Robert Downey Jr. talks about 'Iron Man 3' and new director Shane Black

Director Jon Favreau and Robert Downey Jr. on the set of "Iron Man 2."

Iron Man is about to get lethal.

Actor Robert Downey Jr., currently involved in the filming of "The Avengers," recently talked with Hero Complex about the future of Tony Stark.

The biggest change for the franchise is that director Jon Favreau, who helmed the first two movies, will not be back. Well, at least not as director.


He is being replaced by Shane Black, perhaps most famous for writing the script for the original "Lethal Weapon" in six weeks at age 23. In 2005, Black directed Downey in "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang."

Black is “more than the sum of his parts and he’s also kind of been a sleeper for a long time,” Downey told Hero Complex.

“We’re not talking much about (the script) right now because Shane is off writing  and we talked before that and when we are talking again the talking is going to be over pretty quick (because we're on the same page). It’s kind of like we’re fighting on the same side and at the same time we’re circling each other, so it’s all great. It should be great.”

The relationship between Downey and Favreau became strained during the filming of "Iron Man 2," although the two have since reconciled their differences. In fact, Favreau has joked about continuing his on-screen role as Happy in the third movie - but only if they can agree on a salary.

Downey told Hero Complex:

"Bringing in Shane Black to write and direct ‘Iron Man 3′ to me is basically the only transition from Favreau to a ‘next thing’ that Favreau and the audience and Marvel and I could ever actually sign off on. The fun thing is going to be getting Happy in the movie.”