Jon Favreau Wants Robert Downey Jr. to Return to the MCU

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Jon Favreau Wants Robert Downey Jr. to Return to the MCU - As a Director

By Narayan Liu

Published Aug 21, 2019

Producer and director Jon Favreau expressed his desire to see Robert Downey Jr. directed Marvel Studios film.

With the noble death of Iron Man in Avengers: Endgame, Robert Downey Jr. had finished his part in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and reached the end of his contract with Marvel Studios. It's been a long journey and audiences were sad to see him go.

However, the demise of his character doesn't necessarily mean that RDJ can't still be a part of the MCU, not according to director and producer Jon Favreau who -- when asked about Downey Jr.'s plans for the future -- joked, "I don't know what he's thinking, but he better direct. Otherwise, I'm not going to be his friend anymore." Favreau, who also played Happy Hogan in the MCU, continued, "He's the star of the biggest movie of all time. He did it. So now, you better do stuff you love," adding that doing so would help inspire others who have grown to adore Downey Jr.'s work.

Favreau then suggested a different role for the actor, "he has a lot of passion. He's an artist: He understands visual art, he understands music. I think he would be a hell of a director," concluding, "I hope I get to have a part if he ever decides to direct because I want to show him what it felt like when I was directing him," referring to the numerous films they've worked on together both within and beyond the MCU, "I want to give him the other side of that equation."

Robert Downey Jr. has received critical-acclaim for his performance as Tony Stark over the last decade, but the actor has reportedly expressed a desire to distance himself from the role of Iron Man following the completion of the "Infinity Saga." In recent months, he has seemingly focused on other projects such as the Footprint Coalition, which makes use of technology and robotics in order to help clean up the planet.

Since taking on the role in 2008, RDJ has appeared in numerous box office hits including Tropic Thunder, Sherlock Holmes and more. With a resume of films collectively earning more than $14 billion worldwide, Robert Downey Jr. has become the highest grossing actor in the world.

(via The Hollywood Reporter)