Robert Downey Jr. Wants Mel Gibson for Iron Man 4?

By Reggie's Take on October 5, 2014

If Marvel and Disney ever wish to see Robert Downey Jr. return to do a fourth Iron Man movie, they may have to hire a director they probably never envisioned at the helm of a superhero movie.

The Iron Man movies are financially the most successful of all the Marvel movies outside of the Avengers movie and Marvel would love nothing more then to get Mr. Downey back as “Tony” for a fourth installment in the Iron Man franchise.

Mr. Downey has made it no secret that he has no plans on returning for Iron Man 4 once his contract for the Avengers 2 and 3 are completed. As recent as the Toronto International Film Festival last month when asked about the possibility he said there are no current plans for Iron Man 4, but in an recent interview with the website Deadline, Mr. Downey may have given Disney and Marvel a hint on how to get him to return.

DEADLINE:
We have written often, suggesting that Mel Gibson be given another chance in Hollywood, after atoning for the regrettable things he said. Awhile back, when studios were reluctant to hire you and there were exorbitant insurance premiums, he put you in a movie, took care of all that and helped you when you needed it. As Hollywood’s best example that not giving up on a talented person can result in redemption, can you make a case for why he should be back directing and starring in movies again?
DOWNEY:
Well, first off, he has changed so much. Nobody should make a case for somebody who just wants forgiveness but hasn’t changed, but he’s a fundamentally different guy. I think it was just the very worst aspects of somebody’s psyche being treated as though they were the blanket statement about a person. But honestly we are talking about a competitive business and it all comes down to this: because he is so gifted as a story teller and a director, I don’t know that he requires some sort of mass forgiveness. He has changed, but at the same time he’s still Mel. He and I are so similar in so many ways. He really, honestly is the first to admit his character defects and also is just a great, great collaborative guy.
DEADLINE:
Marvel badly wants Iron Man 4 and you’ve said you aren’t doing it. How about the idea you’ll do that movie if Mel directs it?
DOWNEY:
Correct.
DEADLINE:
Is that our headline?
DOWNEY:
Why not? That movie would be bananas.

Would Marvel be taking a risk using Mel Gibson as a director? No. All of Mr. Gibson’s antics that landed him on the news never happened while he was working either as an actor or a director and as Mr. Downey told Deadline Mr. Gibson isn’t that same person and deserves a second chance. Lets not forget it was Robert Downey Jr. who was instrumental in getting Shane Black to direct Iron Man 3.

Marvel obviously wants to see a fourth Iron Man movie made and it’s just a matter of time before it happens. The bigger question is will it be Robert Downey Jr. or someone else in the role when the cameras role.

Would Marvel and Disney be willing to hire Mel Gibson to direct an Iron Man 4 movie? Who knows, but if Marvel wants to continue to make Iron Man movies with Robert Downey Jr. their going to have make concessions they may not like.