Robert Downey Jr. Announces His Return For Avengers 4

As evidenced by the steady stream of set photos, Atlanta is still playing host to Avengers 4, Marvel’s unnamed sequel currently on course for a release in 2019.

Nipping at the heels of Infinity War, directors Joe and Anthony Russo have now switched gears to orchestrate the second, conclusive chapter in their two-part epic, which presumably pits Earth’s Mightiest Heroes against Thanos for the final time in May of 2019.

Most of the MCU characters are expected to feature in some shape or form, but with Infinity War promising to bring about the death of a hero or two, fans have been furiously speculating as to who’s going to make it out alive and who won’t. Already, we can tell you that the likes of Black Widow, Hawkeye, Cap, Bucky, Ant-Man, Black Panther and Hulk will all live to see another day, and now, we can confirm that the main man himself will be back for more, too.

Yup, that’s right, Robert Downey Jr. took to Instagram today to break the news, posting the below photo along with the caption: New flick, new short chair. #lumbarsupport #marvel #bts

Though hardly a picture to stop the presses, it’s still nice to get concrete proof that Iron Man will indeed be in Avengers 4. Not that there was much doubt cast over his involvement, mind you, but with so many rumors of a major death happening in Infinity War and Downey Jr.’s days in the MCU definitely winding down, there was always the possibility that Marvel could retire him before the grande finale of Phase 3. Of course, this confirmation doesn’t mean that the Avengers leader won’t still meet his maker, but at least we know he’ll live to see the final chapter in this epic saga – which is great news.

Where the characters goes after that, however, is still very much unknown, and given that the studio has five big-name movies to launch before the arrival of Avengers 4 (see: Thor: Ragnarok, Black Panther, Infinity War, Ant-Man and the Wasp and Captain Marvel), we don’t expect to find out anything else about their plans for Iron Man for a while. As always, though, be sure to watch this space for more.