Jon Favreau argued against killing Robert Downey Jr’s Iron Man

iron man, aka Tony Stark, as played by Robert Downey Jr.
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Iron Man director Jon Favreau argued against killing Robert Downey Jr’s iconic character in Avengers: Endgame, the Russo Brothers say. 

Avengers: Endgame directors the Russo Brothers have opened up about some of their most memorable scenes, including Tony Stark’s death in the latest Avengers movie. But according to them, Iron Man director and Happy Hogan actor Jon Favreau wasn’t so sure the character should have been killed off.

The directing duo felt a lot of pressure when it came to offing the character that started Marvel’s Cinematic Universe, according to The Hollywood Reporter. This was made worse when Favreau called them to discuss it. “Part of the pressure came from Jon Favreau who called us up after he read the script and said to us, ‘Are you guys really going to kill Iron Man?’” Anthony Russo said.

Joe Russo claims they had to talk the director and actor “off a ledge” with regards to their decision. “I remember pacing on the corner of a stage on the phone with Favreau trying to talk him off a ledge because he’s like, ‘You can’t do this. It’s gonna devastate people and you don’t want them walking out of the theater and into traffic.’”

However, the brothers clearly decided to go ahead and end the character’s arc anyway. They state that they thought the moment had been earned, and that it was emotional, redemptive and uplifting. It certainly did turn out to be memorable.

Meanwhile, the next two Avengers films have been announced, The Kang Dynasty and Secret Wars. Shang Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings director Destin Daniel Cretton will helm the former.  The two movies will play a pivotal role in the franchise’s next major story arc – The Multiverse Saga. 

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