Grieving for Tony Stark

Fanfiction addict. Messy dumping ground for the current dominating fictional characters in my life..... also some other crap dumped here because life is too short to organise the Internets.....

[starkravinghazelnuts-deactivate]

I wish the Russos had come out and said this earlier on. Instead of passing Tony’s death off like, “Oh it was the natural end to Tony because he was so selfish at the beginning,” their Entertainment Weekly interview about Tony’s ending actually examines Tony as a character critically–and also admits that he’s the truest hero of them all. 

First, they admit it wasn’t easy to kill Tony because many kids look up to him: 

In some ways, it seemed like a natural choice. Stark had gone from aloof arms dealer to someone who repeatedly risked his own life to spare others. But it still wasn’t an easy decision, especially given the hope and inspiration Iron Man has provided to fans over the years.

“There are a lot of sick kids who really look up to that character, and it’s hard because we’re trying to tell a story about heroism,” Joe Russo tells EW.

“And sometimes heroism involves doing whatever it takes,” Anthony adds.

Second, they admit Tony was always a hero with a self-sacrificial bent this entire time. His selflessness isn’t something new, but was a character trait that has always been there and had to be respected: 

There was a daredevil aspect to Tony Stark, a defiance of danger, a determination — almost a self-destructive impulse — to put himself in harm’s way. Eventually, it was going to end in something he couldn’t walk away from.

“I think in a way Tony Stark was meant to die, and he always knew he was going to die because he could never reconcile that notion in himself of not protecting the universe,” Joe says. “I think that was always a spark in him, always seeing that there was danger coming on the horizon and that someday, he and that danger would meet.”

To the Russos (and many fans), it makes sense that Tony would die defending the world, because there’s no way he’d stand-by–not when he’s been doing it for so long. It’s hard to imagine Tony ever retiring, sitting out the fight, because that’s not what real heroes do. They lay on the wire every time–and that’s what Tony has been doing all along. 

And third? They admit Tony was the most formidable of them all–and for the right reason:

This is why Thanos knows who this puny human is in Infinity War. Stark had already made a lot of trouble for him.

“Stark is the most formidable of all of them,” Joe says. “Because of his heart.”

[armoured-iron-geek]

Hey Marvel...

You and I need to have a chat for a moment about the MCU’s godfather, Anthony Edward Stark.

You remember him, right?

You should, considering that under you, Tony has been subjected to/experienced:

Lost parents at age 17 (still a minor)

Kidnapping

Body modification without consent.

Waterboarding

Manipulation via a loved one.

Betrayed by a loved one.

Attempted murder by a loved one. Twice

Long-exposure to poisoning.

Existential crisis due to said poisoning

Having to deal with the aftermath of bullshit created by Howard.

His friends being put in danger.

Political bullshit.

Almost sacrificing himself to save the world by chucking a nuke at an alien spaceship armada.

Panic-attacks and paranoia triggered by said experience cause aliens are fucking real and they’re probably gonna come back. Gotta prepare.

Strung up and forced to watch the love of his life being experimented on.

…and this is after his best friend ending up in hospital and losing his home.

believing his girlfriend is dead.

forced to witness a horrifying vision of his biggest fear: losing his loved ones to an alien enemy because he didn’t do enough to save them.

co-creates an AI global protection system to prevent this, only for an Infinity Stone to turn it into a monstrosity.

Gets berated for something that was out of his and Bruce’s hands.

Held up and choked by a Norse God and his team mates do fuck-all to react.

Berated for keeping secrets by the one person keeping a secret from him that he doesn’t have the right to.

The only one getting blamed for Sokovia while one of the co-creators ran for it and the other waltzed right into the team, no questions asked.

Gets wind of game-changing U.N. sanctioned proposal and backs it cause he knows with some work and several amendments, it could be quite useful to have the majority of the world working together (alien attacks, remember?). Plus accountability is important, but explaining this to his teammates turns to shit very quickly.

Berated for his teammates ending up imprisoned even though they are grown fucking adults who made their own choices and broke several laws.

Was willing to break the law if it meant bringing his teammate and his teammate’s friend in peacefully.

Watches his parent’s murder.

Snaps because the killer is right there and his mental state is too unstable to recognise the killer is a victim himself.

Gets the shit beaten out of him and the metaphorical symbol of his heart is cracked open by his childhood idol.

Left to deal with the fallout, including a now paralysed best friend and a traumatised android.

Get’s a poor excuse of a letter, but accepts it because that’s all he believes he deserves.

That’s 10 years of bullshit right there, Marvel. 10 years of bullshit my favourite character has had to put up with. With Avengers 3&4 coming up, my biggest fear for Tony is that you are willing to actually kill him off. Make him sacrifice himself in order to be noble and all that shit, right?

“The perfect way to end his character arc of redemption”…..Fuck off!

This is the same guy who:

Has been preaching accountability since his first movie.

Wants to ensure that innocent people stay out of harms way at all costs.

Wants to use his resources to encourage the scientists and innovators of the future.

has proved time and time again that the Iron Man armour is useless without him, not the other way around.

Took one look at Bruce Banner and decided to adopt him into his makeshift family.

Immediately sees the good in the Hulk and connects with Bruce to the point that Hulk pays in kind by saving his life. Hulk’s first friend.

easily connects with the random people he meets (Harley for instance) and is willing to give back tenfold if they help him in anyway.

they don’t even have to help him first, he’ll still assist them if he sees they need it.

Refuses to accept that ‘you can’t save everyone’

Proves his point by saving everyone who fell from the Air force One plane.

is doing everything within his intellect and power to protect Earth from that thing he knows is coming.

Looked at his best friend and immediately thought, ‘I’m going to help you walk again.’

is currently using his past mistakes and experiences to protect and guide a young, new superhero he knows perfectly well will mature into a better man than Tony could ever hope to be.  

is willing to fly into space despite it being his biggest fear to battle against an enemy he’s been predicting since 2012.

You see, Marvel, I reflect on all this and the idea of just killing off such an amazing character as a send off seems a bit of injustice. Not only for Tony, but RDJ, Jon Favreau and all of the fans that have been sticking by him for a decade.

I understand that RDJ wants to exit stage left out of the MCU, and I say go for it, more power to him, right? That being said, I really don’t see the harm in just having him retire and live the rest of his life off-screen, happily married to Pepper. All you would need is a reference here and there in future movies and that’s about it. Let Shuri take over as resident genius so we can witness her brilliance while being comforted by the fact that the guy who started it all is just enjoying himself-

Having a well earned break.

Which is what he deserves.

I don’t know how many times it needs to be said.

[airdvance]

There is no better moment to reblog this than after having watched Endgame

[armoured-iron-geek]

@heycumberbitch I honestly forgot I wrote this post.

All that ranting for fucking nothing.

[simoneashley]

a man in a can who happens to be earth’s best defender.

[keybladesoras]

Iron Man and Rescue in Avengers: Endgame

[moviegrabs]

Avengers - Endgame (.2019) End Credits

[goosed]

“you know you can’t just ignore what happened in infinity war and endgame”

fanfic writers:

[marvel-lous-things]

Me: t

My phone: Tony Stark? Is that what you want, bitch? Tony stark huh??? TONY STARK??? LIKE YOU TYPE ANYTHING ELSE YOU DISASTER. YES WE FUCKING GET IT. YOU LOOOoooOOoVE TONY STARK 3000. YOU CAN STOP NOW OH MY GOD. JESUS CHRIST DON’T YOU THINK ABOUT ANYTHING ELSE???? Your grades? Your future?? Do you even have a future???? HUH? CAN’T YOU THINK ABOUT LITERally AnYthIn-

Me: ony Stark

[presidentmeachum]

Tony Stark and Peter Parker in Spider-Man: Homecoming vs. Avengers: Endgame

[mexisco]

The Starks really are something else huh? Saving two different universes all in the same week.

[thruces]

me before endgame vs me after endgame

[starkravinghazelnuts-deactivate]

ENDGAME SPOILERS

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.

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The more I think about it, after all the emotional shock of it, the more I know that this was really the only way Tony’s story could’ve ended. 

Hear me out why: So Iron Man 3 was the natural conclusion to Tony’s original arc–and it was the happy retirement ending. It was the ending where Tony comes to grips with his demons, opens his heart, and puts aside his suits while still embracing his Iron Man identity. Iron Man 3 is when Tony stopped being the man who had nothing–and started to build something more. 

But the moment Tony stepped back into the suit for Age of Ultron? That was when Tony’s fate was sealed. It conclusively proved that Tony “can’t stop.” This is something he even admits in Civil War to Steve. And it was these events that led him down the road to his eventual demise–but also to the salvation of the entire universe. 

I find it ironic that, in Civil War, Tony accuses Steve of being the guy who can’t stand aside when things go south, but truthfully? Tony was speaking about himself. Tony can’t let things go. He can’t let the world suffer when he knows he can help. That’s what makes him a true hero (or, as the Endgame soundtrack calls him, “The Real Hero”). 

In Endgame, despite Tony having settled down, we see Tony’s been working on the time travel algorithm. He’s been working on it for years. Even before the team approached him. He hasn’t let it go. He never let go. His brain won’t shut off. He can’t let the injustice of it all stand. He can’t let Thanos win. 

Pepper calls him out on this. When Tony entertains pretending he never found the key, Pepper says aloud what Tony already knows: can you rest? Can you rest knowing you can do something? It’s a full-circle moment for their relationship–and it’s beautiful. For the longest time, Pepper was terrified of losing Tony to his heroism. In any other film, she would’ve encouraged him to put it away, try to put it aside, but here we see she’s the one telling him, “It’s okay. I understand. You need to do this. Go be a hero.” As Tony predicted in Iron Man, she’s proud of the man he’s become–and she even suits up to join him on the battlefield to fight at his side. 

With this blessing from the woman he loves, Tony opens Pandora’s box. He comes to the team with the time travel technology that will ultimately bring everyone back to life–but with this act comes the inevitable consequences as the ripples in the timestream bring Thanos back. Thanos, like a proverbial nightmare, arrives in a storm cloud, emboldened with a more terrible plan to eradicate all life. To destroy the entire Universe. By trying to do the right thing, once again Tony inadvertently puts the lives of everyone at stake.

We’ve known since Age of Ultron that Thanos represents Tony’s deepest fears: everyone he cares about dying while he still stands. Thanos represents Tony’s failure. “Why didn’t you do more?” as Steve says in the horrifying vision. I understand the fact Tony died to take-down the source of his trauma is inherently a bitter pill to swallow, but, in the end, it was Tony’s choice. He wouldn’t let it beat him–and he would rather die than see his nightmare become a reality. This is because Tony has always been a true hero–something recognizable enough Stephen Strange was willing to stake the entire universe on Tony Stark’s heart. 

So Tony does what he’s been destined to do. Holding all six of the Infinity Stones, Tony snaps his fingers. He does this fully knowing he is going to die, that he’s never going to get to see his little girl grow up, but he dies knowing everyone else will get to have a life. He dies to make sure everyone will get to know at least a semblance of the peace he had for five years. He dies to save his daughter, his wife, his friends, strangers. He dies so that he can finally be at peace–and that’s why Pepper tells him “We’ll be okay.” It’s what Tony needs to hear. Because of him, yes, everything will be okay. 

And the ripple effect of Tony’s sacrifice are immediately seen. Tony is why Steve chose to actually live. Tony’s death gives Steve the courage to finally let go and be happy, because otherwise Tony’s sacrifice would’ve been in vain. Tony’s death allows Thor to go on a journey of self-discovery. Tony’s death allows Clint to reunite with his family. Tony’s death ensures there will be new heroes alive to safeguard the world in his absence. In this way, Tony’s death was the catalyst for all these stories moving forward. He’s the reason the MCU was born–and he’s the reason it continues to breathe. 

Tony’s story comes full circle to Iron Man: He dies as the man who had everything… in a last act of defiance. And he died as the most powerful being in the entire universe. 

[luckylatte]

Logically, I agree with this. But emotionally, I’m still at the point where I’m pissed off that Tony sacrificed everything and other than Nat, his ‘teammates’ get to be happy and live peaceful lives while Pepper and Morgan have to go on without Tony, as a husband and a father. Clint may get to reunite with his family, but Tony won’t until the afterlife. It’s childish, but I just find myself thinking “it’s not fair” especially when the petty side of me thinks that Steve got everything he ever wanted and Pepper is going to have to struggle without the man she loves for years. Steve and Peggy got decades together but Pepper and Tony only had 15 years or so. Don’t get me wrong, I can respect that Tony yet again prove himself as THE hero of the MCU & the naysayers should be eating their words about supposed “selfishness” but it’s just a bitter pill to swallow sometimes.

[starkravinghazelnuts-deactivate]

I’ve been wrestling with that salty bitterness too, but I think Tony wouldn’t have wanted to see it that way. Tony would be glad that his sacrifice meant everyone got to live happily ever after. That’s all he ever wanted. It’s awful he had to leave behind Pepper and Morgan (and all those who love him), but he’s just one man. He saved countless others who had loved ones. He reunited broken families. He allowed people to follow their dreams. 

Tony may have had an unhappy ending himself, but he safeguarded everyone else’s future. It isn’t inherently fair, but it was more than a fair trade. That’s what heroes do. They save others at the expense of themselves.

The movie solidified that Tony was the true hero of the story all along.

[nikolaj-costerwaldau]

[itsallavengers]

It’s just so much to try and cope with. Tony Stark was my hero, and although the way he went out was superb and so inherently true to his character, it’s still absolutely fucking heartbreaking for me, for us as fans. This is hero we grew up with. It felt like we knew him personally, not only because of Tony Stark, but because of RDJ and all the work he put in behind it, how he’d visit sick kids and talk about his character and put everything he had into the creation of the mcu. Tony Stark was as important to me because he helped me get through some really difficult times, because he was relatable and human, and because he was completely fucking spectacular. He was a gift to his world, and now he’s gone it’s like we lost a real person; like Tony Stark is gone in this world too. He was just perfect. He was brave and kind, and a wonderful father to a beautiful child. He’d found happiness after such a long time of heartbreak and difficulty. It was everything I’d ever wanted for him and then it got taken away, and it just feels like someone’s come and gutted me. Of all the people in that world, Tony Stark deserved a happy ending. He deserved so much. And knowing that he’s gone, that his baby girl is going to grow up without a father who loves her more than anyone else in the universe– to think about the world trying to move on from him,,, it’s absolutely fucking crushing. I feel like I’ve lost family. Tony Stark belonged to me, to you, to all of us. I’m just gonna miss him more than anything else in the world.

[unlikecharlie]

@ brain oh so now we’re gonna start randomly crying at any mention of Tony for the unforeseeable future?

[crazypantsjewels]

*Tony dying in Endgame*

Whole theater: *silent*

This one guy in the back: Yo fuck this movie.

[whimsicalethnographies]

Lolololololol

[doctorstark]

we didn’t see tony’s body because he’s actually just hiding in his basement waiting for everybody to leave so he can take morgan, peter, and harley to the park. faking his death was the only way he could make sure those avenger bitches never bothered him again

[whimsicalethnographies]

It’s true and you should say it.

[mysharona1987]

“Fan fiction is a way of the culture repairing the damage done in a system where contemporary myths are owned by corporations instead of owned by the folk.”

— Henry Jenkins (via mysharona1987)

[kitcat992]

This means everything on a day like today