Marvel's ‘Iron Man 4’ to Cast Robert Downey, Jr.? Actor retorts “OK, YES”, to Ellen DeGeneres; Only if Mel Gibson will direct

By Staff Writer

Oct 08 2014, 08:23 AM EDT

Remember that interview with Robert Downey, Jr. by Variety last month wherein the actor put a lid on rumors about a fourth "Iron Man" installment?

"There isn't one in the pipe," said Downey. "No, there's no plan for a fourth 'Iron Man."

The mutual feeling among fans and buffs was dismal. Just dismal.

But despair no longer and abandon hope no more, Iron Man enthusiasts.

In a recent appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Downey was talking about his upcoming movie "The Judge", according to Entertainment Weekly, when Ellen asked him straight up if there will be a fourth "Iron Man" movie.

Downey replied, "I know there's gonna be a bunch more Marvel movies and they have big ideas of how to do it best, and we're in the middle of negotiations, and blah blah blah..."

"So, yes," said Ellen to confirm.

"Ok, YES," answered Downey.

That's pretty much everything about the movie for now, as it's unlikely that Marvel, added Entertainment Weekly, will announce anything official until after the May 1 release of "Avengers: Age of Ultron" next year.

Furthermore, in an earlier interview with Mike Fleming, Jr. of Deadline, Downey only entertained the idea of doing "Iron Man 4" if it will be directed by his friend Mel Gibson, who hasn't directed since 2006's "Apocalypto".

"Marvel badly wants Iron Man 4 and you've said you aren't doing it. How about the idea you'll do that movie if Mel directs it?" Deadline asked.

"Correct," Downey replied.

When asked why Gibson should be back directing and starring in movies again, given that giving a talented person a chance could result in redemption, Downey responded, "Nobody should make a case for somebody who just wants forgiveness but hasn't changed, but he's a fundamentally different guy. I think it was just the very worst aspects of somebody's psyche being treated as though they were the blanket statement about a person. But honestly we are talking about a competitive business and it all comes down to this: because he is so gifted as a story teller and a director, I don't know that he requires some sort of mass forgiveness."