The Marvel Cinematic Universe may have started with Robert Downey Jr.'s Iron Man but it certainly won't end with him. Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige has already addressed the fact that pretty soon, the MCU will have to decide whether to retire certain characters, have other characters assume new mantles or recast the actor. Speaking on that subject, Iron Man director and Avengers: Infinity War executive producer Jon Favreau stated that it would be hard to imagine someone replacing Downey as Iron Man.
“I can’t imagine how they could but that doesn’t mean that they can’t. I just can’t wrap my head around that one. To me he’s the one element that has unified all of it, and I think kept a consistent tone, and the integrity of his acting ability and his talent really works wonderfully synergistically with the Marvel universe. I think that his personality is something which helps define it. That being said, nothing would surprise me, but for me it would be a hard pill to swallow and big shoes to fill.”
Beyond Infinity War, Iron Man's role in the MCU is uncertain. Whenever the day comes that Downey is no longer available to play Tony Stark, should Marvel retire the character or recast the role?