When Marvel announced their massive Phase Three lineup back in October, the studio revealed nine movies that will conclude with the release of Avengers: Infinity War Part 2 in May 2019. The studio hasn't announced any plans beyond that, but a new rumor from Master Herald claims that the studio is developing Iron Man 4 for a 2019 release, which will not star Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark. Instead, the sequel will reportedly star the as-of-now 13-year-old Ty Simpkins, who portrayed the precocious youngster Harley Keener in Iron Man 3. He will be between 17 and 18 when the movie goes into production. Naturally, this news hasn't been confirmed by Marvel or Disney at this time.
Back in October, Robert Downey Jr. confirmed that Iron Man 4 is actually happening, but he revealed just a few days later that Marvel does not have any plans for the sequel. The actor also teased in October that he wants Mel Gibson to direct Iron Man 4, but it isn't known if negotiations actually took place between Mel Gibson and Marvel. Robert Downey Jr.'s original contract with Marvel ended with Iron Man 3, but the actor signed a new deal with Marvel in June 2013 that brought him back for Avengers: Age of Ultron, Avengers: Infinity War Part 1 and Avengers: Infinity War Part 2. He is also reprising his role as Tony Stark in Captain America: Civil War, which kicks off Phase Three next year.
Ty Simpkins will next be seen in this summer's Jurassic World, and his other big screen credits include Insidious, Insidious Chapter 2, Revolutionary Road and The Next Three Days. Even though the actor will turn 18 in the year 2019, will he still be too young to play Iron Man? We'll be sure to keep you posted as soon as more details surface.