It feels like there is justice in the geek world that Robert Downey Jr's birthday and the release of Avengers: EndGame share the same month. On April 4 2019, Robert Downey Jr, or as he is affectionately called by fans, RDJ celebrates his 54th birthday. And towards the end of this month, that is on April 26, we will have the release of Avengers: EndGame, which could be RDJ's final appearance in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. A magnificent Universe that he himself helped grow thanks to his 2008 film Iron Man, that started the long path of the MCU! Avengers: Endgame Beats Star Wars: The Force Awakens for the Most Number of Pre-Sales in a 24 hour Period.

Robert Downey Jr, who began his career as a child actor, has a fascinating career that has seen some epic ups and downs. He has been nominated for the Oscars twice for his performances. And he has also been arrested numerous times for drug charges and he has been sent to rehab. And then, RDJ cleaned himself up and revived his career in an epic way. Thanks to his success in the MCU, RDJ is the third highest grossing actor in the world, with a net value of $300 million. With numerous appearances in the MCU as Iron Man/Tony Stark, RDJ has become so eponymous like the character, just as Hugh Jackman was with Logan/Wolverine, that it is impossible to reimagine Iron Man with some other actor.

As RDJ's journey in MCU may come to an end this month, we look at five reasons why Marvel should never think of recasting this character at least for a couple of decades. Or perhaps, forever!

He Revolutionised Iron Man as a Character

Before 2008, how many kids ever came up and told you that they wanted to be Iron Man at a costume party. Forget that, has anyone even liked Iron Man as a character? He might have been a popular superhero in Marvel comics and an original Avenger. But Tony Stark in the comics is an arrogant jerk and even a perv whose ego is larger than his helmet. It was easier for us to root for Captain America in the Civil War storyline, because Tony used to imprison rebel superheroes and even made a murderous clone of Thor.

And see RDJ's take on the same character in the movies. He might have retained the cockiness of Tony from the comics, but RDJ imbibes his own charm in Iron Man to make him one of the most likeable superheroes of all time, if not among Avengers. So when the Civil War in the movies happened, you were hard-pressed to know which side to root for!

...While His Own Redemption Arc Mirrored Through The Character

Before Iron Man happened, Robert Downey Jr was on the verge of being a has-been actor, despite having earned Oscar nominations. His dalliances with substance abuse and various other controversies nearly derailed his career, before RDJ got hold of the reins of his life and started afresh. The 2008 movie was a beginning of that arc and now he is one of the most expensive actors in the world. And look at Tony Stark in that first movie -  he is an arrogant, playboy weapons manufacturer who tastes the repercussions of his actions first-hand before turning for the good and into the lovable superhero we are rooting for. Which is why we really can't differentiate between Tony Stark and RDJ!

He is Why We Have MCU and  Avengers EndGame

Imagine if the 2008 Iron Man movie didn't work. Do you think we would have this entire MCU now and would we have waited with this kind of excitement for Avengers: EndGame? Don't really think so. Sure, a lot of credit for the success of MCU goes to its head, Kevin Feige, but if the people hadn't warmed upto RDJ as Iron Man, then none of it would have happened. Just look at what happened with DC's plan of making Justice League!

He Can Merely Smirk and Still Own The Whole Film

Iron Man 3 in 2013 was RDJ's last solo superhero movie, and from thereon, RDJ has either a part of ensemble movies like Captain America: Civil War or in supporting capacity as in Spider-Man: Homecoming. And yet, he manages to steal the show, with that swagger and a smirk. Remember, Tony Stark is the only superhero character who gets to retain his non-superhero love interest until EndGame. Can't say the same for the rest!

...And Yet Delivered Some of His Finest Performances in the MCU

RDJ can merely own a role by just smiling at the camera and yet, he has given some really fine performances in the MCU. There is nary an occasion where we can say he has phoned it in, even though he can afford to do that. RDJ was truly good as the PTSD suffering Tony in Iron Man 3, but his best act was in a movie that had Cap's name on it - Captain America: Civil War. That's RDJ for you!

Yes, Robert Downey Jr, we really love you and we wish you Many Many Happy Returns of the Day! Though we know that it isn't going to be possible, thanks to the contracts crap, we really want you to entertain and wow as Iron Man till the time MCU fizzles out. Or will it?

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 04, 2019 10:05 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).