Robert Downey Jr. Set to Join Captain America 3 – Working Title: Civil War


In the wake of Marvel releasing an intriguing photo of a Civil War comic reboot for 2015, Variety reports that Captain America 3 will be based off the popular comic book event series. Seeing as how Marvel seems to be pushing its comic series to help sell their movies (or more realistically, vice versa), it comes as no surprise that these news items landed on the very same day. To top the cake, Robert Downey Jr. is said to be in final talks towards signing a deal to feature prominently in the film. If you haven’t been spoiled enough thus far, go right on ahead and keep reading.

For the uninitiated, Civil War was a company-wide Marvel event in 2006 that pit its heroes against each other, as they took opposing sides on the Superhero Registration Act – an act that required all superheroes to publicly unmask their identities. The two major butting heads just so happened to be Tony Stark (pro) and Steve Rogers (anti).

More on the topic, Variety had this to say:

Originally, Marvel wanted to hire Downey for a small role, which would have required just three weeks of work. But Downey wanted Stark to have a more substantial role in the film’s plot, which would give him more screen time and naturally a bigger payday. This angered Marvel Entertainment chief Ike Perlmutter, who ordered the screenwriters to write Iron Man out of the script entirely, according to sources with knowledge of the situation.

Even though the deal appeared dead, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige and Downey’s reps at CAA continued talks in hopes of working out their issues. Feige was bent on executing his grand vision for extending the life of the Marvel characters over many years.

The executive needed his boss to see the big picture, considering the introduction of the Civil War story is seen as a way to drive the plots of sequels and new franchises for the next seven years, given the dramatic possibilities it offers for future films. The fallout from the government and Stark’s actions would factor into a new “Avengers 4″ film and beyond that will assemble new characters being introduced like Ant-Man and Doctor Strange, among others, in their own movies.

RDJ is set to make $40M off the film, not including backend participation, and if the film makes more than The Winter Soldier he’ll get another chest full of gold.

Badass Digest claim that the working titles for Cap 3 are Civil War and Fallen Son – if you know what happens at the close of Civil War, the latter working title might make a little more sense to you.

More than that, Marvel is looking at Cap 3 as Avengers 2.5. It’s going to be another ensemble picture, and it could feature Cap’s new team from the end of Age of Ultron. Last I heard (and they haven’t shot this scene yet, so it could change) that team is Falcon, War Machine, Quicksilver, Scarlet Witch and Black Widow, as well as probably The Vision (although I have been told Black Widow will not be much of a presence in Cap 3). And once again the events of a Captain America movie will reshape the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Remember when I told you Cap wouldn’t be in Avengers 3? This is why. At the end of Cap 3 the Marvel Cinematic Universe will be in a tough, dark place, with the heroes scattered and defeated. That will continue through Avengers 3, and it will leave the world open to the threat of Thanos in either Avengers 4 or the big universe-wide team-up movie, whichever comes first.

How closely will Captain America 3 tie in with Avengers 3? I’ve been told that the Russo Brothers are in talks to direct Avengers 3 and possibly 4. Sources tell me that they’re the favorites of Marvel right now and that they are the guys Kevin Feige want to pick up the mantle from Joss Whedon.

So what does this all mean? Well, a big cheesy smile on my face. This is the kind of movie news I’ve been waiting to hear since SDCC. Many will remember that Captain America 3 and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice were originally set to be released on the same day, May 6, 2016. It’s possible that WB execs heard about the possibility of RDJ joining in on the fun in Cap 3, which in turn necessitated their retreat from that game of chicken. Smart move. Also, well played Marvel. What are your thoughts? Let me hear ’em!

17 thoughts on “Robert Downey Jr. Set to Join Captain America 3 – Working Title: Civil War

  1. Civil War would be so much better if Marvel had access to Spider-Man. Peter Parker/Spider-Man was a key chess piece in how he changed sides during the original Civil War comic series. Also, they haven’t exactly created a lot of Marvel characters yet to have this story play out quite the same way with lots of heroes on either side.

    But… all that said… I think it is a great idea for a movie… and agree it has strong potential to springboard other stories after that.

    I just wish they would quit trying to drive Downey away from the franchise. They got him for a relative song originally… he helped them make a great movie… and he wants a piece of it but he is a proven commodity. They build a strong story and he will bring it to the character and the fans will buy in droves.

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  2. Awesome. This is awesome news. the possibilities here are almost endless and leave Marvel open to making exciting and original super Hero films for a decade. what Marvel has done here is beyond my widest imagination. As a guy who grew up reading and loving comic books since the mid-seventies, this is like dying and going to comic book heaven. Outstanding is all I can say about Marvel Studios, Kevin Feige, and the MCU.

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  3. Civil War always felt too messy to adapt into a film, but I’m sure they can make this work. Although…my heart is not ready to lose Steve…cause that’s bound to happen, isn’t it?

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  4. A Civil War movie will be legendary. Also, to wrap it up like it does in the comics, given that one of the titles is Fallen Son? That’ll be interesting, especially with Thanos inbound soon after. Marvel’s putting DC to shame on breathtakingly dramatic levels with how they’re handling their movies.

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    1. Seriously. It would be extremely legendary. I was telling someone just the other day that I bet the third Avengers film would be about Civil War. For sure didn’t think it was gonna be for Cap 3.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I was actually hoping for Avengers 3 to be World War Hulk. If wishes were horses, though . . . . .

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  5. It’s the end of any significance at all for the printed monthly comics, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing given how they’re currently “written”. But for film fans- beyond awesome. A set of movies and shows that really deliver. It makes the worst ep of SHIELD relevant to the big picture and provides an infinitely deep locker of easter eggs, one-shots, etc. to watch for the span of a human life.

    Best of all for me- this is the final conquering vision of Stan Lee realised- from failed script writer to comicbook guru to would-be multimedia exec taking Marvel to Hollywood- from 1968 to 2014 it has finally all worked out. And he’s lived to see it. Fantastic. 🙂

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    1. The end of any significance? It wasn’t too long ago that Civil War was a monthly comic itself. Also you have Marvel gearing up for a new Secret Wars and new Civil war story arc in their comics. DC is on the verge of another Crisis, and they’re pretty much dominating comic book sales on monthly sales polls. Gotham producers want to include Hush, even the Court of Owls (A very very recent Batman storyline) in their show.
      Brian Michael Bendis’ Powers is being adapted
      Mark Millar’s Starlight is being adapted
      Scott Snyder’s Wytches is getting adapted, after only one issue published.
      I think you’ll find the writing in monthly comics is beyond excellent compared to the 90s, and it’s showing in it’s increased commercial success and the eager film adaptions you herald as their end.

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      1. which is the tail and which is the dog? And storyboards are not the same as comicbooks.

        However, if both comicbooks and movies are powerhouses, no one is losing. 🙂

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