Four years after Robert Downey Jr. played Iron Man for the last time, Marvel president Kevin Feige has shed light on the actor's near miss for the iconic role and clarified that he will not reprise it in the future, according to Vanity Fair.

Feige disclosed that studio executives hesitated to cast Downey Jr. due to his troubled past, which included a 1996 conviction for possession of heroin, cocaine, and an unloaded .357 Magnum. Marvel was cautious about entrusting their future films to someone who had faced legal troubles in the past, Feige explained.

However, what changed their minds was Downey Jr.'s impressive screen test, which took place on September 25, 2006. The actor's undeniable talent and embodiment of the character proved that he was the perfect fit for Tony Stark.

After completing reshoots for the record-breaking 2019 film Avengers: Endgame, Feige assured Downey Jr. that it would be his final appearance as Iron Man, stating, "We promised him it would be the last time we made him do it-ever." This decision has marked the end of an era, with Feige confirming that they will preserve that moment and not pursue any revival or recasting of Tony Stark.

Despite Marvel's history of bringing back beloved characters, Feige asserted that they have worked tirelessly to reach that particular conclusion and have no intention of revisiting it. "We all worked very hard for many years to get to that, and we would never want to magically undo it in any way," he affirmed.

The emotional weight of saying goodbye to the character was not lost on Downey Jr., who was initially hesitant to redo dialogue for the final edits of Avengers: Endgame. The last line as Tony Stark was filmed just a couple hundred feet from where Downey Jr. auditioned for the role, adding to the significance of the moment.

In the Vanity Fair story, Susan Downey, Robert's wife and co-founder of production company Team Downey, offered insights into her husband's passion for TV and film. She described his excitement while watching a project, noting his appreciation for the degree of difficulty in scenes, physicality, speeches, and emotional beats. Susan emphasized that Robert respects the challenges involved in the craft.

As fans speculate about the possibility of a revival for Tony Stark, Marvel president Kevin Feige's statements make it clear that the character's arc has reached its conclusion, and his legacy will remain untouched on the big screen. The decision to cast Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man turned out to be a pivotal moment in Marvel's cinematic universe, solidifying the actor's place in superhero history.