Robert Downey Jr Signs For Two AVENGERS Sequels

Robert Downey Jr. will be back for Avengers 2 and 3 once again playing playboy billionaire and superhero Tony Stark, aka Iron Man. Marvels Studios has just signed a deal with the actor securing his services for the superhero sequels.

There had been much speculation as to whether Downey Jr would return to the superhero franchise he helped launch for Marvel after his initial contract with the studio – which covered his appearances in three Iron Man films, a cameo in The Incredible Hulk and last summer’s The Avengers – came to an end.

And while it is good to know that Downey will be back for the two schedule Avengers films, unless his contract is renegotiated there won’t be another Iron Man film until Phase 4 of Marvel’s interconnected superhero franchises, which would kick off sometime after the 2018 release of Avengers 3. Of course, by that time the actor will be 54 years old and Downey has previously expressed reluctance about playing the character after the age of 50.

Avengers writer/director Joss Whedon will be performing both tasks again for at least the first sequel. Production is expected to begin in March 2014 on Avengers 2 for a May 1, 2015 release.

Via Marvel.