Robert Downey Jr. is reportedly in the final stages of negotiations to don the Iron Man suit for the 3rd Captain America movie. This means big news moving forward for the franchise as it will have the two Avenger allies pitted against each other in a storyline based on events in the comic books from 2007, entitled Civil War.
Fresh from signing on for Avengers: Age of Ultron, Downey will be co-starring with Chris Evans as Steve Rogers, aka Captain America, in the 3rd installment of the patriotic hero's film series.
The Civil War story arc is reportedly going to be rebooted beginning in 2015, which will have a significant impact on the entire comic book as well as film franchise.
Downey's Tony Stark will become a villain of sorts when he supports a Superhero Registration Act that will require all those with super human abilities to identify themselves to the U.S. Government and be recruited into a police force.
Rogers does not support the registration and goes on the run from authorities and Stark. The feud could very well even carry on to a possible fourth Avengers film.
According to Philly.com, Downey's appearance in Captain America 3 was almost axed completely when he reportedly wanted a bigger role (and payout) than the script originally called for. Marvel executive chief Ike Perlmutter was rumored to have not been pleased with the star's demands and had Iron Man written out of the film entirely, perhaps with Bruce Banner (The Hulk), taking on the antagonist, pro-registration act role.
However, Marvel and CAA, who represents Downey, continued negotiations, which seem to be reaching the home stretch.
Downey had previously been quoted as saying that there are currently no plans for a fourth Iron Man film, it seems clear that he is not ready to put away his suit just yet.
"Downey also has been wanting to play a larger role in future films as a way to remain creatively involved and close to his fanbase that would undoubtedly come out to see his non-Marvel movies," wrote Marc Graser of Philly.com
Although Evans has become a big star in how own right, as proven with the success of Captain America 2: Winter Soldier under his belt, the appearance of Downey as Iron Man and as a co-star in the 3rd film could potentially surpass the box office records of any of the previous films and the major plot line could have far-reaching effects into future Marvel films as well.
