Robert Downey Jr. doesn't think an Iron Man 4 is in the cards

Robert Downey Jr. doesn’t think an Iron Man 4 is in the cards

March 14th 2016, 6:09pm

Robert Downey Jr. is the special attraction of the Marvel Cinematic Universe now. He doesn't need to be Iron Man all the time, but when the moment calls for it, he shows up as the big deal that he's turned Tony Stark into and it means something. For anyone who might be a wrestling fan, he's like The Undertaker. He isn't always around, but then he shows up at WrestleMania, the fans go crazy, feeling as if they've seen something extraordinary, and then he goes away again until next year. Robert Downey has a similar deal. He doesn't need to be in a Thor or Doctor Strange movie, but when THE AVENGERS rolls around, you know he'll be there.

That was essentilly the deal RDJ had agreed to previously where it was only going to be AVENGERS movies he showed up for (barring Marvel willing to meet his price for any other individual instances). That changed when the idea for CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR was hatched, and, as a result, RDJ re-upped for another entry in the MCU. But what does that mean for Iron Man's future in the Marvel Cinematic Universe? Is there more Tony Stark story to tell on a solo basis, or is he strictly ensemble only these days?

In a conversation with USA Today, Robert Downey Jr. spoke about his thoughts on the prospect of an IRON MAN 4…

I don’t think that’s in the cards. In a way it’s Cap 3 but for me it’s like my little Iron Man 4. And then it’s back to the thing we all recognize. Everything pulls over to the side of the road when the thunder of an Avengers thing comes through because that’s how it is until it changes. If it changes.

Now theoretically Downey, even at the age of 51 currently, could still play Iron Man for awhile. He looks remarkably good for his age, and with the advances the industry continues to make in visual effects, he never has to climb into the Iron Man armor again.

But, as with all things Marvel, everything is about how the greater Cinematic Universe is served, and, with a pretty complete trilogy of Iron Man tales having already been told, a fourth one doesn't quite seem to blend into the fabric of what they're doing right now, namely building new heroes to step up into the limelight.

Robert Downey Jr. will always be such a mega force in the grand scheme of the MCU. He doesn't need another solo IRON MAN to maintain that. He can just keep being The Undertaker.