If there’s one major stumbling block to the return of Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark for “Iron Man 4,” it is no other than the issue of money.
Immediately after “Iron Man 3” was shown in 2013, there have been talks of negotiations between Marvel and the actor for his possible return for “Iron Man 4.”
However, it seems that negotiations have come to a stalemate because of money matters as it appears that Robert Downey Jr. would no longer settle for what he got for “The Avengers” that was shown in 2012 and “Iron Man 3” released the following year.
According to Cinema Blend, the actor got a cool $50 million for “The Avengers” including bonuses and backend compensation. He also got the same amount for “Iron Man 3.”
However, with the immense success of “Iron Man 3” which became the 7th all-time top grossing film in history with its worldwide box office take of $1.22 billion, it is likely that RDJ upped his ante a bit thus resulting to procrastinated negotiations between him and Marvel.
For sure, he got paid not less than $50 million for his stint in the recently-shown “Avengers: Age of Ultron” and he would likely earn the same or more for “Captain America: Civil War.”
Considering the massive box-office take of “Iron Man 3,” the actor may have likely raised his asking price for the solo movie and thus prompting Marvel to rethink its options regarding “Iron Man 4” putting into consideration the production cost involve in coming up with a third sequel of the very successful “Iron Man” franchise.
Still positive for RDJ’s return
“Iron Man 3” director and writer Shane Black however has the opinion that Robert Downey Jr. will be back to reprise his role as Tony Stark and Iron Man in “Iron Man 4,” which he believes will hit theaters in 2018.
There have been reports that Robert Downey Jr. shall no longer be back for “Iron Man 4” as the young Harley Skeener would take over the spot of Tony Stark in the iron suit. It has been reported as early as late last year that 13-year-old actor Ty Simpkins would take the spot and shall become the lead actor for “Iron Man 4.”
Marvel Studios has been very quiet about “Iron Man 4,” not bothering to issue any statement to confirm or deny those reports or rumors and clarifying whether fans have seen the last of the outspoken Robert Downey Jr. in the iron suit.
Director Shane Black believes that the blockbuster that “Iron Man 3” has become, any logical man in Marvel would not just throw away that success and gamble with a new formula.
Donning the suit some more
That’s in addition to the fact that Robert Downey Jr. will be donning his Tony Stark role and Iron Man suit once again in at least three more Marvel movies in the future from next year beginning with “Captain America: Civil War” due in 2016, “Avengers: Infinity War Part 1” to be released in 2018, and “Avengers: Infinity War Part 2” to be released in 2019.