Oscar-nominee Robert Downey Jr. knows exactly when he wants to hang up his Iron Man suit and retire from the Marvel Cinematic Universe: "Before it's embarrassing."
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Speaking in an interview with News.com.au ahead of his appearance in Spider-Man: Homecoming, Downey Jr. reflected on his nine appearances in the MCU, shedding some light on his view of leaving the Marvel Comics big-screen universe. While he indicated he enjoys playing Iron Man/Tony Stark, the 52-year-old actor did admit there is a limit to the amount of times he can play the eccentric billionaire.
“Everyone says to me it’s like a glove that fits so well. I have to start over every time but I am starting over with a pretty solid base. I just never want to blow it for the last six or seven [movies] I have done by dropping the ball because I decided to go do it one more time. I just want to hang up my jersey before it’s embarrassing.”
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Downey Jr. also revealed why he keeps coming back to Marvel's cinematic outings, even though he's sure the next film can't top the last:
“It’s this cyclical thing I could have said when the first Avengers came out: ‘It’s never going to get any better than that. Everybody stop’. But to me it’s always about people and opportunities, like the (Avengers directors Anthony and Joe) Russos, who I adore.”
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Arriving in theaters July 7, director Jon Watts’ Spider-Man: Homecoming stars Tom Holland as Spider-Man and Michael Keaton as Vulture, in addition to Zendaya, Donald Glover, Jacob Batalon, Laura Harrier, Tony Revolori, Tyne Daly, Bokeem Woodbine, Marisa Tomei and Robert Downey Jr. Tickets are on sale now.