"Iron Man 4" is happening, according to Robert Downey Jr., who spilled the beans to Ellen DeGeneres on her show Tuesday.
Downey was on the talk show to chat up his new movie, "The Judge," which opens this week, when DeGeneres pulled a fast one and asked him point blank if the "Iron Man" franchise would continue.
Downey spouted some words about Marvel's plans and didn't get to the point until DeGeneres interrupted. "So yes?" she asked.
"OK, yes," Downey replied.
If he's telling the truth, the film will be No. 4 in the franchise that stars Downey as Iron Man. While one could assume he would appear in "Iron Man 4," he didn't actually say so.
Marvel isn’t expected to make an official announcement about a fourth "Iron Man" movie until after it releases "Avengers: Age of Ultron" next year.
Earlier this month, Downey made headlines when he told a reporter he would star in a fourth "Iron Man" movie only if Mel Gibson would direct it.
Several days later, however, Downey distanced himself from the interview and dismissed the idea of Gibson directing "Iron Man 4" as just an offhand comment to a friend who happened to be a journalist.
Downey did clarify during a Reddit question-and-answer session, however, that he was open to future projects with Gibson.
Downey's first "Iron Man" film came out in 2008 and made $585 million. He has also appeared in "The Avengers" in 2012. "Avengers: Age of Ultron" is set for release in May 2015, and a third "Avengers" film still in the works.