Robert Downey Jr. Signs on For ‘Avengers 2′ and ‘Avengers 3′
After weeks of speculation as to whether or not he would return, Robert Downey Jr. has officially signed on for the next two “Avengers” films.
Marvel made the announcement on their website Thursday.
Downey’s involvement could seem like a no-brainer to fans, but the 48 year-old actor had hinted in numerous interviews, including a recent segment on “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart,” that his days of playing Tony Stark were over.
But while Downey has agreed to suit up for more “Avengers” action, his new deal does not include a fourth “Iron Man” standalone film.
Downey’s contract, negotiated by CAA, comes on the heels of “Iron Man 3′s” outstanding performance at the worldwide box office. Disney’s 3D blockbuster is already the fifth highest-grossing movie of all-time with a giant $1.2 billion across the globe.
Joss Whedon, director of “The Avengers,” recently said in an interview that he had no intention of making a sequel to the without the Oscar-nominated actor.
“He is Iron Man,” Whedon said. “He is Iron Man in the way that Sean Connery was James Bond.”
Produced by Marvel’s Kevin Feige, “The Avengers 2″ arrives in theaters May 1, 2015.