Written By Mikey Sutton • Editor-in-Chief • Owner
Robert Downey Jr.‘s Tony Stark could be heard, but not seen, in his MCU return.
A new report revealed that the upcoming Disney Plus series, Ironheart, is using the working title of “Wise Guy.”
Consequently, fans ignited social media with breathless speculation.
The popular theory is that “Wise Guy” refers to Robert Downey Jr.
On the surface, it seems like a stretch.
After all, Robert Downey Jr.’s death as Tony Stark in 2019’s Avengers: Endgame was such a fitting bookend.
Why would he come back to the little-known Ironheart?
Moreover, it’s not even a theatrical film; rather, it’s a streaming program.
However, the comic books shed light on the hot speculation.
Image: Marvel Comics Group
In the comics, Riri Williams, the teenage girl who becomes Ironheart, has an A.I. version of Stark.
In this context, Tony Stark downloaded his consciousness into the artificial intelligence; it acts as her teacher.
By utilizing Robert Downey Jr.’s voice, Tony Stark’s presence would still be felt in the MCU without ruining Endgame.
Furthermore, they could reel Robert Downey Jr. back in without emptying their wallets.
Writer Brian Michael Bendis and artist Mike Deodato co-created Ironheart.
She debuted in Invincible Iron Man No. 7 in 2016.
Marvel Studios cast Dominique Thorne as Ironheart.
The show is in pre-production.
She is expected to appear in Marvel Studios’ silver-screen movies in the near future.
Robert Downey Jr. Could Return As Tony Stark In Disney Plus Series
Image: Getty Images
Quite frankly, “Wise Guy” referring to Robert Downey Jr. is quite the stretch.
After all, Don Cheadle is in the series as War Machine, too.
It’s not that working titles reveal much of anything.
For example, Lucasfilm code-named Return of the Jedi as Blue Harvest during filming.
Nevertheless, Downey Jr. as an A.I. has roots in the comic books.
Also, Tony Stark had an A.I. in his films, too: J.A.R.V.I.S. In fact, Paul Bettany, the Vision, voiced J.A.R.V.I.S.
I haven’t heard that Downey Jr. will be in Ironheart myself, even as a voice actor.
But I can easily see it happening.
Related: Exclusive: Robert Downey Jr. to Return in MCU’s ‘Secret Wars’?
