His tenure as Tony Stark may have come to an end, but the MCU has left Robert Downey Jr. with the kind of professional resources he’d never had before in his career, from a massive worldwide fanbase to a hefty bank account to the kind of clout in Hollywood that will allow him to pursue a host of new projects. Here’s why he left the MCU, and what’s ahead for Marvel’s first leading man.
First thing’s first: Why did Downey and his fellow Avenger Chris Evans elect to leave the MCU in the first place? Disney Twenty-Three magazine has the answer. In a recent chat with the insider outlet, the iconic Iron Man actor said their time was simply up, saying,
“We had to get off. We opted to, and knew it was part of the job to get off the bus while it rolled on to other destinations. There’s something very sobering about it. I’m glad he and I will be there to welcome others as they retire their jerseys.”
As for his legacy in the MCU, RDJ was his usual charming and self-effacing self, saying,
“I really don’t need to look any farther than my co-stars. Mark Ruffalo is an activist, Chris Evans is a diehard American and proponent of true democracy. I don’t really have the gumption, the skill set, the drive, or the humility either of those guys do.”
His modesty is sweet, but MCU fans will always love RDJ 3000, and will keep their fingers crossed for a cameo or two as the Marvel machine moves on without him.
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