Also, if new actors were gradually introduced with the established ones over time it could actually serve to create a smoother transition. Hell, its comic book characters--it would be like introducing new artists or new writing teams into ongoing series.
Did you? The article's title is misleading. Plenty of movies get put in development and are never released. There is no release date and no actual announcement from Marvel, just a vague comment from an actor who admits he may or may not be staring in it. It's a maybe at best.
Robert Downey Jr. Now Says There are No Plans for Iron Man 4 There there you go. So much for "confirming" an IM4. RDJ was just doing his best Tony Stark impression, and some fans fell for it.
Well.. there are hundreds of millions of dollars at stake and at this level all gloves are off. If Marvel/Disney could they'd sue for the rights back on the grounds that they came up with the characters and they've had the rights long enough and are producing crap FF movies anyway *cue child stomping his feet in anger* We might feel different as fans and customers but for Marvel/Disney it is a hardcore business and they have a gold mine with the Marvel cinematic universe.. one of the few franchises left that constantly produces one commercial hit after the other and which they can potentially ride until movies themselves go out of style (the only other franchise even getting close in success and longevity is James Bond and that was only "saved" by the new Craig Bonds). Basically anyone at Marvel/Disney who wears a suit to work is only concerned about the bottom line, the creators/writers/graphic artists might lean towards the feeling of the fans but the fans don't sign their paychecks so there's nothing they could do. So Marvel will play hardball with Fox until they have gotten back all the rights they have. Now wait until Marvel/Disney decide they want the X-Men/Mutants rights back.. that will be a war!
I think it's likely after Ellen Marvel/Disney contacted RDJ and were like, "Dude! The hell?! Keep this on down-low, okay?! We're still figuring things out and are trying to build suspense and stuff here, man!" So RDJ has to play some quick CYA. I find it odd he'd so easily say, "Yes, it's happening," on Ellen and then hours later recant. There must be a lot going on in the background and not everything is set-in-stone yet enough to make things a sure-bet for RDJ to go off saying something is happening.
I think you are probably pretty close to what actually happened here. RDJ is probably in negotiations and jumped the gun on this. The studio has probably said they are making the movie with or without him, etc in an attempt to cut his asking price a little.
Today Good Morning America had Downey and teased their segment by saying he would talk about Iron Man 4. He didn't.
Yeah, I'm he probably wasn't really supposed to say something yet. They probably just aren't entirely sure what exactly what will or won't happen yet.