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Edited by Mrph1 on Jul 29th 2024 at 3:09:00 PM
Well, making Tony the Director of SHIELD does come straight from the comics (and Steve is the current Director, although that comes with a very big caveat). But I also think that Tony would never want to be the head of any large government organization — he chafes against rules and regulations, we can see it with him and General Ross. Steve might be a better fit for head of SHIELD, but then again, he also prefers to be out in the field.
In addition to both of them taking turns as Directors of S.H.I.E.L.D., the idea also comes from a What If? for Civil War that revealed the best possible conclusion to Civil War: in a universe where Tony was more emotionally honest with Steve and Steve didn't sucker punch Tony, the two made peace, ended their conflict, and agreed to work together in order to turn the Registration Act into something that could benefit everyone.
It ends with Steve and Tony as mutually respectful co-leadership and the implication that, once united, they led the world into a golden age.
edited 23rd Apr '17 2:07:31 PM by TobiasDrake
My Tumblr. Currently side-by-side liveblogging Digimon Adventure, sub vs dub.Here are my reasons for Tony dying eventually:
1. I feel that we have done more or less everything which can be done with the character. He has come full circle.
2. In-universe Tony is getting old. He is in his late 40th already, can you imagine a 50 something guy flying around in a suit???
3. RDJ is expensive and I feel that the MCU has kind of outgrown Ironman.
It's the opposite with Cap....for one, I see a lot of story-possibilities with him (I really want a secret invasion storyline with him getting replaced and having to deal with the fall-out later on, and yes, I know that EMH already did that, but I think the MCU could do its own interesting take on the idea). Two, he is still pretty young and even if he weren't, as long as Chris Evans manages to look the part, an aging Cap can be pretty interesting, too. And three....well, I guess a new contract with Christ Evans would be expensive, too, but I think Marvel has a better negotiation position since Bucky or Falcon could both take over for Steve if necessary. But I would prefer it if it weren't necessary.
Tony's drive and obsession with being Iron Man is precisely why I think dying at the end of Avengers 4 would be a thematically fitting way to end his story arc. He can't stop being Iron Man, then let him go out as Iron Man in one last blaze of glory. Maybe for bonus points have him patch things up with Pepper beforehand for that extra sting.
1. Only because Iron Man 3 went with Tony solving most of his personal problems and Iron Man 2 hula-hooped around his alcoholism.
2. Age isn't going to stop anybody in Marvel. I don't know of a single Marvel hero other than Steve and Logan whose been genuinely hindered by old age for any extended period of time. And Tony is still better off than anyone since age isn't really going to hinder any of the suit's capabilities.
3. RDJ might be the most expensive, but the others are still astronomically expensive I'd imagine.
Director of SHIELD is the best route:
- Gives a new dimension to his character.
- Gives RDJ less paid screen time.
- It's comics-compliant.
edited 23rd Apr '17 2:17:19 PM by Soble
I'M MR. MEESEEKS, LOOK AT ME!Hell, Tony's even proven his Top Spy cred. Remember that time he casually hacked all of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s files right under Director Fury's nose?
My Tumblr. Currently side-by-side liveblogging Digimon Adventure, sub vs dub.I still say that having him mentor Riri Williams would be the best.
edited 23rd Apr '17 2:37:29 PM by alliterator
Tony doesn't chafe under secrecy. He just doesn't want secrets kept from him. He considers himself the final arbiter of what should be done and what secrets should be kept. He had no problem keeping Ultron a secret from the rest of the Avengers, or making Vision behind Steve's back.
So did Nick Fury. Remember that Winter Soldier only happened 'cause Fury was like, "There's a secret out there. Something smells fishy," and went out of his way to find out what the WSC was keeping from him.
Tony's just fine about keeping secrets that need to be kept, but when others are keeping secrets from him about things he thinks he should be privy to, he Nopes those secrets into his possession. That's exactly what the Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. needs to do.
edited 23rd Apr '17 2:35:30 PM by TobiasDrake
My Tumblr. Currently side-by-side liveblogging Digimon Adventure, sub vs dub.edited 23rd Apr '17 2:39:24 PM by alliterator
I'm still in favor of death because if he's still around and not Iron Man, it's just gonna inevitably lead to people asking why he can't get back in the suit if he's still there.
There was an interview I'd read where they mentioned that Spielberg and Lucas wanted Sean Connery to have a cameo in Indiana Jones 4, but he passed on the offer. They said in hindsight it was for the best, since audiences would've been disappointed if he showed up for a cameo and then didn't actually get in on the action like he did in The Last Crusade. I feel like you run into similar problems having Tony Stark appear in your movie just to stand around barking orders behind a computer screen. Even in Homecoming, where he's mentoring the next generation of heroes, we know he suits up in the armor for at least the token action scene.
I'm also just gonna be disappointed if nobody of note dies in Infinity War.
edited 23rd Apr '17 2:46:11 PM by comicwriter
I don't want Tony to die, because mentoring Riri would be difficult from the afterlife, especially in the MCU.
As an aside, if Riri is ever added to the MCU, should she be played by Skai Jackson, the person her physical appearance is based on, ala Nick Fury, or should they cast someone different (I'm unaware if Skai's acting chops are sufficient for leading a big-budget MCU movie/franchise)?
edited 23rd Apr '17 2:56:33 PM by PushoverMediaCritic
While I'm not opposed to him dying or perma-retiring, I think transitioning from full active duty to mentor new heroes is a good course for Stark. We're seeing it with Spider-Man, we could see it with Riri and potentially other superheroes. He doesn't necessarily have to die or go into full retirement just because his character arc is finished; "static" characters still play roles in entertainment media as tools in other characters' narratives.
Regarding age, being Iron Man doesn't require incredible physical capabilities, just a sharp mind and reflexes to operate the armor, so age shouldn't be as much of a hinderance to Stark as it would, say, Steve or Natasha. So even if he decides to spend more time out of the suit mentoring young superheroes, he can still climb back in when shit hits the fan.
RDJ being expensive is a moot point; his presence alone guarantees pulling in huge revenue, so they're going to make more money with him than without him.
edited 23rd Apr '17 3:12:42 PM by Anomalocaris20
You cannot firmly grasp the true form of Squidward's technique!I'm also just gonna be disappointed if nobody of note dies in Infinity War.
There's likely going to be a loooot of death, it's just that, with the gems right there, they'll probably be brought back at the end. Be an easy way to bring back Quicksilver, various side characters and anyone who died in the crossfire of the Avengers battles in previous movies.
Star-Lord says Avengers: Infinity War "is exactly what the fans want."
When's it coming? Next year or the year after?
