Tony Stark was the Marvel Cinematic Universe's first hero and he left us at the end of Avengers: Endgame. The official script for Avengers: Endgame is now being dissected, thanks to Disney posting it as part of awards consideration. One part that's now catching attention is the section after Tony's snap, when he's dying.
Tony's final words spoken on screen aren't in the script -- maybe another Robert Downey Jr. improvisation, one of many -- and his final thoughts are unspoken. But the final sentence that runs through his mind is noted in italics on page 135 of the script. Just two words to Pepper Potts, and they are heartbreaking.
This is after Rhodey rushes to Tony, then Peter Parker has his speech that it's OK, "Mr. Stark, we won. You did it, sir." On screen, Tom Holland adds "I'm sorry, Tony." After Peter leaves, Pepper Potts kneels down and says "Hey." Tony's final spoken words on screen are a pained "Hey, Pep." Pepper gets the update that Tony's life functions are critical. That's when she smiles and says, "Tony, look at me. We're going to be okay..." In the script, here's how he reacts to that:
He stares at her, tears welling. I'm sorry.
That's his final thought -- "I'm sorry," noted in italics the script.
She touches his face and leans in to kiss him, then tells him "You can rest now." The script notes when she pulls back, she can see his eyes are fixed and glassy. Everything goes quiet and the heroes gather, "the full weight of what's happened dawning on them."
Tony Stark is gone.
Chills! Read that section of the script in this screenshot, and read the whole thing on Disney's awards consideration page.
Avengers: Endgame co-director Joe Russo made his case for why Robert Downey Jr. deserves an Oscar for his performance, but RDJ made his own case with what's on screen. There's so much unspoken. "I'm sorry." He must be so sorry to leave Pepper and their daughter Morgan behind. He wanted to stay out of it, retire from being a hero and just live like a normal husband and father who loved his family 3000. But ultimately his arc was the opposite of Steve Rogers' story -- Tony had to die, the Endgame writers argued, and Cap had to finally start living.
Avengers: Endgame's script is being submitted for consideration in Best Adapted Screenplay categories. Disney also submitted 13 Endgame stars for acting awards consideration, including Robert Downey Jr., whether he wants a nomination or not. There's no saying anyone will get an Oscar nomination. They weren't on the list of acting nods for Golden Globes Awards. But a nod for RDJ would be the perfect end to Tony Stark's story.
