Avengers: Endgame May Have Actually Confirmed That Tony Stark Was Adopted

Tony Stark (Robert Downey, Jr.) has always had issues with his father. When Tony was first introduced in the 2008 Iron Man movie, the billionaire playboy launched the Marvel Cinematic Universe in the shadow of the legacy of his father. Fans were especially touched when they saw Tony making peace with Howard Stark in his time-travel adventure in Avengers: Endgame.

However, fans might have missed the revelation that Howard Stark didn't biologically father Tony. The film actually hints that he was adopted by his father and mother. Fans have been estimating Tony's age and birthday using information in Iron Man and Iron Man 2. Tony's SHIELD file gave everyone an exact date: May 29, 1970.

The date might seem solid enough, but in Avengers: Endgame, Tony comes across his father bringing "flowers and sauerkraut," suggesting that he's got a "hot date" for the night. Howard Stark then explains that his "wife is expecting...and too much time at the office."

According to Screen Rant, Tony's reaction to this statement is surprising. Wide-eyed, Tony asks Howard "how far along," Maria Stark might be.

Could Tony have been adopted in his timeline? Why was Tony surprised to see his mother actually pregnant in this version of the Marvel Cinematic Universe?

In the Marvel Comic Universe, Tony was adopted by the Starks. Howard and Maria Stark couldn't conceive. But a miracle happens and Maria gets pregnant. The only problem is that the biological son is born with a horrifying, degenerative condition. They then decide to adopt Tony and raise him without telling the truth.

Could Endgame have hinted at a similar origin? Or maybe we're just over reading. What do you think?

Avengers: Endgame is currently screening in cinemas.

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