robert downey jr.

No bubble can last forever — it must eventually pop, as is the nature of bubbles. Marvel has built a vast media empire on the strength of such stars as Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, and Chris Hemsworth, but no actor would be content with playing and re-playing the same role forever. All good (and obscenely lucrative) things must come to an end, and Evans has begun the long and painful process of consciously uncoupling from Captain America’s star-spangled shield and cowl. But a new quote from the actor suggests that he may not be the first big name to make a departure from the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Near the end of every year, Forbes releases their rankings of the top actors in Hollywood based on their box-office value and earnings (along with a list of the most overpaid actors, which is always interesting). This year, Scarlett Johansson tops the list of the highest-grossing actors in Hollywood, followed closely by Marvel co-stars Chris Evans and Robert Downey Jr., who tied for second place. What makes Johansson’s ranking even more notable, however, is her earnings — while RDJr. placed ninth on this year’s list of the highest-paid actors with $33 million, Johansson ranked third on the actress list with $25 million.

We’ve known for some time that True Detective Season 3 had largely taken a backseat to creator Nic Pizzolatto’s next HBO project, though few, if any details had emerged on that front. Now, it seems Pizzolatto’s propensity for bringing A-list stars to TV hasn’t cooled one bit, as Robert Downey Jr. may lead a new TV project, and one based on past Perry Mason plans at that.

Robert Downey Jr. recently surprised fans when he revealed that Sherlock Holmes 3 is not only still on, but it could very well begin filming this fall. And now the franchise’s producer has chimed in, reiterating Downey Jr.’s optimism about potentially heading into production this year, while also revealing that it might not be the last sequel in the series.

Last week, Robert Downey Jr. revealed that Sherlock Holmes 3 will begin filming this year, with Guy Ritchie returning to direct the long-developing sequel. Lo and behold today’s update that a new screenwriter has been tapped to rewrite the script — because when Robert Downey Jr. says something is happening, he enters into a binding verbal contract with the universe and essentially wills his thoughts into existence.

He’d already majorly hinted that it would happen on Jimmy Kimmel Live, but now Sony’s official Twitter account says it’s confirmed: Robert Downey Jr. will appear in the upcoming Spider-Man reboot from Sony, Spider-Man: Homecoming.

With Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans promising a big surprise on Jimmy Kimmel Live, we knew it had to be something special — that something is the first trailer for Captain America: Civil War. Not a teaser, but an actual, full trailer, dramatically highlighting the growing divide between Steve Rogers and Tony Stark, which will divide the Avengers and pit them against one another in what could be Marvel's most epic film yet.

Avengers: Age of Ultron has already begun screening for critics and it has been receiving very positive responses, which is definitely not doing anything to deter our personal hype from reaching unfair and dangerous levels. Thankfully, Marvel has thrown the rest of us a bone with this new clip from the film, which features enough of that typical Joss Whedon wit and enough big action to satiate us for, oh, another day or so.

If The Avengers feel like one big, slightly dysfunctional family, it's because they are. And that applies to off-screen as well as on. Playing off that chemistry, the cast of Avengers: Age of Ultron — Robert Downey, Jr., Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo and Jeremy Renner — appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live last night and played a rousing game of Family Feud.

Oh sure, humor wise, he's dryer than a desert river bed. Beneath his overly wry exterior, beats the deeply scared, golden heart of one who's been through the depths of hell and has come back better for it. This is Tony Stark, doing good.