Jeff Bridges Discusses a Possible MCU Return and Talks Robert Downey Jr.

While the Marvel Cinematic Universe  (MCU) has had no shortage of great villains, including Loki, Thanos, and Killmonger, it was Jeff Bridges’ Obadiah Stane who helped launch the franchise into the stratosphere.

Appearing opposite Robert Downey Jr.’s Tony Stark in the first Iron Man film, Stane was introduced as Tony’s former business partner and a good friend of Howard Stark. After the latter’s death, Stane became the interim CEO of Stark Industries.

When Tony Stark decides to take over the company, however, Stane allies himself with the Ten Rings before eventually creating an armor of his own and adopting the name Iron Monger.

Obadiah Stane. Photo: Marvel Cinematic Universe Wiki

While other Marvel villains had arcs that spanned multiple films, Stane met his end in Iron Man and was never seen again.

Could Obadiah Stane Return?

With Downey Jr. set to return to the MCU as Victor Von Doom and other seemingly forgotten characters like Samuel Sterns and Betty Ross reintroduced into the Marvel fold, many have wondered if we could see Bridges follow suit.

Obadiah Stane. Photo: Marvel Cinematic Universe Wiki

In a recent appearance on Josh Horwitz’s Happy Sad Confused podcast, the Big Lebowski star was asked about possibly playing Stane again. Interestingly, Bridges revealed that the first draft of Iron Man left Iron Monger’s fate ambiguous.

“Well, when I read the script, Obadiah Stane falls in that big vat at the end, and in the script that I read and agreed to do, they pulled my suit out and opened it, and I’m not there,” he explained. “‘We’re not shooting that scene!’ But who knows? It’s all science fiction. I could maybe pop up again.”

Iron Monger. Photo: Marvel Cinematic Universe Wiki

While Bridges did not close the door on a Marvel return, it doesn’t sound like the actor has any plans to suit up again.

Bridges’s Thoughts on Downey’s Return

When discussing his Iron Man co-star’s return to the MCU as Doctor Doom, however, Bridges sounded thrilled.

“I know, and [RDJ’s] playing a bad guy! I love that!” Bridges exclaimed.

Robert Downey Jr. Photo: BBC

With the Marvel multiverse set to come together for Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, there is a small possibility we could see Obadiah Stane again.

For now, however, it seems unlikely.