Iron Man 4 could be quietly happening, according to Hollywood insider Jeff Sneider. On his Hot Mic podcast, Sneider said he believes Marvel Studios is secretly developing a fourth Iron Man movie, with Robert Downey Jr. returning to star as Tony Stark. Marvel has not announced anything, and Sneider did not say his theory came from inside information, so for now it remains speculation.
What Jeff Sneider Said About Iron Man 4
Sneider, known for his reporting on The InSneider and his scoops on Marvel and DC projects, said he thinks a new Iron Man film is in the works and that Downey will be back in the suit. He also floated a possible director: Dan Trachtenberg, the filmmaker behind Prey and Predator: Badlands. Separate reports from My Cosmic Circus claim Marvel is in talks with Trachtenberg to write and direct a mystery solo film, which has fuelled even more speculation.
There is a neat connection there too. Iron Man 3 was directed by Shane Black, who later made The Predator, so Sneider’s suggestion would hand Tony Stark to another director from the Predator franchise.
Robert Downey Jr. Is Already Back at Marvel
Downey said goodbye to Tony Stark in Avengers: Endgame in 2019, when the character sacrificed himself to defeat Thanos. But he is not done with Marvel. In 2024, the studio revealed that he would return as the villain Victor von Doom in Avengers: Doomsday, directed by the Russo brothers and due in theaters on December 18, 2026, ahead of Avengers: Secret Wars in 2027.
That return has made fans wonder whether Tony Stark could also appear again, especially with the multiverse making it easier than ever to bring back characters. A fourth Iron Man film would be the first since Iron Man 3 in 2013.
Could Iron Man 4 Really Happen?
For now, Iron Man 4 is just a theory from a well-connected insider. Bringing back Tony Stark could undercut the emotional ending of Endgame, but it could also be one of the biggest moments in Marvel history. Until Marvel says something official, fans will have to wait and see whether Downey really suits up again.
Learn more about Avengers: Doomsday on Wikipedia.
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