“Will Robert Downey Jr. retire from Iron Man?”

This has been a sore subject for debate over the past few weeks, spurred in part by our crass little April Fools’ joke, but it looks like Iron Man 3 director Shane Black has decidedly squashed all speculation with one, pithy statement. When asked if Robert Downey Jr. will return for Iron Man 4, the Black-meister (ooof… that last name does not lend itself to nicknames) had this to say:

“I think he’ll be back for another one. I’m sure of it.”

Was he speaking with some special insight into the situation? Had RDJ confessed to him “Marvel’s gonna give me a shit ton of money if I play Iron Man for 10 more movies!”… or is Shane Black making a simple guess, based on the actor’s love of the role.

I’d like to think that RDJ has secretly secured a new contract with Marvel, guaranteeing that the actor will remain firmly in place until his death… and beyond. Who wouldn’t pay to see the adventures of Necro-Iron Man? I know I would…

Alright, maybe that fanboy-ism was taken a bit too far. I don’t actually want to see an onscreen cadaver, let alone as the lead character. It was a very bad joke! Who do you think we are… those freak-a-deaks at Collider?

SOURCE: Independent