Rumors that Marvel Studios will move forward with "Iron Man 4" are still alive. However, as widely reported this past year, it may occur after Phase 3 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and that it might star Ty Simpkins as the new bearer of the suit. One new tidbit is that "Iron Man 4" may feature an improved version of the Bleeding Edge armor.
According to a report from Heroic Hollywood, set photos from "Captain America: Civil War" reveal that Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) will be using the Bleeding Edge armor for the film. This is evident with the square arc reactor in the suit's design and the fact that this was the armor used to defeat General Ross aka the Red Hulk (William Hurt).
Hurt was confirmed to be in "Captain America: Civil War" although there are no confirmations that he will transform into the Red Hulk. His inclusion and the set photo do appear to confirm that the Bleeding Edge armor will be Tony Stark's final design.
In the comic books, the Bleeding Edge armor is comprised of nano-machines that Tony Stark can mentally control. He can use them to create clothes, weapons, or a super-powered Iron Man suit. This ensures he no longer has to have a suit nearby or one in a briefcase.
Mentally controlling his armor was seen in the first "Avengers" film but instead of nano-machines, he had a bracelet that allowed the suit to lock onto him and attach itself. In "Iron Man 3," he was able to get rid of the bracelets while still achieving the same results.
If Marvel Studios does move forward with "Iron Man 4" — with or without Downey Jr. — it is likely that the armor in the film will only be a slight upgrade from the Bleeding Edge design.
