Marvel Studios has just confirmed that Phase 3 of its Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) will end on Avengers: Infinity War Part 2” which is set to hit theaters in 2019. The other Marvel movie that is expected to be released that year is “Captain Marvel” which has been rumored to be taken on by a female actress.
Subsequently, Marvel lined up three movies in 2020 but has not given the official title for each. Previous rumors were saying that “Iron Man 4” will be one of those three mystery Marvel movies.
It is not clear whether there will be a Phase 4 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe or no longer but if there will be none, then “Iron Man 4” seems unlikely.
But if there is going to be a fourth phase to the MCU, it is likely that it would feature the other Marvel superheroes or the sequels to the other films.
From the looks of it, it appears that Marvel Studios has allocated up to three movies for each of its superhero. Iron Man had his three, Captain America just had his three. And the next one who shall have his three is Thor.
If Marvel Studios decide to make an “Iron Man 4,” it shall also be obligated to do a “Captain America 4” or a “Thor 4” which seem too far-fetched already. With that being said, the chances of having an “Iron Man 4” hitting theaters in 2020 or later look very slim, notes Game & Guide.
What the continuation of MCU may have in store
It seems that if there would be a continuation to the MCU, it would already feature the continuation of the other Marvel superhero stand-alone films. After the three Marvel superheroes have their three stand-alone movies, the next one to get his second is Ant-Man, in “Ant-Man and the Wasp.”
Given his popularity among Marvel superheroes, Spider-Man is likely to get his second and also his third servings in the MCU, that is, if those two films are within the bounds of the agreement between Marvel Studios and Sony Pictures, who holds the right to the web-slinging superhero.
In addition, there are also reports coming out saying that there has been a protracted negotiation happening between Marvel Studios and Robert Downey Jr., the actor who plays Tony Stark and Iron Man in the MCU, with regards to his salary for the possible “Iron Man 4.” Although it seems unlikely to be true considering that Marvel and the actor have yet to start working on the two-part final Avengers movie at this time.
It has been said that the actor is even willing to move on from playing the role of Tony Stark and Iron Man after “Avengers: Infinity War Part 2” so the rumored negotiations about “Iron Man 4” are merely based on hearsays at this juncture, reports News Everyday.
The same set of rumors is saying that Robert Downey Jr. might be replaced by a younger actor or actress who shall then take on the iron suit and become the next Iron Man. Though given the huge popularity of Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark and Iron Man, Marvel Studios would surely be courting huge fan backlash if it proceeds toward such direction.
Passing the baton to a female successor
The reports about Robert Downey Jr. being replaced by a younger actress for the Iron Man role stems from the fact that 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 for three years running. And if the production company is to do an “Iron Man 4,” it is possible that the actor’s salary might already make it past the $150 million mark.
When “Iron Man 3” was released in April 2013, Robert Downey Jr. was paid by Marvel Studios a whopping $50 million for it. Last year, despite being an action ensemble of Marvel superheroes, the actor was paid a staggering $80 million. This year, for the “Captain America: Civil War,” where Tony Stark and Iron Man only played support to Chris Evan’s Steve Rogers and Captain America, Robert Downey Jr. was paid $40 million.
RDJ expects to receive more than $80 million each for the two-part “Avengers: Infinity War” to hit theaters in 2018 and 2019.