Robert Downey Jr. has signed a four year film deal with Marvel Studios.  The agreement includes the first Iron Man plus Iron Man 2, and Iron Man 3.  In addition, Downey agreed to be in The Avengers, a movie about a team of superheroes including Iron Man, Capitan American, The Incredible Hulk, The Wasp, Giant Man, Hawkeye, and Thor. 

The director of Iron Man and Iron Man 2, Jon Favreau, has also signed onto the project as executive producer.  Don Cheadle will appear in The Avengers as Robert Downey Jr.’s (Tony Stark) best friend, Jim Rhodes aka War Machine. Cheadle is replacing Terrance Howard, who played Rhodes in the first Iron Man (May 2, 2008). Iron Man 2 will be released on May 7, 2010, with The Avengers slated for a July 2011 release.

Click here to read all about Gossip Sauce's take on Downey's big deal.

-Jessica Delli Santi