robert downey jr

Those who tuned into the newest episode of Marvel's 'Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.' tonight were rewarded with a little treat: brand new footage from 'Avengers: Age of Ultron' to go with that pretty sweet trailer that dropped just last week.

Seems like the internet just couldn't wait for that 'Avengers: Age of Ultron' trailer to premiere. Just last night, Marvel announced that the trailer would debut following next week's new episode of 'Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.,' and tonight a pirated version found its way online. Marvel reacted quickly by posting the real deal and revealing a new teaser poster.

Robert Downey, Jr. reportedly made over $50 million for the first 'Avengers' movie, so if he wanted a giant "A" in his office (like the one seen on the side of Stark Tower at the end of the film) to celebrate the massive success of the film, he could've very easily just had a replica made. But, he didn't want a replica, he wanted a real thing. Or, at least that's what he joked to Marvel. So, imagine his surprise when he showed up at home and there waiting for him was the 30-foot tall "A".

Well that certainly escalated quickly: over the last couple of weeks Robert Downey Jr. has played rather coy about what's next for Tony Stark and Iron Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but now it looks like we know the answer, as he's just been recruited for 'Captain America 3,' in a storyline that's said to bring Marvel's Civil War arc to the big screen -- which is a rather huge development.

There's been a lot of 'Iron Man 4' talk over the past few days as Robert Downey, Jr. continues his whirlwind promotional tour for 'The Judge' across a multitude of talk shows. He's confirmed it, issued demands, backpedaled, confirmed it again and now, via an appearance on David Letterman last night, he clarified all the recent rumors and (we think?) issued the definitive word on 'Iron Man 4' and his future at Marvel.

First, the good news: Robert Downey, Jr. has agreed to star in 'Iron Man 4' for Marvel! Considering everything he has been saying over the past year or so - essentially that he can't imagine an 'Iron Man 4' ever happening - that's a major step in the right direction and a huge win for Marvel Studios. But...Downey's agreement has come with one rather large condition. That his old friend, and current member of the Hollywood blacklist, Mel Gibson be allowed to direct.

As the unofficial mascot of the Marvel cinematic universe (he's pretty much Mickey Mouse to this corner of the Disney empire), Downey Jr.'s words and opinions feel like they carry a lot of weight. So when he chimes in with a comment that's essentially "Yeah, there really should be a female-led superhero movie, huh?", we can't help but feel slightly vindicated for wondering where the heck a 'Black Widow' or even a 'Captain Marvel' movie is.

Marvel Studios and the character of Tony Stark/Iron Man transformed Robert Downey Jr. from a has-been into one of the biggest movie stars on the planet, so it's not surprising that he'll sing their praises outside the context of the movies he stars in. However, he recently took it a big step further, declaring 'Guardians of the Galaxy' to be the best Marvel movie yet. Yep, even the ones that he's not in.

The apple doesn't fall far from the tree, a chip off the old block, like father like son...all phrases you can use when talking about Robert Downey Jr's son Indio, who was arrested Sunday (June 30th, 2014) on drug possession charges.

We've grown used to seeing Robert Downey Jr. in the Iron Man suit over the past couple years, and it's been a while since he's done any serious dramatic acting, so can the once and future Tony Stark win an Oscar? Perhaps he'll finally get the golden statue for 'The Judge,' as it seems he's chasing one going by the film's first trailer.

Robert Downey Jr. may be relatively new to Twitter, but he's taken to it like a duck to water as he's made fans happy by tweeting a photo from the set of 'The Avengers 2.' Downey has a penchant for charming self promotion that would put even Tony Stark to shame.

Playing a superhero has been a very good thing for Robert Downey Jr.  He's now the highest paid actor in Hollywood, according to Forbes.