The guessing game on the fate of the "Iron Man" franchise continues as Robert Downey Jr. and Marvel Studios continue their radio silence about the fourth installment of the movie series.
Rumors have claimed that Downey is planning to retire his Iron Man suit after three stand-alone "Iron Man" films, two "Avengers" participations and appearances in other movies in the Marvel Cinematic Universe such as "The Incredible Hulk," "Captain America: Civil War" and the upcoming "Spider-Man: Homecoming."
In March, Downey told USA Today that "Captain America: Civil War" will be the last film where he will reprise his role as Tony Stark/Iron Man.
"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," the actor said. "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."
But the actor appeared to have changed his mind when he spoke to ABC News in April, saying that its possible for him to do another "Iron Man" film in the future.
Also, "Iron Man" director Jon Favreau told Comic Book Movie that it will be hard to imagine an "Iron Man" film without Downey in it.
"I can't imagine how they could but that doesn't mean that they can't. I just can't wrap my head around that one," Favreau said. "To me he's the one element that has unified all of it, and I think kept a consistent tone, and the integrity of his acting ability and his talent really works wonderfully synergistically with the Marvel universe."
Other speculations claimed that the fourth "Iron Man" film will become a prequel to the current trilogy. Yet Marvel continues to be mum about the validity of the report.
