Robert Downey Jr. says newly-minted Oscar status won't prevent him from returning to Marvel Cinematic Universe if called upon

  • Academy Award-winning actor, 59, spoke on potential return to film franchise 
  • He'd 'happily' re-enter based on his confidence in Marvel exec Kevin Feige 
  • Downey won his first-ever Academy Award last month for Oppenheimer 

By Adam S. Levy For Dailymail.com

Published: | Updated:

Robert Downey Jr. might have an Oscar, but he's not getting rid of his Iron Man suit just yet.

The Oscar-winning actor, 59, who has played the role of Iron Man/Tony Stark in multiple films since 2008's Iron Man, told Esquire Monday he would not pass on an opportunity to return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

The A-list actor said he would 'happily' re-enter the MCU based on his confidence in Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige.

'It’s too integral a part of my DNA,' Downey said. 'That role chose me. And look, I always say, "Never, ever bet against Kevin Feige." It is a losing bet. He’s the house. He will always win.'

Downey, who won his first-ever Academy Award last month for playing Lewis Strauss in the summer blockbuster Oppenheimer, was last seen in the Iron Man role in the 2019 motion picture Avengers: Endgame.

Robert Downey Jr., 59, told Esquire Monday he would not pass on an opportunity to return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Pictured at last month's Academy Awards, where he took home the honors for Best Supporting Actor for his work in Oppenheimer

Robert Downey Jr., 59, told Esquire Monday he would not pass on an opportunity to return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Pictured at last month's Academy Awards, where he took home the honors for Best Supporting Actor for his work in Oppenheimer 

The Oscar-winning actor has played the role of Iron Man/Tony Stark in multiple films since 2008's Iron Man

The Oscar-winning actor has played the role of Iron Man/Tony Stark in multiple films since 2008's Iron Man 

While Iron Man met his end in that film, Variety reported that the storyline 'has never stopped rumors from circulating that Marvel is trying to bring Downey back into the fold' in the wake of unsatisfactory returns on 2023 releases including The Marvels and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.

Feige, speaking last December with Vanity Fair, said that the studio had no plans to alter what it considered to be an essential cinematic moment after the fact.

'We are going to keep that moment and not touch that moment again,' Feige said. 'We all worked very hard for many years to get to that, and we would never want to magically undo it in any way.'

Downey, appearing on Rob Lowe's Literally! podcast earlier this year, was asked about any possible projects with the studio and said, 'Not just yet.'

The feature piece with Esquire also included sentiments from Gwyneth Paltrow, 51, who has played the role of Pepper Potts in the MCU opposite Downey in multiple films.

Paltrow spoke about the creative process working with Downey on Iron Man, as the publication reported that the actress at one point ceased studying her script, knowing changes would be in the offing between Downey and filmmaker Jon Favreau.

'There would be this process of Jon Favreau and Robert and I going into Jon's trailer in the morning and Robert being like, "I'm not f***ing saying these lines" and throwing them out,' Paltrow told the outlet. 'And then live improv-ing either in the trailer or on the set.

'I think in order for something to feel alive for Robert, it has to feel fresh, and he makes it fresh by making it feel like it was just invented.'

The venerated actor was pictured backstage at the Oscars in LA in March holding his statuette

The venerated actor was pictured backstage at the Oscars in LA in March holding his statuette 

Downey, who win his first-ever Academy Award last month for playing Lewis Strauss in the summer blockbuster Oppenheimer, was last seen in the Iron Man role in the 2019 motion picture Avengers: Endgame

Downey, who win his first-ever Academy Award last month for playing Lewis Strauss in the summer blockbuster Oppenheimer, was last seen in the Iron Man role in the 2019 motion picture Avengers: Endgame 

(L-R) Louis D'Esposito, Jon Favreau, Downey Jr., and Kevin Feige were pictured last year in Hollywood. Downey said he would 'happily' re-enter the MCU based on his confidence in Feige. Pictured last year in Hollywood, California

(L-R) Louis D'Esposito, Jon Favreau, Downey Jr., and Kevin Feige were pictured last year in Hollywood. Downey said he would 'happily' re-enter the MCU based on his confidence in Feige. Pictured last year in Hollywood, California 

Downey in the interview also addressed the minor controversy generated by the show's host Jimmy Kimmel, who alluded to the actor's past battles with addiction in his monologue

Downey in the interview also addressed the minor controversy generated by the show's host Jimmy Kimmel, who alluded to the actor's past battles with addiction in his monologue

Downey made clear he took no offense to the late night host's remarks, and continues to hold him in high regard

Downey made clear he took no offense to the late night host's remarks, and continues to hold him in high regard

Paltrow added that 'so many of those famous lines were written 10 minutes before we said them.'

Downey in the interview also addressed the minor controversy generated by the show's host Jimmy Kimmel, who alluded to the actor's past battles with addiction in his monologue.

Kimmel said: 'This is the highest point of Robert Downey Jr.'s long and illustrious career. Well, one of the highest points.'

Downey made clear he took no offense to the late night host's remarks, and continues to hold him in high regard.

'I don't care,' Downey said. 'I love Jimmy Kimmel. I think he's a national treasure.'

OppenheimerRobert Downey Jr