Just about six weeks ago things seemed to be looking ever so slightly up for Iron Man 4, with Robert Downey Jr. hinting that all things Marvel seemed great and adding, “Why give up the belt when it feels like you can barely get jabbed?” While all things Marvel are undoubtedly still great after a killer summer at the box office, Downey took some time over the weekend to clarify that there are no plans for an Iron Man 4 (it looks like Gwyneth Paltrow was right).
What’s changed in the past six weeks then? Well, Guardians of the Galaxy was a way bigger hit than most people expected it to be, and there’s a chance Marvel is feeling emboldened by the overall success of their brand (including recent hits like The Winter Soldier) to the point where they don’t need to pay another Downey-sized fee. To me, this means that there’s a chance that there will never be an Iron Man 4, not with RDJ. I’ll explain that in a second, but first hit the jump for Robert Downey Jr’s Iron Man 4 comments.
Downey recently told Variety:
“There isn’t one in the pipe. No, there’s no plan for a fourth Iron Man.”
I don't actually have a problem with this. I really loved Iron Man 3 but felt that it provided a satisfying end to Tony Stark's arc. Moreover, I kind of think this means Iron Man 4 will now never happen with Downey. Keep in mind that Marvel has at least eleven movies planned between now and May 3rd, 2019. If IM4 isn't one of those, do you really think Downey will have the desire to keep playing Tony Stark twelve, thirteen or fourteen years after making his debut in the armor? It's possible, but part of me doubts that it's at all likely.
