Avengers 4: Tony Stark will DIE? Iron Man writer reckons it’s LIKELY 'I think he's DONE'

He’s the figurehead of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and kicked it all off a year ago, but is Tony Stark about to kick the bucket in Avengers 4?

Iron Man comic book writer Bob Layton certainly thinks it’s likely.

Speaking with Tampa Bay Times, he said: “I am only speculating, but I will guess that (Robert Downey Jr.) is done.

“He has been doing the same role for over 10 years now, and I think as with any actor sometimes, it is time to move on.”

When asked if Iron Man will die, Layton said: “That is one way of doing it, but I’d only be guessing.

“I know this — I wouldn’t want to recast Tony Stark. Who would want to try to top Downey?

“But, if Tony doesn’t come back, they can put somebody else in the armour and start a new generation of Iron Man.”

Stark’s character development has certainly been rather, well, stark; from the womanising selfish billionaire to the sacrificial father figure of Peter Parker.

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Taking on a messianic sacrificial death to reverse Thanos’ Snap would be a very fitting end for Stark, especially as it’s what’s expected of Captain America rather than him.

Let’s also not forget that Doctor Strange traded his life for the Time Stone.

A popular theory among fans is that the Sorcerer Supreme, who has seen the one possible future where the Avengers win, knows Iron Man needs to die later on – not then in the hands of Thanos.

As for who could take on the Iron Man mantle, the most obvious person is Black Panther’s sister Shuri.

She’s already a smarter tech genius than Stark and has now moved to the west coast of America.

She could be the MCU’s answer to the comics’ Riri Williams, a young black woman who becomes Iron Heart aka female Iron Man.

Avengers 4 will be released in UK cinemas on April 26, 2019.