In Iron Man 4, Tony Stark makes a surprising return, though not in the way fans expect. After the events of Avengers: Endgame, Tony’s consciousness was secretly uploaded into an advanced AI system by Pepper Potts, anticipating a future threat. In Iron Man 4, this AI version of Tony emerges when Stark Industries comes under attack from a new villain: Ezekiel Stane, the son of Obadiah Stane, seeking revenge for his father’s death.

Ezekiel has developed an ultra-powerful version of the Iron Monger suit, infused with cutting-edge nanotechnology. Stark, limited by his virtual form, must guide a new team of heroes, including Riri Williams (Ironheart) and James Rhodes (War Machine), in preventing Ezekiel from unleashing global destruction. Tension rises as Tony struggles with his inability to physically participate in battles, causing friction with his allies who must rely on his remote guidance.

One of the film’s emotional high points is Tony’s reunion with his daughter, Morgan, now a teenager. Through a series of holograms, he provides her with advice and unveils a hidden Iron Man suit designed specifically for her, opening the door for Morgan to take on her father’s mantle.

The climactic battle sees Ezekiel’s advanced tech overwhelming the heroes until Tony sacrifices his digital self, permanently erasing his consciousness to disable Ezekiel’s systems from within. In the final moments, a touching scene takes place where Tony’s AI leaves a heartfelt goodbye message for Pepper and Morgan, closing the chapter on Iron Man, once and for all