WTF: Does Robert Downey Jr. Want Mel Gibson In ‘Avengers: Age Of Ultron?’
In the past twenty years,Robert Downey Jr.andMel Gibsonhave all but switched places. Back then Gibson was one of the biggest stars in the world and Downey Jr. was known for being a partying troublemaker. Fast forward to now, and thanks to Marvel, Downey is one of the biggest box office stars on the planet while Gibson is persona non grata thanks to his anti-Semitic rants and other bouts of anger. The two actors both know the highs and lows of fame, and it seems the currently popular one is hoping to help a brother out.
Radar Onlineis reporting Downey wants to share his superhero success with his friend and is pushing for Gibson, as well asJodie Foster, to appear in the upcomingAvengers: Age of UltronorAvengers 3.Radar Onlinereports the following quotes from an unnamed source:
However, the source then says the efforts might be a long shot:
Marvel is run by one of the richest and most prominent Israeli businessmen in Hollywood, and you can be sure even if Robert got down on his knees and begged, there’s no place for Mel in the Marvel films.
It’s unclear which of Marvel’s executives that last statement refers to. In another era it might have been Avi Arad, who founded Marvel Studios, but Arad is no longer in a controlling position at Marvel. There’s also Isaac Perlmutter, the current and more reclusive CEO of Marvel.
Another interesting sliver from this source’s quote is, in addition to the second and thirdAvengersmovies, Downey Jr.’s current Marvel deal also allows him to “consult on future parts of theIron Manfranchise.” We hadn’t heard anything about anIron Man 4yet, though we all know it’s coming eventually.
Anyway, lots of wrinkles here, none of which are confirmable. I guess I can imagine Gibson in a smaller role, ala Robert Redford inCaptain America: The Winter Soldier, but until Gibson has a public mea culpa, I doubt the Disney-owned company would touch him. Foster on the other hand simply doesn’t seem like a problem. I think, if Jodie Foster wanted a role, she wouldn’t have a problem getting it. It simply seems like she’s just dialed back in recent years.
What we do know is Downey Jr. has Marvel wrapped around his finger and if this is something he actually wants, he’s had no problem using leverage in the past. Whether or not this is an actual request, and what that leverage is since signing a new deal, are the bigger questions.
What are your thoughts on this rumor?
