Avengers 4 Theory: Does Tony Stark Have A Death Wish?

3. He Can't Quit...

It's key to remember at this stage that Tony Stark cannot see a way out of being Iron Man. How would we know that? Well, because he's told us.

When Tony discusses his relationship with Pepper Potts in Captain America: Civil War, he explains why they broke up

"A few years ago I almost lost her so I trashed all my suits. Then we had to mop up Hydra. Then Ultron, my fault. And then, and then, and then. I never stopped. 'Cause the truth is I don't wanna stop..."

He might have walked away from Iron Man duties at the end of Iron Man 3 (or so the suggestion at the time was, anyway), but he simply cannot retire. He is locked into being Iron Man just as much as he is being Tony Stark and the idea of him being able to turn his back on what he sees as an obligation to heroism is just unthinkable.

The only way Stark can be free from the thing that haunts him and guides his every decision is for it not to be able to get to him. He knows his story ends with death. He knows he's on a one way ticket.