The MCU Could Still Adapt Civil War 2 (Despite Iron Man’s Death)

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Summary

Despite the death of Tony Stark, the Marvel Cinematic Universe could still adapt Civil War II, with Riri Williams/Ironheart being a logical replacement and a better fit for the story's moral arguments.
Adapting Civil War II would benefit the MCU by providing a significant event that ties the franchise together, addressing a common complaint about Phase 4's lack of overarching events.
The divisive reception of the original comic arc presents an opportunity for Marvel Studios to improve upon the source material and solidify Ironheart as a major MCU hero, leading the franchise into the future.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe could still adapt Marvel Comics' Civil War II despite the death of Tony Stark/Iron Man. In Marvel Comics, the second Civil War was fought between Iron Man and Captain Marvel. The latter began prosecuting people for crimes before they had happened due to an Inhuman named Ulysses seeing visions of the future which Iron Man vehemently opposed. Given the event was such a huge turning point in Marvel Comics of late, many have wondered if the story would be adapted in Marvel's upcoming list of movies.
While the Marvel movies of 2024, 2025, and as yet 2026 do not include Civil War II, it remains an intriguing possibility given the success of Captain America: Civil War. Many have even theorized that Captain Marvel 3 could adapt Civil War II given that the character is such an integral part of the comic book run. However, her comic adversary Iron Man was killed in the MCU during Avengers: Endgame which begs the question of who would head up the other side of the conflict. Despite this death, one character introduced in the MCU's Phase 4 would be a highly logical replacement for Iron Man.
Ironheart Is Better For A Civil War 2 Adaptation Than Tony Stark

The MCU character who would be better for Civil War II than Tony Stark is Riri Williams/Ironheart. Riri Williams was introduced as a supporting character in 2022's Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and will be a big part of the future MCU as evidenced by Marvel's Ironheart series having a release date at some point in 2024. Not only is Ironheart the spiritual successor of Tony Stark/Iron Man in the MCU due to her Stark Tech suit of armor, but her overall status in the MCU would make Civil War II's comic book argument more compelling.
Much of Civil War II surrounds Iron Man's arguments that stopping crimes before they are committed is immoral, especially when the visions of those crimes are based on chance and probability rather than hard truth. These arguments fall on mostly deaf ears from Captain Marvel's side, resulting in the titular war. Given this premise, Ironheart makes much more sense to replace Iron Man with this argument in the MCU for one specific reason.
If Iron Man had lived after Endgame and made these arguments, it would have been a hard sell for Marvel Studios to convince the audience that no one would listen to him. Iron Man is lionized in the MCU as is, something that would only have continued if he survived. With Ironheart though, she is a much younger character and could easily be disregarded concerning arguments due to her naivety, lack of experience, and lack of authority in the MCU's superhero world. This would play well against Captain Marvel who is one of the longest-serving MCU heroes, has a lot of authority, and would be more likely to be heard.
Why Adapting Civil War 2 After Endgame Is Best For The MCU

Aside from Ironheart's character logically fitting the story of Civil War II, the comic event would benefit the MCU as a whole. One of the main complaints of Phase 4 is the lack of overarching, significant events in the MCU. Secret Invasion should have served as this yet was mostly self-contained and the threat of Kang established in Loki and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania has thus far been confined to those specific projects.
As such, an event tying the MCU together would be a good move for Marvel Studios. The argument could be made that this should happen after Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and Avengers: Secret Wars, but regardless, Civil War II should be considered. Furthermore, the Civil War II arc was met with divisive reception which gives Marvel Studios the rare opportunity to improve upon its source material. Not only that but it would solidify Ironheart in the major MCU role the character deserves, make more sense than Tony Stark's involvement, and take the franchise into the future via a new, young, exciting hero.
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