Robert Downey Jr. says Tony Stark's 'Endgame' suit was only meant for one last mission
Marvel Studios
Warning: Spoilers ahead if you didn't watch "Avengers: Endgame."
Robert Downey Jr. said that Tony Stark's last Iron Man Suit in "Avengers: Endgame" wasn't built for his character to survive the team's final mission.
"The last one is not designed to be able to do its job and have you make it past it," the actor said during a new episode of "Off Camera With Sam Jones." "That's the great Joseph Campbell mythology of, ultimately you go from refusing the call and being a serendipitous hero and by the end, you're willing to give the ultimate sacrifice, your life, despite your family and your groundedness and your desire to not want to do that so your community can thrive."
In the movie, Tony used the power of the six infinity stones to snap away Thanos and his army. Because of the power of the stones, he didn't survive.
Robert Downey Jr. says that Tony Stark's final Iron Man suit in "Avengers: Endgame" wasn't built to outlast the team's big mission.
"It's a complete 180," the 54-year-old actor said of his Marvel character's arc during a new episode of "Off Camera With Sam Jones."
Downey Jr. continued, "It started with someone who's absolutely self-centered, has more money than they could ever spend, is spiritually dead, and has no idea that they're about to go through a crucible that is going to put them in a position to be of service to their community."
Downey Jr.'s superhero, who once described himself as a "genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist," was first introduced to the MCU in 2008's "Iron Man."
Since then, he's led several films in the "Avengers" franchise. Downey Jr.'s last appearance as Tony was in "Avengers: Endgame," in which his character got the infinity stones, wielded his own gauntlet, and used it to snap away Thanos and his army. The power of the six stones was too much for Tony to handle, and he died shortly after.
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Disney/Marvel
Speaking to Jones, the actor said that Tony's death was likely to happen due to his "Endgame" suit's shortcomings.
"The last suit he has isn't even designed for him to be able to survive using it," Downey Jr. said. "The first suit is all about, 'Will this get me and my ego and my precious physical frame out of this cave I'm in and into the desert where maybe the cavalry can come get me and bring me back to my stupid life?'"
He added: "The last one is not designed to be able to do its job and have you make it past it. That's the great Joseph Campbell mythology of, ultimately you go from refusing the call and being a serendipitous hero and by the end, you're willing to give the ultimate sacrifice, your life, despite your family and your groundedness and your desire to not want to do that so your community can thrive."
After fans caught wind of Downey Jr.'s comments, they reacted to the heartbreaking revelation on Twitter.
In response to some people who were confused by what the actor meant in regards to the "Endgame" suit's capabilities, fans offered a few explanations. Many people think that Tony's last outfit was meant to protect everyone around him, rather than himself.
In "Endgame," Tony was reluctant to join the Avengers on their "time heist." He told Steve Rogers/Captain America that his priority was to get back the people they lost and maintain the family he built (comprised of Pepper Potts and their daughter, Morgan).
"Maybe not die trying would be nice," Tony told Steve.
The Avengers agreed that before embarking on their mission, they'd do "whatever it takes." After the team traveled back in time and got the infinity stones, Bruce/Hulk volunteered himself to wield the gauntlet and use it to bring back the people who were snapped in "Infinity War."
Before snapping his fingers, Bruce Banner/Hulk explained that it had to be him because a normal human can't cope with the power of the stones. Since Bruce was exposed to gamma radiation, he felt that he was equipped to survive the large surge of power.
Toward the end of the film, Tony realized that the team was losing, despite their best efforts. Doctor Strange reminded Tony that there was only one outcome in which the Avengers were victorious, and that's when Tony sacrificed himself.
Watch part of Downey Jr.'s "Off Camera" interview in the video below.
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Watch Robert Downey Jr. say goodbye to the 'Endgame' crew as he wraps 10 years of playing Iron Man
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