Marvel’s Iron Man threequel grossed a serious amount of coin back in 2013 ($1.2 billion worldwide), and remains one of the studio’s most successful films to date. Because of this, many felt it would only be a matter of time before a fourth instalment was greenlit – but with star Robert Downey Jr. booked up for several more MCU appearances and his contract winding down, another solo adventure for the Armoured Avenger began to seem more and more unlikely.
Well, if you were still holding out hope, Downey Jr. is here to bring you a dose of reality. The actor admitted to USA Today that another solo movie is unlikely, but that he views Captain America: Civil War as “his Iron Man 4” in a way.
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.
If this disappoints you, remember that you can never say never in the movie industry. Contracts can be renegotiated, new and interesting stories can be pitched – and hey, even if we never get Iron Man 4, we’ll still be seeing plenty more of Downey Jr. as Tony Stark before he hangs up the repulser rays for good.