Marvel Studios has not yet confirmed whether there will be an “Iron Man 4” or not at the conclusion of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) Phase 3 around 2019, that began with the showing of “Captain America: Civil War” in May this year.
There have been rumors saying that Marvel Studios is planning to recast the role of Tony Stark / Iron Man as Robert Downey Jr. no longer wants to do it because of the age factor. There are also reports saying that it is his salary for the possible “Iron Man 4” that is giving Marvel Studios the second thought whether to proceed with him as Tony Stark / Iron Man or not.
There are also speculations from some MCU critics that giving the role of Tony Stark / Iron Man to another actor would make the franchise really look awkward. They also add that recasting the role to feature another actor or actress just like in the comic books would not have the same cinematic impact as having Robert Downey Jr. playing the part. Nothing beats the original, they say.
Forbes recently released the net worth of Robert Downey Jr., and it amounted to $230 million. The figure spawned subsequent speculations saying that Marvel Studios would have a hard time convincing the actor to do an “Iron Man 4” because his price tag would have skyrocketed by the time they decide to make the movie in 2019 or 2020.
Robert Downey Jr. shall be appearing as Tony Stark / Iron Man in three more upcoming Marvel movies including “Spider-Man: Homecoming” next year, “Avengers: Infinity War Part 1” in 2018, and “Avengers: Infinity War Part 2.”
There could be another cameo role addition should Marvel decides to include him in the other stand-alone films of the other Avengers.
Capable or really playing the part
It can be recalled that Robert Downey Jr. rose from near ignominy because of his role as Tony Stark / Iron Man after succumbing to drugs and alcohol problem early in the new millennium. He has cleaned up his act and has been drug-free since 2003, reports Yibada.
His career stupor as an actor suddenly woke up when Marvel Studios tapped him to become Tony Stark / Iron Man in 2008 for the first “Iron Man” film and the rest is history. He has gone on to become the highest paid actor in three of the last four years on the Forbes list.
Tony Stark is a genius billionaire, playboy, and philanthropist, and given the current level of net worth of Robert Downey Jr., critics are saying that there is no better actor to play the role because RDJ can really live the part and be like Tony Stark in real life, except perhaps that of being a genius and inventor of weaponry and the iron suit too, details Game & Guide.
It would not be surprising also if Robert Downey Jr. decides to ask Marvel Studios to ask for a fat paycheck when they start doing “Iron Man 4” because he also knows that all the movies where he appeared as Tony Stark / Iron Man made money at the box office.
As it is, the ball is now in the hands of Marvel Studios whether it would see the merit in investing so much on Robert Downey Jr. to sort of ensure the box-office success of “Iron Man 4” or other movie offerings that may once again feature the Tony Stark / Iron Man character.
Passing the baton of his superhero ways
Meanwhile, in the Marvel comic books, Iron Man has already passed the baton of his superhero ways to a younger female successor in the name of Riri Williams and whose alter ego is going to be Iron Heart.
As such, rumors are now swirling that if and when Marvel Studios decide to give “Iron Man 4” a green light sometime in 2020 at the earliest, the movie might no longer show Robert Downey Jr. reprising his role as Tony Stark and Iron Man.
Instead, it is possible that Marvel might recast the role and follow the plotline on the comic books by assigning a young actress to take on the role of Riri Williams and Iron Heart.
However, that remains as mere speculation at this time pending the official confirmation or denial from Marvel Studios.
It is not the first time that rumors have said that Robert Downey Jr. shall be replaced with a female protagonist in “Iron Man 4.”
A few months ago, reports also started going around that Natasha Romanoff, also known as the Black Widow, played in the Marvel Cinematic Universe by actress Scarlett Johansson, shall become the lead for “Iron Man 4” also basing on the Marvel comic book featuring Iron Man and the Ultimates.
Based on the fan speculations, there are two possible reasons why Robert Downey Jr. might already opt out of the role of Tony Stark and Iron Man in “Iron Man 4.”
First is the age factor. The actor is not getting any younger and his body can only take so much of being in the iron suit and keeping up with the rigors of the role.
The second and more important factor is the budget that Marvel Studios would incur in making the film. Because of RDJ’s role as Tony Stark and Iron Man, he has become the highest-paid actor in the world in three of the last four years. And if the production company is to do an “Iron Man 4,” it is possible that the actor’s salary might already make it to the $150 million mark.