It only seems fitting that we at least get one Iron Man film per Marvel phase, considering the character was the one who helped launched the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He had two solo films in Phase One, and one in Phase Two. He will also have starring roles in Avengers: Age of Ultron and Avengers 3, but there is currently no plans for an Iron Man 4 film, and it looks like there won’t be one anytime soon.

The film franchise is one of the highest grossing franchises in Marvel Studios’ lineup, and Iron Man 4 was probably Marvel’s backup plan should Guardians of the Galaxy have tanked at the box office. Luckily that did not happen, but that still doesn’t mean the studio shouldn’t consider Iron Man 4. But looking at the studios’ success outside the Iron Man franchise, they might not need to look to Downey Jr. to reprise his titular role for a solo film. Hit the jump to see what the actor had to say about the future.

Here’s what Downey Jr. told Variety:

Doesn’t get any more straight forward than that.

Not sure if there is anything else left to say about Stark. The Demon In The Bottle Story doesn’t exactly fit into Disney’s family friendly storytelling, so that story is out the window. Doomquest is also out the window since Dr. Doom belongs to Fox. But because there are no MAJOR storylines left doesn’t mean there shouldn’t be an Iron Man 4, but Downey pretty much confirms that there won’t be one unless he is starring in it, and that means we won’t get one until after Avengers 3 when most of the cast’s contracts expire.

[Source: Variety]