'The Avengers 2' Movie Cast: Robert Downey Jr. to Star as Iron Man
Marvel has solidified their relationship with Robert Downey Jr and managed to coax the actor into another two-film deal.
As Joss Whedon assembles his team for The Avengers 2, many feared that Downey would not return to the cast. Following Iron Man 3, Downey's four-film contract as the suave Tony Stark came to an end. Getting the iconic actor back into Iron Man's suit meant that Marvel had to meet his high costs.
Although Downey was paid upwards of $50 million for the previous Avengers flick, Whedon previously stated that he did not want to make the second installment without his original Iron Man.
'I'm what's known as 'a strategic cost,'" Downey told GQ of how he managed to finagle so much money in his contract while other members of the Avengers only walked away with around $2 million.
However, Downey's new contract is only for two films, The Avengers 2 and The Avengers 3. This still leaves the question of further Iron Man stand-alone films up in the air.
If Downey is not in a future Iron Man 4, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige is perfectly willing to cast another actor in his role.
"I believe there will be a fourth Iron Man film and a fifth and a sixth and a 10th and a 20th," Feige said, according to EW. "I see no reason why Tony Stark can't be as evergreen as James Bond."
For now though, Downey will continue to be the face of Marvel's "billionaire, genius, playboy, philanthropist."
