Joss Whedon said that he has no intention of making Avengers 2 without Robert Downey Jr playing Iron Man. The writer/director won’t have to worry about that now. Marvel has confirmed that Downey Jr. will be back as Tony Stark.
In an official statement this afternoon, Marvel said that Downey Jr. has signed a two-picture deal that includes both Avengers 2 and Avengers 3. The statement also confirmed that production on Avengers 2 will start in March 2014 and that the movie is still scheduled for May 1, 2015.
The news comes after wide speculation about Downey Jr.’s future. His contract with Disney’s Marvel had only covered up to Iron Man 3, which was released last month. While his enormous paycheck might have been a concern (He was paid $50 million to appear in The Avengers), others wondered about his age. He turns 49 next year and will be 50 by the time Avengers 2 is released. Clearly, Disney and Marvel aren’t concerned about his age.
Earlier this month, Whedon told the Daily Beast that he expected Downey Jr. to come back.
“He is Iron Man. He is Iron Man in the way that Sean Connery was James Bond,” he said. “I have no intention of making Avengers 2 without him, nor do I think I’ll be called upon to do that. I don’t think it’s in my interest, Marvel’s interest, or his interest, and I think everything will be fine.”
The Avengers grossed $1.2 billion worldwide. Iron Man 3 just hit $400 million at the domestic box office.
image: NBC