Avengers 4: Why Death Is The Perfect Ending For Tony Stark

1. It Fits With The MCU's Approach To Father Figures

If there's one theme that connects all three phases of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it's fathers - both the sins of them, and trying to grow beyond them. This is crucial to Thanos' arc in Infinity War with Gamora and Nebula, and it's there in Guardians of the Galaxy 1 and especially 2, the Thor franchise, Black Panther, and, yes, Iron Man.

Tony Stark would not be Iron Man if not for his father, Howard, but he's also become a father figure himself to Peter Parker, and had to watch his surrogate son die at the end of Infinity War. Tony is already a man haunted by knowledge, but this is the darkest, most cruel piece yet.

Father figures in the MCU eventually have to die, for their kids to grow and learn to stand on their own two feet: Thor couldn't become the true God of Thunder and leader of Asgard until Odin's death; T'Challa had to come to terms with T'Chaka's passing and his past actions; Peter Quill is essentially defined by his relationships with Yondu and Ego; and Thanos may well have to die in Avengers 4, and if not he will at least be haunted by his killing of Gamora.

Marvel have at least another two Spider-Man movies on the way, and you'd have to imagine they'll try and factor him into more movies beyond that. And yet, there isn't much room for Tony Stark. He's not in Far From Home, despite talk of appearances from Happy Hogan AND Pepper Potts, which would surely only be the case if he's died and entrusted them to look out for Peter. But with so many movies, and no on-screen death of Uncle Ben, Peter is going to have to suffer that sense of loss to further grow into the hero Tony wants him to be in Homecoming. Based on everything we've seen of father figures, that means Tony Stark dying, and probably giving his life for Peter's.

Do you think Tony Stark will die in Avengers 4? Let us know down in the comments.