Avengers: Endgame - Captain America & Iron Man's Fates Explained

3. How Tony Stark's Death Is The End Of An Era

For as much as Marvel have dubbed the first three phases of the MCU the 'Infinity Saga' - so-called in reference to the various stones that appear in almost every film - there's a strong argument to be made that the franchise's first ten years were more about Iron Man than they were its coveted cosmic jewellery.

Since 2008's Iron Man, Tony Stark has been uncontrollably drawn towards heroism. Even when he tries his best to shake it, he can't help but get involved again, because he's a hero in the truest sense. An unlikely one, yes, but ever since Iron Man 3, each occasion where Robert Downey Jr. has suited up as the character has involved an element of reluctant heroism.

He was meant to leave the life behind in the Shane Black threequel, and attempted to do so again in Age of Ultron with the advent of the eponymous AI, while Civil War saw him come out of retirement due to a profound sense of guilt and responsibility. By the time Infinity War came around, Stark had accepted the Iron Man identity, spurred on by PTSD onset by the Chitauri invasion and out of fear of the unknown.

Endgame, however, really cuts to the core of why Stark is Iron Man. Back when he created the identity, he did so by divesting from the arms industry. His main goal has only ever been to save people, and the film is as much about him making peace with Iron Man as it is about Thanos finally getting his comeuppance.

It's a lot more than that too though. It's the end of an era, and it's all symbolised by Tony's passing.