'Iron Man 4' rumors roundup: Colin Farrell might replace Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark

(PHOTO: Marvel Official Website)Movie poster of Iron Man 3 released in 2013.

Marvel fans will have to brace themselves of the possibility that Robert Downey Jr. will not be back as Tony Stark in Iron Man 4, and could be replaced by Colin Farrell.

The rumors coincide with buzzes that Downey's character was killed off in Avengers 2 entitled Age of Ultron.

In June, the actor posted in his Facebook account that he is "unemployed for two days" and was done filming for Avengers 2, while director Joss Whedon has just confirmed that they are halfway through completion.

This has fanned the flames of speculations of Downey-less Iron Man 4.

In his interview with Entertainment Weekly last year, Marvel Studios President Kevin Fiege confirmed that Iron Man series lives on.

"I believe there will be a fourth Iron Man film and a fifth and a sixth and a 10th and a 20th," the producer said. "I see no reason why Tony Stark can't be as evergreen as James Bond. Or Batman for that matter. Or Spider-Man. I think Iron Man is a character just like that."

If reports are to be believed, Farrell has some enormous shoes to fill, as Tony Stark has been highly associated with Robert Downey Jr.

In fact, the Iron Man franchise has made the charismatic actor the top earning Hollywood celebrity for two years in a row.

Forbes noted that Downey earned $75 million between June 2013 and June 2014.

Marvel flicks starring Downey have amassed over $4 billion in worldwide box office, making it ultra difficult for the comics titan to produce Iron Man and Avengers movie without the primed actor.

Iron Man 4 rumors surfaced following recent revamps in the Marvel comics for Thor and Captain America, where the former turns into female and Steve Rogers is now black.

Furthermore, the upcoming Marvel comics will feature a "Superior Iron Man" unleashing its inner darkness.

Avengers: Age of Ultron is set to hit theaters on May 1, 2015.

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