Robert Downey Jr. is playing the role of Tony Stark for the eighth time in next weekend’s Spider-Man: Homecoming, and currently looking to break Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine record with a 9th and 10th appearance in the Russo brothers’ two currently-lensing Avengers movies. However, the Iron Man legend is adding fuel to the fire that those next two Avengers outings may be his last as ol’ shellhead by telling Australia’s News.com that he could hang up the suit soon.
“It’s this cyclical thing,” Downey says. “I could have said when the first ‘Avengers’ came out: ‘It’s never going to get any better than that. Everybody stop’. But to me it’s always about people and opportunities, like the Russos, who I adore. Everyone says to me it’s like a glove that fits so well. I have to start over every time but I am starting over with a pretty solid base. I just never want to blow it for the last six or seven [MCU movies] I have done by dropping the ball because I decided to go do it one more time. I just want to hang up my jersey before it’s embarrassing.”
While Marvel Cinematic Universe head honcho Kevin Feige has already confirmed that several prominent characters will perish during their fight against Thanos in the upcoming Avengers flicks, it remains a possibility that Downey’s Tony Stark could still find his way back in somehow. After all, word on the street is that Downey only filmed for three days to complete his part in Homecoming, which was cleverly spread out over the film’s runtime to give Stark more of a presence.
A young Peter Parker / Spider-Man (Tom Holland), who made his sensational debut in Captain America: Civil War, begins to navigate his newfound identity as the web-slinging super hero in Spider-Man: Homecoming. Thrilled by his experience with the Avengers, Peter returns home, where he lives with his Aunt May (Marisa Tomei), under the watchful eye of his new mentor Tony Stark (Robert Downey, Jr.). Peter tries to fall back into his normal daily routine – distracted by thoughts of proving himself to be more than just your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man – but when the Vulture (Michael Keaton) emerges as a new villain, everything that Peter holds most important will be threatened.
Spider-Man: Homecoming also stars Zendaya, Jon Favreau, Donald Glover and Tyne Daly.
Directed by Jon Watts, Spider-Man: Homecoming was written by Jonathan Goldstein & John Francis Daley, Jon Watts & Christopher Ford, and Chris McKenna & Erik Sommers. The film is produced by Kevin Feige and Amy Pascal, and executive produced by Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Patricia Whitcher, Jeremy Latcham, and Stan Lee.
Spider-Man: Homecoming will swing into theaters on July 7. A sequel is already scheduled for July 5, 2019, and Tom Holland recently confirmed a third film is also in the works.
