Marvel Studios Producer Confirms Iron Man Actor Robert Downey Jr. “No Longer Being On The Table”
Marvel Studios producer Stephen Broussard recently confirmed that Iron Man actor Robert Downey Jr. is no longer on the table when it comes to returning to the role of Iron Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Broussard recently spoke with Gizmodo about Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania and Marvel Studios’ plans for Phase 5.
He revealed Robert Downey Jr. was out when asked about how the Phase 4 entries would tie in to Marvel’s plans for Phase 5. Broussard said, “Well, I think one of the meta-narratives of Phase Four was about new characters. It was about new people stepping into mantles.”
“If you look at, like, Cassie [Lang in Quantumania] getting a suit and Kate Bishop [in Hawkeye], new characters being introduced like Jack in Werewolf by Night,” he explained.
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Broussard then revealed, “After these first 10 years of Marvel storytelling, torches are being passed, like with Robert Downey Jr. no longer being [on the] table and stuff like that. So it was kind of like a new generation stepping to the forefront which, again, has always happened in the comics.”
He went on, “Some of those themes are on full display in the thematics of this movie, like what is the responsibility of the last generation? So I think Phase Four was about introducing all these amazing characters and getting the chance to tell these stories.”
“Now that those players are on the board and there’s a big bad coming, it’s about like, “What are they going to do with that? What are they going to do with this power?” Because as you know, perhaps you’ve heard. With great power…,” he concluded.
Downey Jr. previously discussed a potential return to Iron Man and the Marvel Cinematic Universe in an interview with GQ back in April 2021.
Downey said, “I have alighted, for now. Real world to save. But never say never.”
Actors like Hugh Jackman have returned to their roles after being emphatic that they would not. Jackman made it clear he was done with Wolverine a number of times. In 2021 he said, ““I realized before we shot Logan, I was like, ‘We got the idea, we knew what it was going to be — ish, right?’ And I thought, ‘This is it.’”
And that really helped me. It really helped knowing I was going into my last season that it was my last season. That I made the most of it,” he continued.
He concluded, “And it’s still a character I hold close to my heart. But I know it’s done. Tell that to whoever you want, but please tell it to Ryan [Reynolds] because he doesn’t believe it. He thinks I’m joking. Please.”
Despite indicating he was done with the character and the role, Jackman is returning to Wolverine alongside Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool in Deadpool 3.
Jackman confirmed his return during an announcement for the film shared to Ryan Reynold’s social media.
Reynolds began the video saying, ““I’ve had to really search my soul on this one. His first appearance in the MCU obviously needs to feel special. We need to stay true to the character, find new depth, and motivation, new meaning.”
“Every Deadpool needs to stand out and stand apart,” he continued. “It’s been an incredible challenge that has forced me to reach down deep inside and I have nothing. Just completely empty up here. And terrifying. But we did have one idea.”
Jackman then walks behind him as Reynolds asks, “Hey, Hugh, you want to play Wolverine one more time?” Jackman replies, “Yeah, sure, Ryan.” It’s then revealed the film will arrive in theaters on September 6, 2024.
Hard keeping my mouth sewn shut about this one. ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/OdV7JmAkEu
— Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds) September 27, 2022
So while Broussard might be saying Downey Jr. is out now, there is still the possibility that he could return to the role sometime in the future.
What do you make of Broussard’s comments?
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