Jon Favreau Admits He Was Wrong to Oppose Tony Stark's Death in 'Avengers: Endgame'

The 'Iron Man' director initially urged the Russo Brothers to reconsider killing off Robert Downey Jr.'s character, but has now changed his stance on the pivotal 2019 decision.

Jon Favreau, who launched the Marvel Cinematic Universe by casting Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark in 2008's Iron Man and directed the 2010 sequel Iron Man 2, has revealed he once attempted to convince filmmakers Joe and Anthony Russo against eliminating the superhero in Avengers: Endgame. The director has since acknowledged his initial objection was misguided.

During an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Favreau recounted his concerns at the time, explaining his reasoning for reaching out to the Russo Brothers. "I called the Russos. I was like, 'I don't know about — I don't think people — I don't know if people are going to like — I don't know! I think it's going to really impact people because there they were kids that grew up with that character,'" the filmmaker recalled.

Favreau's continued involvement with the Marvel franchise, including playing Tony Stark's loyal assistant and driver Happy Hogan across multiple MCU films, clearly influenced his protective stance toward the character at the time. However, the 2019 release of Avengers: Endgame ultimately proceeded with Stark's sacrifice, which became one of cinema's most significant character conclusions in recent memory.