I’ve Just Realized The Saddest Iron Man & Spider-Man Scene In The MCU Is Even More Devastating Than I Thought

One brief but touching Avengers: Endgame moment gets even more devastating when I think about the characters’ eventual fates. The culmination of the MCU’s Infinity Saga was a huge moment for the franchise and the superhero genre in general. Seeing so many different heroes collaborate on-screen like in Endgame was a rare but thrilling experience, seamlessly combining the original group of Avengers with the new. One of the best combinations of generations is undoubtedly Tony Stark and Peter Parker, with the two characters developing one of the strongest bonds in the MCU.

Tony has been a pivotal figure in Peter’s MCU story since Spider-Man’s debut in Captain America: Civil War, then again in his first solo film Spider-Man: Homecoming. Though the two had some rough patches every now and then, they meant a lot to each other. Peter getting snapped in Avengers: Infinity War weighed heavily on Tony’s conscience for years, making their eventual reunion in Endgame even more touching. However, when I think about what was going through Tony’s head at the time, the moment is actually much sadder than meets the eye.

Iron Man & Spider-Man’s Shared MCU Story Is One Of The MCU’s Most Emotional

Tony Is A Mentor And Father Figure To Peter

When Tony first recruits Peter in Captain America: Civil War, Peter is starstruck that such a big hero would want him on his team. Iron Man is an idol to a lot of individuals in the MCU, so Peter is ecstatic to have him as a mentor of sorts. Their partnership continued into Spider-Man: Homecoming with Tony guiding Peter’s journey as Spider-Man. Tony was the one who told him the harsh truths about the hero’s life, which was exactly what he needed to hear in order to become the best version of Spider-Man.

After proving himself in Homecoming, Tony and Peter collaborated again in Avengers: Infinity War on тιтan. At this point, it’s clear that Tony cares deeply for Peter, as if he was his own son. Peter, lacking a father figure, also considered Tony someone he could trust with his life, which is what made it so much more devastating when he disappeared in the Snap. Tony blamed himself for losing Peter, and his love for the young hero was part of what convinced him to help the Avengers in Avengers: Endgame.

Iron Man & Spider-Man’s Avengers: Endgame Hug Looks Even Sadder Now Looking Back

Tony Was Already Considering His Big Sacrifice

Spider-Man hugging Iron Man in Avengers Endgame

Peter returned in Avengers: Endgame with the other half of the missing population. The opening moments of the Battle of Earth were so chaotic that it was hard to keep track of everyone who was involved, and it meant that a lot of reunions were happening on the battlefield. One of the most emotional reunions is obviously Tony and Peter’s. Tony initiates a hug that catches Peter by surprise, though he happily complies. It was a big moment since Tony was rarely the one to initiate emotional moments with Peter, showing just how relieved he was to have him back.

Their reunion is a touching moment amid intense action, but it actually gets pretty devastating the more I think about it. At that point in the battle, it’s possible that Tony had already made the decision to sacrifice himself with the Infinity Gauntlet. He arguably hugs Peter as тιԍнтly as he does because he knows it might be the last time he’ll get to see him. Considering how well Tony knew Peter, he likely knew how big of an impact his death would have on the kid, which we eventually saw in Spider-Man: Far From Home.

Avengers: Doomsday & Secret Wars Could Make The Endgame Hug Even Sadder

Peter May Notice The Similarities Between Tony And Doom

Tom Holland with a bloody face and wearing the glᴀsses Tony Stark left him in Spider-Man: Far From Home

Peter is currently in a tough position in the MCU. After losing Tony, he had to mourn the loss of Aunt May as well. Spider-Man: No Way Home ended with Doctor Strange wiping the universe’s memory of him, including his girlfriend MJ and best friend Ned. He’s in a vulnerable spot that Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars may capitalize on thanks to Robert Downey Jr.’s casting as Doctor Doom. Although Marvel has denied that Downey Jr.’s Doom will be a Tony Stark variant, the similar appearances of both characters will undoubtedly come up at some point.

Doomsday and Secret Wars acknowledging Peter’s past relationship with Tony is going to add an even sadder layer to their Endgame hug.

If Spider-Man ever comes face-to-face with Doom, he’s likely going to recognize such a familiar face. Doomsday and Secret Wars acknowledging Peter’s past relationship with Tony is going to add an even sadder layer to their Endgame hug. Peter being reminded of his mentor and father figure—only for this version of him to be such an evil person—is going to do plenty of mental damage. Considering how selfless and emotional their Avengers: Endgame reunion and subsequent goodbye was, I won’t be surprised if the MCU plays on that dynamic for the drama.