Link; [url]http://ca.ign.com/articles/2013/04/16/robert-downey-jr-talks-iron-man-retirement?utm_campaign=twposts&utm_source=twitter[/url] [quote]With Iron Man 3 hitting theaters in just a couple of weeks, press chatter has once again turned to Robert Downey Jr.'s future with Marvel. The actor's contract ends with this latest sequel, and that leaves many fans wondering what that means for our beloved Tony Stark. In a recent interview with GQ, Downey Jr. explained what's been going through his head in terms of retiring the character. "This period of time, this shall pass," Downey Jr. said. "Fortunately I've been around the block enough -- I'm not ill-prepared. And I love change. I love it when a lightning bolt hits the genny and you're down for two hours on the set. Now, this isn't a lightning strike, this is like the warning of a gathering storm."The "gathering storm" in question refers to Downey Jr.'s injury on the set of Iron Man 3, which shut down the production for several weeks. "It got me thinking about how big the message from your cosmic sponsor needs to be before you pick it up," he says. "How many genre movies can I do? How many follow-ups to a successful follow-up are actually fun? Because, as quiet as it's kept, I come from a family of very innovative writers and directors and actors and artists... So there's this kind of legacy of souls from what I consider to be a very particular time in entertainment, and I'm sensing a return to that -- it's what me and the missus are doing next. It's not unlike: I heard Brady signed on for three more years with New England, and then he's done being a QB, because he'll be 40. I'm 47, and I'll be 50." Although he hasn't formally signed on for The Avengers 2 yet, it's extremely likely that Downey Jr. will at least turn up for that film, if what he's hinting at now is true -- although it's no secret that money is at least a partial factor. The actor earned $50 million for The Avengers, and he admits that payment is in consideration for the sequel. "Me, the agents and the lawyers are having a bit of a ball right now," he noted. That said, it's possible that The Avengers 2 could be the end of the road for Downey Jr.'s Tony Stark. Following that, does Marvel recast the role -- or... could Joss Whedon be planning to kill Iron Man? A lot to consider, but until then, we'll have to wait and see how it all shakes out.[/quote] So while it still seems likely he'll be in The Avengers 2 (not a given) it doesn't look good for him returning in any other Marvel related movies. It kind of sucks seeing as a lot of people liked him as Iron Man/Tony Stark including myself. I can't really see anyone else playing the character. It would be like someone else playing Wolverine instead of Hugh Jackman. So if he does retire, what would you like to happen to the character? Cast someone else? Kill off Iron Man? What do you think?