It is already a foregone conclusion that while many movies right now are mining inspiration from comic books, it is kind of impossible to translate a long-running series in a slew of blockbuster movies. Not only can the narrative become exponentially convoluted, anything is also very much possible, which is something that might be a bit difficult to imbibe in live-action media. Case in point is the passing of the mantle so to speak in terms of characters most notably in the Marvel Universe. With still no news about the tipped "Iron Man 4," fans are aware of the possibility that should Tony Stark star in a new standalone film, it may no longer be played by Robert Downey Jr.
Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige is open to the idea of recasting some of their big screen characters and since Iron Man was the pioneering role, he is most likely the first one to get a new persona. The producer extraordinaire was asked by Variety about the long-term plan for the massive Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and while he did not exactly pitch it, he certainly was not dismissing the option.
"We have a new Spider-Man right now who was in our 'Civil War' film and is in 'Spider-Man: Homecoming,' and the audience has embraced it. And you can look to Sherlock Holmes, James Bond, and Batman as characters that last longer than any one actor playing them. There's a precedent for it in other franchises that suggests it's possible," he explained.
For those who are already freaking out over the idea of a new actor wearing the red and gold suit, pause for a bit. Feige adds that although this is possible, it is not happening anytime soon and RDJ is still Iron Man — at least in the foreseeable future. He ends saying, "Right now I don't want to think about it and don't need to think about it," prompting fans to not focus on the idea too much.
In the MCU, RDJ is still tipped to play the genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist for quite a while with the Marvel ensemble spectacle that is "Avengers: Infinity War" not going to be out until 2018. After that, a Phase 3 capper in the yet to be titled "Avengers 4" is also in the pipeline a year after and as long as Stark survives the initial battle against mad titan Thanos (Josh Brolin), it is safe to say that he will also be in the fourth Russo brothers (Joe and Anthony) directed film.
Aside from the ensemble flicks, RDJ is also set to reprise his iconic superhero role in the Tom Holland starrer "Spider-Man Homecoming" out on July 7, 2017.
