Marvel Studios has just released a teaser trailer that has sent shockwaves through the fanbase: Iron Man 4 is happening, and Robert Downey Jr. is back in the suit! The trailer, which dropped unexpectedly, offers a tantalizing glimpse into the next chapter for Tony Stark, and fans can barely contain their excitement. With Iron Man 4 slated for release in 2024, this is the film that will bring one of the MCU’s most beloved characters back to the big screen — but this time, the stakes have never been higher.
As the trailer begins, we see an eerily quiet and desolate landscape. The camera slowly pans across what appears to be a devastated, post-apocalyptic version of New York City, littered with debris and ruins. It’s not long before we hear the unmistakable voice of Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.), and the iconic red and gold armor gleams in the distance. But this is no ordinary comeback. The Tony Stark we see in this trailer is not the same hero who made the ultimate sacrifice in Avengers: Endgame.
The teaser does not give away much in terms of plot, but it hints at the reemergence of Tony Stark, likely due to an unexpected twist in the MCU’s multiverse. The trailer opens with Stark’s voice narrating, talking about how “nothing is ever truly finished,” before the camera cuts to a close-up of his face, which is weathered and uncertain. The subtle references to his past — his loss, his victories, and his regrets — add an emotional depth to this new journey. Stark is back, but what does it mean for him, for his legacy, and for the future of the Avengers?
One of the most intriguing aspects of Iron Man 4 is the introduction of the multiverse. At the end of Avengers: Endgame, Tony Stark’s death was seen as a heroic and definitive end to his story. But in true Marvel fashion, the multiverse has cracked open new possibilities. The teaser hints that Tony may be returning from an alternate timeline or parallel universe, where he never died and the world has taken a different path.
There’s a brief moment in the trailer when Stark’s iconic suit, the Mark LXXXV (Mark 85), flickers between different versions, showing glimpses of Stark in various stages of his life. Could this mean that Tony Stark’s return will involve multiple iterations of the character across various realities? Is he facing an alternate version of himself? The possibilities are endless, and the trailer teases a mind-bending adventure that will explore new dimensions.
While Tony Stark’s return is the central focus of the trailer, the teaser also introduces a new and menacing threat to the MCU. A mysterious villain is shown briefly, shrouded in shadows, with ominous lines such as, “You cannot escape your legacy, Stark.” The voice is cold, calculating, and seems to understand Stark on a deep level, hinting at a personal connection between the hero and villain.