Before Robert Downey Jr. was officially announced as a cast member for Captain America: Civil War, there was a lot of back and forth about whether Iron Man 4 would actually happen. Now that we know Tony Stark is definitely returning in the next Cap sequel, we haven't heard too much about Robert Downey Jr. starring in another standalone movie. Especially since we know he's returning in Avengers: Infinity War Part I in 2018. Though, many fans are still curious about whether or not Iron Man 4 will ever become a reality. Don't bank on it, according to the man behind the mask.

Robert Downey Jr. likes to refer to Captain America: Civil War as his own personal Iron Man 4. When the actor sat down with USA Today during a set visit for Captain America: Civil War, he sounded less than optimistic about ever putting the suit on again without having the Avengers at his back. He explains.

"I don't think that's in the cards. In a way it's Cap 3 but for me it's like my little Iron Man 4. And then it's back to the thing we all recognize. Everything pulls over to the side of the road when the thunder of an Avengers thing comes through because that's how it is until it changes. If it changes."

Robert Downey Jr. has no qualms about returning as Tony Stark in future Marvel movies, as long as he's not the sole headliner. There has been talk in the recent past that another actor could come in for future installments, making the character akin to James Bond and that franchise's rotating roster. But Robert Downey Jr. wants to play Tony Stark as long as Disney and Marvel let him.

Robert Downey Jr. first appeared as the iconic Marvel superhero in 2008's Iron Man. He then starred in the solo adventures Iron Man 2 in 2010 and Iron Man 3 in 2013. He's also participated in 2012's Marvel's The Avengers and its 2015 sequel Avengers: Age of Ultron. The Iron Man standalone franchise has grossed more than $2 billion worldwide. And Tony Stark is the most prominent member of the Avengers team.

While Robert Downey Jr. is returning in Avengers: Infinity War Part I, the fate of all the Avengers is said to change during the climactic end fight seen in Captain America: Civil War. A number of characters, whom we won't reveal here, are rumored to die on screen in this May's sequel. And there may even be more deaths before Avengers: Infinity War - Part II arrives in 2019. By 2020, Marvel's Cinematic Universe will look nothing like it does right now. It's possible that Iron Man 4 could be announced as part of Marvel Phase 4, but even if that's the case, we may be looking at a completely revamped Tony Stark.