Will Robert Downey Jr. remain as Tony Stark in the fourth installment of the "Iron Man" movie?
Movie Pilot said there are rumors suggesting that the "Sherlock Holmes" actor might be replaced by a younger actor. The new actor is 13-year-old Ty Simpkins who also appeared in the previous "Iron Man" movie as Harley Keener.
In its estimate, Movie Pilot revealed that Simpkins would only be 17 or 18 when the new movie starts filming, if the rumors are true. "Iron Man 4" is set for 2019.
According to Cinema Blend, Simpkins has also starred in other movies such as "Revolutionary Road," "Insidious," and "The Next Three Days." However, it's his role in "Iron Man 3" that gave him a nomination for the Best Performance by a Younger Actor at the Saturn Awards. He is also set to appear in the upcoming "Jurassic World" movie.
"However, despite his impressive resume, it's a stretch to imagine that Marvel Studios believes he has the presence and charisma to replace Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man. Especially since there's an argument to be made that if Robert Downey Jr. hadn't been cast as Tony Stark, then Marvel wouldn't have achieved their subsequent success," Cinema Blend said.
Cinema Blend also revealed that these rumors are still unofficial as it has not yet even been confirmed if a fourth installment is really coming. Plus, Movie Pilot says that there is still no guarantee if Downey already let go of his Tony Stark role.
Downey's contract allegedly ended with "Iron Man 3," Cinema Blend reported. But it also noted that it was allegedly extended for the upcoming "Avengers: Age of Ultron" movie. If Downey continues to be Iron Man in 2019 then he will be 54 years old by then, Movie Pilot notes.
Movie Pilot reporter Stephen Adamson says that Marvel would be taking a "great risk" if it replaces Downey as Iron Man as it would not be the same. Cinema Blend's Gregory Wakeman, on the other hand, thinks a break is what the Iron Man character needs.
"It would make sense if Marvel decide to give the character a break for a few years. It's easy to forget how much of a risk it was when they originally decided to bring Iron Man to the big screen. He was still a cult commodity before 2008, but Jon Favreau's hugely enjoyable origin story, as well as his less successful 2010 follow-up and Shane Black's riotously entertaining Iron Man 3, have now turned the character into a pop-culture phenomenon," he said.
Wakeman added that Downey's involvement in the movies "Avengers: Age Of Ultron" and "Captain America: Civil War" might be Marvel's way of giving Iron Man "a truly bombastic and explosive farewell." This break may be used to further "solidify" the character's "iconic status" for further "Iron Man" movies.