Robert Downey Jr as Iron Man
It has taken just over a week for Iron Man 3 to become the biggest grossing movie of 2013 having stormed the box in the U.S., the UK and the rest of the world.
Iron Man 3 was released to U.S. audiences this weekend and it has taken $175 million to make it the second biggest opening of all time behind Avengers Assemble.
So far the movie has taken an eye-watering $680 million and is on course to smash through the billion dollar barrier and follow in the very successful footsteps of last summer’s Marvel smash Avengers.
On the surface everything looks hunky dory with this franchise… however Robert Downey Jr is now out of contract. The Oscar nominated actor signed up to make three stand alone Iron Man movies so his tenure as the billionaire playboy who saves the world is up?
It is hard to believe that Marvel would not be up for making a fourth Iron Man film after the early success that this current instalment is having - but could this franchise be as successful without Robert Downey Jr?
There is no doubt that Iron Man turned around Downey Jr’s career as it propelled him back on to the A-list after a troubled few years.
But Downey Jr has absolutely made this character his own and you really can’t see anyone else stepping into the enormous shoes that he would leave behind.
Downey Jr brings a confidence and a swagger to this role and his observational and dry sense of humour is perfect for the character of Tony Stark.
But there have been a whole host of franchises that have changed their lead actor and gone on to have just as much success.
James Bond and Batman are two of the great examples of many actors taking on the same role and interpreting it in different and yet still successful ways.
No doubt there were questions over the survival of Bond when Sean Connery walked away but this is a franchise that has survived over fifty years with a range of actors playing 007.
Robert Downey Jr has brought this character to life and has connected Tony Stark with audiences in a way that directors, producers and studios can only dream of.
This actor’s appeal, charisma, humour and bucket loads of talent has made Iron Man the jewel in the Marvel crown and he would be incredibly difficult to replace - I personally cannot think of a single actor who is up to the task.
Marvel has hinted that Iron Man 4 will go ahead with or without Robert Downey Jr - fingers crossed this superb actor will be on board.
But a fourth Iron Man movie is a good few years away and now we must turn our attention to Avengers 2 where we are all expecting Downey Jr to return to the role of Tony Stark.
Avengers 2 will bring Phase Two of Marvel movies to a close and who knows what the future will hold for this character and this actor after 2015.
Iron Man 3 is out now.
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