Jon Favreau helped to launch the Marvel Cinematic Universe as the director of 2008's "Iron Man" and its 2010 sequel. Although he's remained involved as an executive producer of the "Avengers" franchise, it's been six years since he stepped behind the camera for Marvel Studios.
However, he now hints that could change, under the right circumstances.
While talking with IGN about his Disney blockbuster "The Jungle Book," Favreau conceded he felt as if he'd left his mark at Marvel. Yet he wouldn't exactly rule out a return -- and as more than Happy Hogan.
Asked what could bring him back, he replied, "A great story." However, he conceded much has changed since those first "Iron Man" films.
"It's 10 years later, and now I'm more of an elder statesman," he said. "But we talk a lot about how I could be involved there, and I exist both in front of and behind the camera in the Marvel Universe, which puts me in a unique position which I enjoy. We're always trying to figure out if there's a way for me to contribute beyond just being an executive producer there.
"I wouldn't be surprised if something pops up soon," he continued, "but there's no one property that we're identifying that I'd want to helm up and shoulder. Because now that the universe has gotten so big over there, I don't know that I understand how it all fits together anymore. I was there in the early days when the universe was very small. Now the universe is very big there and they seem to have it well in hand."
In the meantime, Favreau still has his hands full promoting "The Jungle Book," while looking ahead to its sequel.