Avengers Infinity War star Robert Downey Jr reveals when he will quit playing Iron Man

Robert Downey Jr, who made his debut as Tony Stark in the Iron Man movie in 2008 and will reprise his role in Avengers: Infinity War, has addressed the big question: How long will we get to see him suit up as Iron Man?

Downey Jr told News Corp Australia Network, "It's this cyclical thing. I could have said when the first Avengers came out: 'It's never going to get any better than that. Everybody stop.' But to me it's always about people and opportunities, like the Russos [Avengers directors Anthony Russo and Joe Russo], who I adore."

The 52-year-old actor revealed that he wants to hang up his superhero suit before its "embarrassing." He said, "Everyone says to me it's like a glove that fits so well. I have to start over every time but I am starting over with a pretty solid base."

"I just never want to blow it for the last six or seven [MCU movies] I have done by dropping the ball because I decided to go do it one more time. I just want to hang up my jersey before it's embarrassing," he added.

Infinity Wars director Joe Russo admitted to Forbes magazine back in 2016 that it was impossible to replace Downey as Iron Man.

He was quoted as saying, "It's almost impossible to replace Robert, he's the biggest movie star in the world. One close up from Robert is worth another actor's entire performance, he's incredibly gifted and insanely talented.

"I think if and when he is done with the character, I think you will find that Iron Man might disappear for a while."

The Sherlock Holmes actor will be seen mentoring Tom's Holland Spidey in Spider-Man: Homecoming, which is set to release on 5 July in the UK and 7 July in the US.

The Iron Man star will be a big part of Spider-Man's first solo film for Marvel, with Peter Parker returning to high school and home life after his adventures with the Avengers in Captain America: Civil War.