony Stark’s legacy alongside War Machine and Ironheart. AI Iron Man could also star in the upcoming Avengers movies.

Robert Downey Jr.’s Recent Iron Man Return Comments Help The Theory

Tony Stark’s MCU Return Is Looking Good

After Avengers: Endgame, it seemed like Downey was done with the MCU. However, ever since he won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his role in director Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer, Iron Man’s MCU return has become more likely. That is due to a change of tone in the star’s comments about a possible Tony Stark comeback. Recently, Downey commented on an Iron Man return, saying, “It’s just crazily in my DNA… I’ve become surprisingly open-minded to the idea.” With Downey once again open to playing Iron Man, it seems like a matter of time before he is asked back.

After a wave of criticism in recent years, Marvel Studios is making internal changes. The studio will now focus on sequels and its biggest franchises, with a longer development pipeline before projects are ready. Downey’s Iron Man return would come at the best possible time for the MCU. The actor would bring back many of the fans that left the MCU behind, and if the Spider-Man 4 theory is right, RDJ’s Iron Man return could fit in story-wise and avoid damaging the character’s MCU arc that was concluded in Avengers: Endgame.