Let's admit something: no one has any idea if there's going to be a fourth "Iron Man" movie or not. Not even Robert Downey, Jr., it seems. Previously (according to Reality Today), the flagship Marvel Cinematic Universe star has admitted outright that there both will and won't be an "Iron Man 4." On the "Ellen Degeneres Show,' Downey, Jr. proclaimed that "Okay. Yes!"- there'd be a fourth film. And then, when interviewed by Variety, Downey, Jr. said the exact opposite: "There isn't one in the pipe. No, there's no plan for a fourth 'Iron Man.'"
But would an "Iron Man 4" even fit into the current Marvel Cinematic Unverse? It's not clear. And when given the option between another solo "Iron Man" film and showing up in other character's films (say, "Captain America: Civil War," where Tony Stark will play somewhat of a bad guy), it sounds like Downey, Jr. is going with the latter.
In speaking with Empire Magazine (via Cosmic Book News), Downey, Jr. admitted why he originally chose to do "Civil War" over another solo installment of the "Iron Man" franchise.
"They said to me, 'If we have you, we can do this, or Cap 3 has to be something else.' It's nice to feel needed. And at this point it's about helping each other, too. I look at it as a competition and I go, 'Wow, maybe if these two franchises teamed up and I can take even a lesser position, with people I like and directors I respect, maybe we can keep things bumping along.'"
But while Downey, Jr. seems to have moved on to other Marvel franchises, Jeff Bridges revealed he originally wanted to come back for another sequel as the villainous Obadiah Stane. It may not be possible at this point, but who knows? The Marvel Cinematic Universe is set to continue for at least another six or seven years. Probably more. In all that time, there's bound to be another "Iron Man" and some point.
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