Fans of Marvel's genius-billionaire-playboy-philanthropist Tony Stark have been receiving a multitude of conflicting rumors regarding a possible Iron Man 4.

While Robert Downey Jr. has signed a contract with Marvel Studios to play the superhero for The Avengers 2 and The Avengers 3, he is not yet signed on for another stand-alone Iron Man film.

Gwyneth Paltrow plays Pepper Potts in the franchise and, following the releases of Iron Man 3, claimed she wouldn't mind doing a spinoff featuring Pepper Pots' armor clad alias Rescue.

However, Paltrow also said she didn't think Iron Man 4 was in the cards, at least not one featuring the Paltrow/Downey duo.

"I don't think there's going to be [an Iron Man 4]," Paltrow previously told GeekNation. "I think we're done with Iron Man."

However, the actress also claimed she would do any film that intrests her.

"Anything that's really good that speaks to me I'll do," Paltrow told omg! in April. "It could be Iron Man 4."

Even if Paltow and Downey don't return to the screen together, there is always the chance that Marvel Studios could recast the role of Iron Man.

"I believe there will be a fourth Iron Man film and a fifth and a sixth and a 10th and a 20th," said Marvel Studio's president Kevin Feige, according to Entertainment Weekly. "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."

While Downey may be the face of the current franchise it appears Marvel is not concerned with moving on without him. If they did, an Iron Man 4 probably wouldn't materialize until after The Avengers 3.

Tags: Iron Man 4