Robert Downey Jr. wants to retire from Iron Man before it becomes “embarrassing”

Will he exit after Infinity War?

In 2008, Robert Downey Jr. stepped into the role of a lifetime with the first Iron Man movie. No one really expected Iron Man to be a big success, let alone kick off the biggest modern movie franchise ever. Robert Downey Jr. may have expected to do a sequel or two but he's done seven movies over the course of just under a decade.

With more and more superhero movies joining the fray, audiences are starting to become a bit fatigued with the genre and it seems Robert Downey Jr. believes his part of the superhero bubble may pop soon. Speaking with News.com.au, the actor discussed how he doesn't want to overstay his welcome and when he thinks he'll retire.

"It's this cyclical thing," he explained. "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 (Avengers directors Anthony and Joe) Russos, who I adore."

"Everyone says to me it's like a glove that fits so well," he said. "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."

Many have speculated the actor will exit after the character's potential death in Avengers: Infinity War or its sequel, both will release in May 2018 and 2019 respectively.

Robert Downey Jr. will don the Iron Man suit in Spider-Man: Homecoming which swings into theaters this Friday.