Robert Downey Jr. held the mantle of Iron Man, becoming the iconic face of the Marvel Cinematic Universe for over a decade. During his tenure, he delighted fans with three highly successful Iron Man films and numerous unforgettable superhero ensemble movies.
Nonetheless, there was a moment when Downey expressed keen interest in pursuing a fourth standalone Iron Man installment. Consequently, his disappointment was understandable when Iron Man 4 failed to materialize.
Robert Downey Jr’s Was Bombed About Iron Man 4
The Iron Man trilogy stands as one of the most triumphant solo superhero trilogies to date, with Iron Man 3 alone amassing a staggering $1.2 billion at the box office. Given this trilogy’s remarkable success and the immense popularity of Downey’s Iron Man, speculations and excitement continued to swirl regarding a potential fourth installment. However, Downey finally addressed the status of Iron Man 4, saying he wasn’t aware of the existence of a script.
The absence of Iron Man 4 didn’t equate to the absence of Iron Man altogether, as the iconic superhero made appearances in various Avengers films thereafter. Nevertheless, the star expressed that he would have been intrigued by the possibility of one more solo film.
Robert Downey Jr. expressed his feelings about the Avengers project, acknowledging it as another chance, but he was disappointed to admit that there were no discussions about Iron Man 4. Despite his initial letdown, he conveyed his faith in MCU’s broader creative direction. He also humorously observed that these genre films often seem like closely guarded secrets.
Downey Jr. said on The Off Camera Show:
“Avengers was another opportunity, but they’re not talking about Iron Man 4. I was kind of bombed out to tell the truth, but maybe they’ve got bigger fish to fry and I trust their overall vision. The funny thing about these genre movies is you’d think they were national secrets,”
Numerous enthusiasts have voiced their longing for another appearance of Robert Downey Jr. in the iconic Iron Man attire. However, while the uncertainty of the future remains, Downey believes that a significant chapter has indeed come to a close, and he’s prepared to embrace the next phase of his journey.
Robert Downey Jr. Felt Superhero Genre Was Losing Its Charm
While Robert Downey Jr. undeniably played a significant role in elevating the superhero movie genre to new heights, even the star of Infinity War sensed that the genre might be losing its freshness. In an interview with The Telegraph, he candidly expressed his thoughts on the lucrative genre.
Downey Jr. told The Telegraph:
“Honestly, the whole thing is just showing the beginning signs of fraying around the edges. It’s a little bit old. Last summer there were five or seven different ones out. I feel that they are critiqued by a different metric to any other movie.”
The idea that a film’s success should primarily be gauged by its box office earnings was a prevalent notion. However, Robert Downey Jr. argued that superhero films were often judged by a distinct set of criteria.
Robert Downey Jr. pointed out that superhero films operated on a unique wavelength, which made them more forgiving in the eyes of the audience. It’s akin to watching a group of skilled dancers, and the focus tends to be on the one dancer who continually alters her leg warmers, all while these films rake in substantial profits.
Iron Man is available for streaming on Disney+.
Source: The Off Camera Show, The Telegraph
