Earlier this year, there was speculation that Robert Downey Jr. would not be signing a new deal to return as Tony Stark. Seemingly just a negotiating tactic in the end, Downey Jr. did indeed sign on to reprise the role for AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON and THE AVENGERS 3. Just in case Downey Jr. decides against any further Shellhead outings, Mark Wahlberg has already put his name out there to take on the Iron Man role.

Speaking to Yahoo, Wahlberg said, “I would like to take over the IRON MAN franchise from Robert Downey. It’s one of those things were I like playing real people, so I’ve never been asked to play a superhero.”

Also on the topics of superhero roles, the actor then revealed, “Once I was talked about for the Robin role in BATMAN FOREVER – somebody dodged a bullet!”

Mark Mark most definitely splits opinion. This writer’s favourite ever film is BOOGIE NIGHTS, so he always gets a pass in my book. As for whether he would make a good Tony Stark, I’m not so sure.

Either way, this is all pie in the sky for now, and we’ll be getting at least two further Robert Downey Jr. turns as Tony Stark. That said, if Marvel ever do need to recast Tony Stark, they have most definitely given themselves a problem. Having tailored the cinematic character to be so much like Robert Downey Jr., it essentially makes Tony Stark near-impossible for another actor to take on without having to restructure the character and his mannerisms.

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