Robert Downey, Jr. signs on for two more 'Avengers' movies

Credit: Marvel Studios

Marvel has made the official announcement, after rumors of a possible recasting horrified diehard fans, that Robert Downey, Jr. will definitely continue as Iron Man for the foreseeable future. The actor has signed on to reprise his role as Tony Stark/Iron Man for the next two installments in The Avengers franchise.

From the official statement:

Under the two-picture agreement, Downey will star as Tony Stark/Iron Man in “Marvel’s The Avengers 2” and “Marvel’s The Avengers 3.” Downey is represented at CAA by Bryan Lourd, Jim Toth and Matt Leaf and by his attorneys Tom Hansen and Stewart Brookman of the firm Hansen Jacobson. Downey, Jr.’s last two Marvel films, 2012’s “Marvel’s The Avengers” and this year’s “Iron Man 3,” rank as two of the top five grossing films of all time, collectively earning over $2.7 billion worldwide to date.

“Marvel’s The Avengers 2” is being written and directed by Joss Whedon. Featuring favorites from the first Avengers film and new Marvel characters never before seen on the big screen, “Marvel’s The Avengers 2” is slated to begin production in March 2014 and open in theaters May 1, 2015.

I don't think they ever, in a million years, could have gotten away with recasting Robert Downey, Jr., so this is a wise decision from the studio. Hopefully, none of the other principal Avengers hold up the studio for money, since I imagine audiences (and, of course, the studio) would prefer not to have to find new actors. It's unfortunate, in some ways, since none of the other Avengers had the two-feature head start that Downey had to familiarize audiences with their portrayal. Thus, Downey has more leverage in the sense that audiences likely wouldn't stand for his being replaced.

That said, it's not really anyone's fault, all things considered. If The Avengers has a star, it's Robert Downey, Jr., so it stands to reason he'd rake in the big bucks over his co-stars. As it stands now, however, Jeremy Renner is already rumored not to return. It would be disastrous, at this point, to lose anyone else.