Robert Downey Jr. has undoubtedly served as the Atlas for the Marvel Cinematic Universe since the studio's rebirth. Now carrying a stark legacy of success on his back, he has survived long enough as the hero to turn into a villain in Avengers: Doomsday. As the MCU gears up for its sixth phase, several unfathomable changes and new additions will be bestowed upon the world. When the phrase "I am Iron Man" rang out on the giant screen for the last time in Avengers: Endgame, everyone recognized that they were seeing the end of an era. With the multiverse opening up new avenues, the chances of recasting some of the original Avengers, including Tony Stark, are imminent.

Buckle up, for the arc reactor could glow once again, but in an entirely different and unexpected light. 

Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige confirmed in a recent round table conference that several MCU characters will be recast for Avengers: Secret Wars, set to release in 2027. According to Variety, Feige emphasized how Avengers: Endgame was about endings, while Secret Wars will herald new beginnings for the company and the multiverse. While warning that "Reboot is a scary word," he likened it to resetting the MCU like other classic comic book characters such as James Bond and Superman. He indicated that original characters like Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) and Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) would eventually be recast.

Feige also acknowledged the difficulty of replacing actors who have made beloved characters their own, adding unique charisma to the roles. He said, “I think it’s hard for anybody to do that when an actor has done such a great role." Feige indicated that a respectful reset timeline would honor Tony Stark's legacy while introducing new actors for the original characters in Phase 6. And Marvel's recent acquisition of the X-Men and Fantastic Four supports this fresh direction.

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When one legacy culminates in full bloom, another begins, as the new mutants prepare for their MCU debut. 

Marvel's X-Men will get new faces for their upcoming movie directed by Jake Schreier. Kevin Feige has confirmed, per Variety, the company will reset their narrative timeline to 2015's 'Secret Wars' in the next X-Men movie. This means fresh faces will join the ride, offering new storylines that have not been touched before. Most recently, original X-Men star Kelsey Grammer showed up as Beast in The Marvels, while Patrick Stewart reprised his role as Professor X in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.

In Avengers: Doomsday, several original X-Men actors, including Stewart, Ian McKellen, Alan Cumming, and Rebecca Romijn, are set to return for one last appearance. This paves the way for a fresh start for Feige's vision in MCU Phase 6. With Ryan Reynolds' Deadpool hopefully carrying the legacy forward, the X-Men's return marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter. As Marvel carefully reshapes its future, re-casting Tony Stark might carry the echo of the heroes who built its foundation or not. Only time can be the best judge of this. 

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Do you think anyone can truly replace Robert Downye Jr.Iron Man? Share your thoughts in the comments below.