1. Robert Downey Jr. IS Tony Stark
Of course the biggest, and most burning issue of all is the fact that Robert Downey Jr. seems to be done with the character. So we've got a story arc that seems to have reached a logical conclusion, an actor that, while forever grateful, probably wants to pursue more projects outside of the Marvel universe, and a trilogy of what looks to be three solid films. If anything, this is the
perfect time for Robert Downey Jr. to get out of the game, which is a perfect time to relegate Tony Stark/Iron Man to the background until Avengers 2, and possibly after that film. I know we're in a world where comic book movies can be recast in a heartbeat and still somehow maintain continuity. Hell, Mark Ruffalo and Maggie Gyllenhaal would have missed out on some key gigs if it wasn't possible. But I'm of the school of thought that if Robert Downey Jr. doesn't want to do another Iron Man, you shut down the arc reactor and let it go. There is no other actor that can play Tony Stark the way he has, simply because he IS Tony Stark. Robert Downey Jr. had hard partying lifestyle, he had the promise at a young age of an awesome career, and he had it all crash down around him only to bring himself back up from it, better than ever. It is this reason that Iron Man is, if not a Marvel comic book trilogy, a fictionalized autobiography for RDJ's journey through his own life. To recast the role and continue would be disrespectful, and it wouldn't do Marvel any favors. Tony Stark's day has come, and it's best to end things before it's gone. Let him blast off into the Sunset with Pepper and Rhodey by his side, and let us know that you don't have to sacrifice a good comic adaptation in the name of money.
The floor is open What Culture Republic! Do you want to see more Iron Man films, or do you think Robert Downey Jr. has earned the right to walk away on top? Discuss amongst yourselves in the Comments section below, and I'll probably jump into the fray at some point to argue myself.