Robert Downey Jr. Vows to Fight Future Executives Over Digital Clones of Iron Man

Robert Downey Jr. isn’t playing games when it comes to safeguarding his legacy.

The Marvel superstar, who cemented his status as one of the highest-paid actors ever, opened up on the On With Kara Swisher podcast about the growing dangers of artificial intelligence and digital cloning in Hollywood. While he says he trusts Marvel’s current leadership, Downey made it clear that he won’t hesitate to pursue legal action against future executives if they misuse his likeness after he’s gone.

“To go back to the MCU, I am not worried about them hijacking my character’s soul because there’s like three or four guys and gals who make all the decisions there anyway, and they would never do that to me, with or without me,” Downey said, expressing confidence in the team at Marvel.

However, the actor acknowledged that studio executives often change hands. When Swisher pointed out that new leadership might not follow the same rules, Downey responded without missing a beat: “Well, you’re right. I would like to here state that I intend to sue all future executives just on spec.”

When Swisher jokingly noted that he might not be alive to carry out those lawsuits, Downey quipped, “But my law firm will still be very active.”

Hollywood is currently grappling with the ethical questions surrounding digital replicas, especially with the rise of generative AI. The practice of “resurrecting” deceased actors—such as Peter Cushing’s appearance in Star Wars: Rogue One—has sparked intense debate. Downey’s comments highlight the increasing concern among actors about having their digital likeness exploited without their consent, a point that also fueled recent negotiations during the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes.

Although Downey’s Tony Stark is currently retired, the actor is set to make a major comeback in 2026’s Avengers: Doomsday. But this time, he’ll be on the other side of the fight, taking on the role of Doctor Doom.

What’s your take on Robert Downey Jr.’s stance against AI clones? Should actors have full control over how their likeness is used after they leave the spotlight? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!