There have been a lot of back and forth about the fate of “Iron Man 4” even before Robert Downey Jr was officially announced to be in “Captain America: Civil War”.
When Marvel first revealed Phase 3 of their comic book flicks back in 2014, the sequels for “The Avengers”, “Thor”, and “Guardians of the Galaxy” were included but “Iron Man 4” was noticeably missing. Many fans are still wondering if Downey Jr would ever headline another solo movie. Don’t bank on it, said the man behind the power-suited hero.
While speaking to USA Today about “Civil War”, the highest-paid actor in Hollywood shared that even though he’d be willing to play Tony Stark for as long as the studio allows him, he sounded less than optimistic about a potential “Iron Man 4”. “I don’t think that’s in the cards,” he admitted.
Traditionally, movie franchises aim for trilogies by rounding out the story arcs with solid resolutions. According to Cinema Blend, Marvel has been operating on a different playing field, breaking new ground as they interchange heroes for standalone films and ensemble Avengers movies. So seeing Thor and other heroes extend their own trilogies makes more sense.
“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,” Downey Jr added. So perhaps this is the closest thing we’re getting to a quadrilogy.
Trailers for “Captain America: Civil War” have shown former allies Tony Stark (Iron Man) and Steve Rogers (Captain America) smacking the crap out of each other. However, Downey Jr wants fans to know that his character isn’t going full-on villain, unlike the story in the comic book series.
“If we’re going to go there, then we’ve got to save it for my swan song. I would still like to keep a general audience and mildly be in their favour somehow,” said the 51-year-old actor. As of right now, Iron Man’s part in the Marvel cinematic universe seems to be tied with the rest of the Avengers.
While Downey Jr is returning for “Avengers: Infinity War” Part 1 and 2 in 2018 and 2019, the fate of the Avengers is said to change during the climatic end in the upcoming “Captain America: Civil War”. A number of characters are rumoured to die on screen. There may be even more deaths before “Avengers: Infinity War Part 2” arrives.
But that’s another story for another day.
Be sure to catch “Captain America: Civil War” when hits theatres on 6th May 2016.
Sources: Movie Web, Slash Film, The Guardian.
