Robert Downey Jr. will not return for an 'Iron Man 4'

TORONTO, Sept. 8 (UPI) -- Robert Downey Jr. will not return for an Iron Man 4.

The 49-year-old actor has starred as the Marvel superhero in three successful solo films and ensemble movie The Avengers, but told Variety there are no plans for a new installment.

"There isn't one in the pipe," he revealed. "No, there's no plan for a fourth Iron Man."

Downey shared the news at the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival, where he was on hand to promote his new film The Judge. The courtroom drama costars Robert Duvall, who advised the actor to not "let" anybody else take over the role.

"I like that the idea is that it would be up to me, like I'm casting director for Marvel," Downey joked.

Iron Man premiered in 2008, and was followed by Iron Man 2 in 2010 and Iron Man 3 in 2013. The movies grossed a combined $2.4 billion at the box office, and The Avengers took in $1.5 billion in 2012. Downey will appear as Iron Man in Avengers: Age of Ultron in 2015, and is under contract for a third Avengers movie.