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It’s learned that Robert Downey Jr. has joined the cast of Captain America 3, reprising as Tony Stark and Iron Man.
It’s also reported that Marvel Studios is adapting the 2006 Mark Millar “Civil War” Marvel Comics event.
Variety states that Robert Downey Jr. is in final negotiations to be featured in Captain America 3, which is slated to begin production this Spring for a May 6, 2016 release starring Chris Evans.
It’s said the plot for Captain America 3 will pit Tony Stark/Iron Man against Captain America Steve Rogers as they feud over the Superhero Registration Act, which forces anyone with superhuman abilities to register their identities with the U.S. government, and also agree to act as a police force for the authorities.
In the comics, Captain America was anti-registration, with Iron Man pro-registration.
It’s stated that due to the moral dillema of registering vs. not registering, Downey’s Tony Stark will be looked at as a villain of sorts in Captain America 3, which could play out in The Avengers 4 as well.
Robert Downey Jr.
Robert Downey Jr. has been teasing more from Iron Man, but not Iron Man 4. The report states that Marvel initially wanted Tony Stark for a smaller role in Captain America 3, but Robert Downey Jr. wanted Stark/Iron Man to have more of a substantial role (which actually fits with the comic book storyline). Obviously, more time for RDJ means better pay for the actor, which is said to have angered billionaire Marvel CEO Ike Perlmutter, who is also rumored to be at odds with Fox Studios over the film rights to the X-Men and Fantastic Four properties, with Perlmutter reportedly ending the use of the characters in the Marvel Comics.
Reportedly, Marvel Studios president and producer Kevin Feige was the one who saved the deal from going sour, as Feige envisioned keeping the characters around for the long haul. It seems as RDJ is so close to signing that Feige convinced Perlmutter not to order the screenwriters to write Robert Downey Jr. out of the script, which is what Perlmutter originally intended.
The report states the Civil War storyline will be used as way to drive the plots of sequels and new franchises for the Marvel Studios movies for the next seven years, which is why Feige wants Robert Downey Jr. involved.
The fallout from Civil War storyline and Tony Stark’s actions is said to be a factor leading into The Avengers 4 and beyond, with mention of assembling new characters like Ant-Man and Doctor Strange in their own movies.
Robert Downey Jr.’s deal for Captain America 3 is stated to include a hefty $40 million payout plus bonuses if the film out performs Captain America 2, which netted $714 million for Marvel.
It’s worth noting that recently Warner Bros. backed their Batman Vs. Superman movie away from Captain America 3, and now with Robert Downey Jr. seemingly just about signed, we know why.
The news also follows Marvel Comics announcing a new comics event for Civil War next Summer.