Speaking of really likeable actors Marvel won't be killing off... hello Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark/Iron Man, he launched Phase 1 way back in 2008, and has been one of the cornerstones ever since, starring in both Avengers films, while his character is the only one to have a movie gross over $1bn (Iron Man 3). He has been their most bankable star to date, and RDJ is an absolutely perfect fit for Tony Stark. There are currently no plans for an Iron Man 4, but you'd imagine that if he wanted it to happen, they'd find a way of fitting it into their ever increasing schedule. So, you'd think there's no chance of him being offed here. Then again, it's already been a couple of years since the last Iron Man film, and will be a few more before the next one. Who knows what Downey Jr's appetite for playing the character is going to be. And there's the not inconsiderable matter of his being a 'sort-of' villain in this film, insofar as he's going up against the lead protagonist. It's not impossible that Stark will be killed during the war, just very, very unlikely.