• Robert Downey Jr. may be replaced by a younger actor as the star might be too old to reprise Tony Stark role.

Robert Downey Jr. may be replaced by a younger actor as the star might be too old to reprise Tony Stark role. (Photo : Getty Images/ Kevin Winter)

It has been three years since "Iron Man 3" was released to theatres, and now, fans are real excited and anticipating for the next installment, which is "Iron Man 3." There have been rumors about Riri Williams replacing Tony Stark, Stark might be passing the baton in "Iron Man 4."

Although it is hard to imagine anyone one else other than Robert Downey Jr. taking the Iron Man mantle, there are rumors that the actor might be replaced by a younger actor as the star might be too old to reprise Tony Stark role.

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Robert Downey Jr. himself shared on his Twitter page an image of Riri Williams with a caption about him getting set for a new generation of Marvel. The actor could possibly be referring to the "Invincible Iron Man" comic book, of course.


Robert Downey Jr. is now synonymous to superhero Iron Man and billionaire playboy-philantrophist. There is no question that the fate and success of the "Iron Man" franchise and the emergence of the Marvel superhero universe were largely as a result of Downey's portrayal of Tony Stark.

Fans of the superhero can also expect to see the actor repeat his "Iron Man" role in the "Spiderman: Homecoming" and the next two "Avengers: Infinity War" movies in 2018. However, "Iron Man 4" might be the last time the star will do the iron suit.

Initially, it might have been unbelievable for anyone else to replace Downey in "Iron Man," but of late, things have taken a new turn and the actor seems okay and more than willing to embrace it, as expressed in his tweet showing Riri Williams as the new superhero, Ironheart, Wired reported.

However, Fusion  made a report that sees a different story to "Iron Heart," the report says that the name is linked to a certain Japanese pornography site. This questions the research done by Marvel before coming up with the new code name for Riri Williams, who is said to be wearing the suit in "Iron Man 4" movie.

In the non-comic book, Williams is portrayed as a 15-year-old genius who made a prototype of her own Iron Man suit during his studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Stark then got wind of her skill and talent and ended up inspiring the young girl.

Although it was obvious that Downey was just paying homage to the latest version of the "Invincible Iron Man" comic, his tweet made fans talk of him been replaced by a younger character in the films. Initial reports suggested that the role might be played by a young boy, Ty Simpkins, who Stark befriended in "Iron Man 3." The boy is now 15 years old and many fans say he would make an interesting choice as the next Iron Man.

Even with these rumors, Downey himself previously said he is interested in doing one more "Iron Man" film. In an appearance on Ellen, Downey said he is in talks with Marvel for "Iron Man 4."

There are ongoing speculations that Marvel Studios and Downey are in disagreements over the actor's contract for "Iron Man 4." Others are arguing that the 51-year-old "Sherlock" actor might even be too old to act Stark.

Before the release of "Iron Man 4," a lot can change between now and the firm's alleged 2020 debut date.

In the meantime, fans will enjoy watching as Downey takes on Iron Man in "Spider-Man: Homecoming" where will play mentor to Tom Holland's Peter Parker. Holland made an appearance in "Captain America: Civil War" after his character was tapped by Stark to join Team Iron Man.

Watch "Iron Man 4" Official Trailer here: