Avengers: Endgame: What happens to the six original Avengers?

Marvel Studios’ AVENGERS: ENDGAME..Tony Stark/Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.). Photo: Marvel Studios

Tony Stark

From the beginning, this is the man who started everything. Iron Man gave us the Marvel Cinematic Universe and watching this movie hurt so badly because we had to watch Tony Stark get everything he’s ever wanted and then willingly give it up to make a better world for his daughter and fellow Avengers.

When Tony Stark learns there’s a chance to travel back in time to save everyone who was dusted, including Peter Parker, he’s hesitant at first. He’s finally got everything he wanted — a quiet, peaceful life with Pepper and a sweet daughter, Morgan.

Eventually though, Tony’s down to help Steve and the rest of the Avengers by figuring out time travel (so simple for Tony, of course) and going back in time to recollect all the Infinity Stones. When it comes time to finally defeating Thanos, there is only one way for them to win: Tony wears the Stark Gauntlet, snaps his fingers, and dusts Thanos and his army. But doing so kills him. This is by far the hardest scene to watch in Endgame. Tony finally had everything — Pepper, his daughter Morgan — and he sacrifices himself for everyone else.

There won’t ever be a time when I’m not sad about the way Tony Stark had to die, even as I’m writing this, I’m crying. He was willing to give up his life for everyone else and that’s what makes him one of the best Avengers who ever lived.