Before 'Iron Man 3,' Robert Downey Jr. Has A Few Other Meaty Roles On His Plate

With "Iron Man 3" officially on the calendar, superhero fans everywhere can take solace in the fact that Robert Downey Jr. is returning to the scene as Tony Stark at least two more times in the relatively near future (the other time being for 2012's "Avengers").

Downey is all but locked for the film — at the very least, we can't imagine anyone else wearing the red-and-gold suit — but he has a long road to go down before "Iron Man 3" hits theaters. That's not a complaint, of course, as every RDJ-starring movie standing between now and Ol' Shellhead's return sounds like a winner in the making.
After the jump, we've got the rundown on the projects facing Downey before "Iron Man 3" arrives on the scene!
"Due Date"
From the director of "The Hangover" comes "Due Date," a new comedy starring Downey and Zach Galifianakis as two men forced to drive across the country so that Downey's character, an expectant father, can arrive in time for his child's birth. With Todd Phillips at the helm, expect hilarious celebrity cameos and vomit-worthy hilarity. The comedy hits theaters on November 5, 2010.
"Sherlock Holmes 2"
After the amazing success of "Sherlock Holmes," a sequel starring Downey as the British sleuth was an elementary decision. RDJ is currently filming the sequel alongside Jude Law as Watson, with new actors including Jared Harris as Moriarty and Noomi Rapace as the film's female lead.
"Gravity"
Of all of Downey's upcoming movies, the actor's smallest time commitment comes in the form of "Gravity." He's set to co-star in director Alfonso Cuaron's space-set movie about a female astronaut (rumored to be played by Sandra Bullock) as she struggles to survive and return home to Earth. Downey's role is a supporting one, but one we're eagerly anticipating nonetheless.
"Oz the Great and Powerful"
Although he's not officially confirmed to star, Downey is all but guaranteed to headline "Oz the Great and Powerful" for director Sam Raimi. If he can fit the film into his busy schedule, Downey would play a younger version of the Wizard, an eccentrically dressed con artist who goes around seducing witches and wives with alarming regularity. Sounds like a match made in heaven for RDJ.
"The Avengers"
Of course, the one we're most excited for is Downey's reprisal of Tony Stark in Joss Whedon's "The Avengers," Marvel Studios' superhero team-up that brings Captain America, Thor, Nick Fury, the Hulk and more all under the same roof. It's an ambitious project with potential for tremendous success or absolute failure, but it'll be an epic endeavor nonetheless.

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