Marvel-ous: Downey Jr. Set as Iron Man for Foreseeable Future

Get used to being Tony Stark, RDj; you’re going to be there for a while.

Variety brings the announcement that Robert Downey Jr. has officially signed on with Marvel to play Tony Stark in not just Iron Man 2, but also The Avengers and a third Iron Man film. This is apparently part of a four picture deal, so that leaves one movie for Downey to play with. Most likely another Avengers film. Or maybe a role in that Superman reboot. Ha ha ha ha–sorry, just talking about the mythical Superman reboot gives me the giggles.

Jon Favreau is signed up to direct Iron Man 2 and will produce The Avengers. Marvel also officially confirmed that Don Cheadle is replacing Terrence Howard as Col. James Rhodes in the Iron Man movies. Cheadle will also play the character in The Avengers.

It’s a good thing Marvel was able to lock up Downey–his name seems to have been linked with about ten thousand casting rumors. He’s currently shooting  Sherlock Holmes in London, and that also seems like a potential franchise character. Audiences wouldn’t stand for his replacement at this point.

Downey isn’t stupid, of course. He’s been in the business long enough to know you’re not always hot, so when you are, you better grab as much as possible. Considering he’s a damn fine actor, that’s something none of us will complain about.