After embodying Tony Stark close to perfection in Marvel’s big screen take on Iron Man, Robert Downey Jr. quickly became the fulcrum of the studio’s grand cinematic master-plan. In fact, the company quickly agreed a two-picture deal with Downey Jr. last year to ensure the star would reprise his role for Avengers: Age of Ultron and its inevitable sequel, Avengers 3. However, one potential sequel that was noticeably missing from said agreement was Iron Man 4.
Speaking with Variety during last weekend’s Toronto Film Festival, the actor reiterated that the studio doesn’t have any plans for a fourth Iron Man at this time, which puts everyone’s favourite genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist on an indefinite hiatus.
“There isn’t one in the pipe. No, there’s no plan for a fourth ‘Iron Man.’”
Despite its predecessor pulling in a staggering $1.2 billion at the worldwide box office, it seems unlikely that Marvel will extend Downey Jr.’s contract to encompass Iron Man 4. Of course, given that the star himself has played hardball with negotiations in the past — demanding $50 million to appear in The Avengers back in 2012 — it’s logical that Marvel will look to recast Tony Stark should an Iron Man 4 enter production in the future.
At 49, it’s clear that Downey Jr. wants to naturally move on from the franchise and hang up the iconic red and gold guise. After all, diversifying seems to be very much on the cards for the actor, as his recent performance in The Judge wholly typifies. As it were, it seems the seemingly inevitable separation is a very mutual agreement indeed.
So, while Iron Man 4 has been placed on the shelf for the time being, we can look forward to seeing Robert Downey Jr. return as Tony Stark for Avengers: Age of Ultron on May 1st, 2015.