Avengers Infinity War SHOCK: Does THIS mean Robert Downey Jr's Iron Man will DIE?

With his seventh outing as Tony Stark/Iron Man due in next month’s Spider-Man Homecoming, fans have been wondering how long Downey Jr will be sticking around in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

At the moment the 52-year-old star is only contracted for next year’s Avengers: Infinity War and its 2019 sequel, the currently untitled Avengers 4.

However while Spider-Man Homecoming 2 – due in 2020 – is confirmed, the Hollywood Reporter claims sources say Iron Man will not be around to mentor Peter Parker.

Could this then mean that Tony Stark/Iron Man will die in the upcoming Avengers two-parter?

It certainly is possible, although it’s exactly the same for Chris Evans’ Captain America, whose contract expires after Avengers 4.

Both stars have played it quite coy about returning for Marvel Phase 4, although Downey Jr at one point teased he might be back for Iron Man 4.

A year ago he said, “I could probably do one more”, before flip-flopping on the statement.

Of course he could be replaced like James Bond actors, but that would probably not go down well with fans. 

The most likely options are that he will die in Avengers Infinity War, or will bow out at its conclusion.

Or a third option could follow the comics and see Tony Stark replaced as Iron Man by Ironheart, a black female teenager.

Avengers: Infinity War will be released in UK cinemas April 27 2018, while its yet-to-be-titled sequel will be released April 26, 2019.