Who is the next Tony Stark?

The "next Tony Stark" could be interpreted in a few ways, depending on how you approach the concept of legacy. If you're referring to who might step into the role of a brilliant inventor, wealthy philanthropist, and leader of the Avengers in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), a few candidates have emerged or could emerge in future storylines.

1. Riri Williams (Ironheart) – In the comics, Riri Williams is often considered a successor to Tony Stark. A genius inventor, Riri builds her own suit of armor in the same vein as Iron Man and takes on the superhero name Ironheart. Riri will be introduced in the MCU in Ironheart, a Disney+ series, and has already made her debut in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (played by Dominique Thorne). She’s expected to play a significant role in the future of the MCU as a new, younger tech genius who could take up the mantle of Iron Man in her own way.

2. Shuri – While not a direct "replacement," Shuri (played by Letitia Wright) from Black Panther could be seen as a key figure in the future of technology and innovation in the MCU. She's already shown her genius-level intellect in Black Panther and Avengers: Infinity War. In Wakanda Forever, Shuri becomes the Black Panther and proves herself to be a capable leader, but her skills in engineering and tech could also place her in a position to fill a Tony Stark-like role in the future of the MCU, especially as Wakanda opens up more to the outside world.

3. Peter Parker (Spider-Man) – While not an inventor in the same way Tony Stark is, Peter Parker (Tom Holland) has been mentored by Tony Stark, and in many ways, Tony's legacy lives on through him. In Spider-Man: Far From Home, Peter is given Stark's technology and becomes involved in the creation of new tech. In Spider-Man: No Way Home, Peter’s journey takes him beyond Stark’s influence, but he’s still deeply shaped by the lessons Tony taught him. Though Peter isn’t an inventor like Tony, his moral compass and leadership could make him a successor in terms of character and responsibility.

4. James "Rhodey" Rhodes (War Machine) – While Rhodey has been Tony Stark’s close friend and ally, he’s always been more of a military figure than an inventor. However, Rhodey could take on a more prominent leadership role in the MCU, especially given his experience with Tony’s technology and his military background. He could emerge as a key figure in future Avengers teams.

5. The Multiverse Possibilities – With the multiverse expanding in the MCU, there could be alternate versions of Tony Stark who may play significant roles in upcoming films or series. In this case, other versions of Stark or similar characters from different universes could emerge to fill that role in their own ways.

In summary, Riri Williams (Ironheart) is probably the most direct successor to Tony Stark in terms of technology and role as Iron Man in the MCU, but characters like Shuri, Peter Parker, and Rhodey could also inherit parts of Tony’s legacy in different ways. It will depend on how the MCU continues to evolve in the coming years.