Will there be an "Iron Man 4" and if so, will it star the beloved Robert Downey Jr.?
Audiences love RDJ as Iron Man and even Marvel icon Stan Lee has said as much when he commented that Downy "was born to be Iron Man." Given this reality, it comes with a bit of sadness that rumors have been circulating that the role of the armored superhero could be recast.
Venture Capital Post recently reported that Marvel's most popular movie franchise could be infused with a new superstar.
While Downey has been confirmed to play billionaire genius Tony Star/ Iron Man in both "Captain America: Civil War" as well as the upcoming "Avengers: Age of Ultron," other projects due later on like the rumored "Iron Man 4" and confirmed "Infinity Wars" films maybe seeing a new man behind the suit.
So far, we know that RDJ opted to work on Civil War instead of a fourth installment, as revealed by "The Judge" actor during an interview with Empire Magazine (via Cosmic Book News).
"They said to me, 'If we have you, we can do this, or Cap 3 has to be something else.' It's nice to feel needed. And at this point it's about helping each other, too. I look at it as a competition and I go, 'Wow, maybe if these two franchises teamed up and I can take even a lesser position, with people I like and directors I respect, maybe we can keep things bumping along."
Recalling an earlier report by MovieWeb that claims with Marvel Cinematic Universe's films lined up until 2019, sources indicate "Iron Man 4" could be happening by 2019 to 2020, at the earliest.
Given this, RDJ, 49, would be 55-years-old by the time the fourth installment is delivered. The publication notes rumors that Ty Simpkins, 13, who played Harley Keener in "Iron Man 3" would be groomed to be the new Iron Man.
However, VC Post does offer that there are still a number of ways to incorporate Robert, should they want him to remain associated with the franchise. One possibility would be having an older Tony Stark with a storyline that would support his age.
It's important to note that this remains all speculation until such time that an official announcement is made.
"Avengers: Age of Ultron" will be released May 1, "Captain America: Civil War" follows on May 6, 2016 while "Avengers: Infinity War Part 1" is out May 4, 2018 and Part 2 set to hit theaters on May 3, 2019.
