Is it time for a new Iron Man?

So Robert Downey Jr. has fufilled his contract obligations with Marvel. Although he’s expected ( but not contracted?) to appear one more time as Tony Stark in the Avengers sequel. Many have been wondering if he will ever don the Iron Man suit again in any future marvel movies. In a recent interview with GQ, it kind of sounds like he’s actually looking forward to leaving the role behind him. Of course this could all be a negotiation tactic on his part.

Just because this is the franchise that revitalised his career, doesn’t mean he’s obligated to play the character for life. There will be a day when another actor will have to fill the armored boots of this character; it’s just a matter of time.

The actor is looking toward leaving Iron Man behind him and moving forward, thanks in part to an ankle injury he suffered doing a stunt, a wire jump he’d successfully completed many times before which resulted in him blowing out his ankle

“It got me thinking about how big the message from your cosmic sponsor needs to be before you pick it up. How many genre movies can I do? How many follow-ups to a successful follow-up are actually fun?,” he said.

“I come from a family of very innovative writers and directors and actors and artists, and the circle of friends they were in were the people I heard having pun-offs playing poker at two in the morning, and it was just the most comforting aspect of my childhood. So there’s this kind of legacy of souls from what I consider to be a very particular time in entertainment, and I’m sensing a return to that.”

When pushed a little further, the actor then hints that the end may come in about three years when he turns 50, but nothing is for certain.

“I don’t know. I don’t know. Right now I don’t have a contract to do anything, and I did for the last five years,” he added.

Few actors have taken comic book movie roles and have become basically interchangeable with the character. Hugh Jackman as Wolverine (actor not movie), Patrick Stewart as Professor X, and of course Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man. But if Marvel keeps expanding the Avengers’ roster and want to attract prime talent their budget will not be limitless. Since it seems he’s already tapped for Avengers 2, I expect them to give another deal for maybe 3 movies.

If and when the sad day finally comes who can you see as Tony Stark?

I’ve heard the name James Franco come up a lot, and he did replace RDJ in Oz………….