Downey’s thoughts on AI and his likeness being digitally recreated stemmed from his experience in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but he doesn’t worry about Marvel reanimating Tony Stark with AI. "There’s like three or four guys and gals who make all the decisions there anyway, and they would never do that to me, with or without me," he said. When Swisher suggested that future studio heads might try, Downey’s reply was swift: "I intend to sue all future executives just on spec."
In response to Swisher’s remark that he’d be deceased by then, Downey quipped, "But my law firm will still be very active."
Downey is also exploring the impact of AI beyond film. He’s currently starring on Broadway in “McNeal,” a play that critiques tech leaders like OpenAI’s Sam Altman, who are deeply involved in AI advancements. Downey voiced his frustration with tech figures who seem to monopolize the AI conversation, calling it “a massive error” and saying their lack of transparency turns him off.
Looking ahead, Downey is preparing to make a return to Marvel—but not as Iron Man. Starting with 2026’s “Avengers: Doomsday,” he will take on the role of Doctor Doom, adding a new twist to his Marvel legacy. For Downey, his next chapter with Marvel is all about returning as himself, not a digital duplicate.