While the plot of Avengers 4 is being kept tightly under wraps, it's widely assumed that part of the story will involve bidding a final goodbye to Robert Downey Jr's Iron Man.
Whether Tony Stark is blown to kingdom come or gets to retire peacefully to an island with Pepper Potts, it would mark the end of 10 years of Downey Jr starring in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
It's been quite a ride, and here's how to follow the whole thing from his Iron Man debut to the tragedy of Infinity War.
1. Iron Man (2008)
Back where it all began. You might have forgotten by now, but Tony started out as an arms dealer and generally not a nice guy. But his kidnapping by terrorists and betrayal by his business partner Obadiah Stane (Jeff Bridges) resulted in his transformation into Iron Man.
2. The Incredible Hulk (2008)
While Tony doesn't really play a role in the plot of this Edward Norton-starring movie, he shows up in the post-credits scene to chat to General Thaddeus Ross (William Hurt) and plant more seeds for the eventual Avengers movie.
Watch The Incredible Hulk online now.
3. Iron Man 2 (2010)
Tony was back for the MCU's first sequel, facing off against the vengeful Whiplash (Mickey Rourke) and rival industrialist Justin Hammer (Sam Rockwell). He also fought alongside Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) for the first time, making this a sort of proto-Avengers team-up. Meanwhile, the arc reactor that keeps him alive is on the fritz. That can't be good...
4. Avengers Assemble (2012)
The Avengers got together for the first time in Joss Whedon's mega-hit, with Tony and Captain America (Chris Evans) forming the central yin and yang at the heart of the movie. They fight off Loki and his army of alien Chitauri, with Iron Man striking the fatal blow to the invasion by flying through a portal into space with a nuke strapped to his back. Rather him than us.
Watch Avengers Assemble online now.
5. Iron Man 3 (2013)
Struggling with PTSD following his near-death experience in Avengers Assemble, Tony starts to behave erratically. Unfortunately, this includes taunting the shady terrorist The Mandarin, which results in a direct attack on his home. Tony is left on the run without his suit, trying to prevent the rise of Extremis – a mystery 14 years in the making.
The film ends with Tony removing the arc reactor from his chest and blowing up all his suits. Iron Man is no more!
6. Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
Did we say 'Iron Man is no more'? Scratch that – he's totally more.
Hoping to protect the world from future Chitauri-esque threats, Iron Man creates the defensive artificial intelligence Ultron. Unfortunately, Ultron is actually mad and evil instead.
With the help of his Avengers pals and some new faces including Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen), Quicksilver (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) and another AI he creates(?!), the Vision (Paul Bettany), Tony is able to stop Ultron, but not before massive destruction is wreaked in the fictional eastern-European country Sokovia.
Watch Avengers: Age of Ultron online now.
7. Captain America: Civil War (2016)
In light of the Ultron-related disaster (not to mention his guilt over what happened), Iron Man sides with the UN and its Sokovia Accords, which will put the Avengers under its direct control.
When Cap's old pal, the Winter Soldier, is framed for a terrorist attack, Tony finds himself facing off against Steve Rogers in an all-out superhero civil war. And a dark secret from the Winter Soldier's past threatens to destroy Iron Man and Captain America's relationship for good.
Watch Captain America: Civil War online now.
8. Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
Tony takes a supporting role in the debut solo adventure of his new Civil War protégé, Spider-Man (Tom Holland). For once, Iron Man gets to play the mature grown-up as Peter Parker's impatience leads him to bite off more than he can chew in the fight with the villainous Vulture.
Watch Spider-Man: Homecoming online now.
9. Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
Two years later, Tony and Steve still haven't made up. When Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo) arrives on Earth to warn the Avengers that Thanos is coming, it looks like a reunion is about to happen... until he's whisked away into space with Spider-Man and his new frenemy Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch).
They team up with the Guardians of the Galaxy on Titan to fight Thanos, but the Infinity Snap leaves Tony (and Cap) as some of the last superheroes standing. Next up, Avengers 4...
Watch Avengers: Infinity War online now.
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