'Iron Man 4' Cast & Release Date: No More Robert Downey Installments? Marvel Giving Iron Man a Break Then Recast Iconic Role [Rumors]

Fans of the "Iron Man" franchise want to see Robert Downey Jr. in "Iron Man 4." Unfortunately, a new report claims that the actor will not be involved in the next films.

This will be a big disappointment to Downey Jr.'s fans who are hoping that the highest-paid actor will reprise his role. According to Fansided, at some point the "Sherlock Holmes" star has to quit playing the Tony Stark role. That's a fact that many fans have to deal with and this change will be an opportunity for some younger actors.

The report claimed that Ty Simpkins, the 14-year-old actor who played as Harley Keener in "Iron Man 3" will be taking over "Iron Man." Marvel could hand off the identity to him or cast him as the younger Stark because he looks like him.

Unfortunately, Downey Jr. is irreplaceable. "Despite his impressive resume, it's a stretch to imagine that Marvel Studios believes he has the presence and charisma to replace Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man," CinemaBlend reported. "There's an argument to be made that if Robert Downey Jr. hadn't been cast as Tony Stark, then Marvel wouldn't have achieved their subsequent success."

Parent Herald previously reported that Downey Jr.'s is demanding for a $50 million salary increase to reprise his role in "Iron Man 4." This caused the delay of the production. In a separate report from Parent Herald, while Marvel and "The Avengers" star were still in negotiation, it was learned that the actor is now demanding for a percentage of income rather than a fixed amount because he is sure that the show will be making tons of money.

Per CrossMap, Marvel Studios has scheduled three untitled movies for 2020 and fans believe that the much awaited "Iron Man 4" is among these upcoming titles.

So if "Iron Man 4" is due five years from now, the earliest production might be on 2018. Marvel is currently working on "All-New, All-Different Marvel series" and when Marvel claims this, they were not kidding. So, there's a big possibility that the next Iron Man may not include Downey Jr.

In fact, they have already started adding a new perspective on Tony Stark's romantic life. Comic Book writer Brian Bendes admitted that Spider-Man's soul mate Mary Jane Watson will be joining the world of the self-proclaimed genius, billionaire, playboy, and philanthropist Stark. However, many fans do not find this idea appealing.

"They know each other. She used to live in Avengers Tower. But that's all I'm going to say for now because what kind of relationship they end up having is a big part of what I would like people to buy the book for," Bendes explained.

Do you agree with Marvel replacing Downey Jr. in "Iron Man 4?" Share your thoughts in the comment section below.