It looks as though Robert Downey Jr can't resist the megabucks after all. Actually, we already knew that, but for a moment there the actor actually had us believe that he might not make Iron Man 4.

Robert Downey JrRobert Downey Jr could be back in the saddle as Tony Stark in 'Iron Man 4'

Speaking to Ellen DeGeneres this week as part of a promotional tour for The Judge, Downey Jr said he's "in the middle of negotiations " for another outing as Tony Stark.

"I know there's going to be a bunch more Marvel movies, and they have big ideas of how to do it best, and we're in the middle of negotiations," the actor said of the possibility of a fourth Iron Man movie. "So, yes," DeGeneres interrupted, "Okay, yes," he agreed.

More: Robert Downey Jr is ready for 'Iron Man 4'- if Mel Gibson directs

Last week, Downey Jr suggested that he'd only make another Iron Man movie if his friend Mel Gibson was hired as director, however, during a Reddit AMA session, the actor described the comments as "offhanded remarks", adding, "I have other projects in mind for Mel and I.sooner or later the Marvel roster will be made public and all questions [about further appearances as Tony Stark] will be answered."

Iron Man 3Robert Downey Jr as made a fortune from the Iron Man and Avengers movies

The final comment hinted at the fact that Iron Man 4 was likely and his comments on Ellen all but confirm that Downey Jr will be back in the saddle. From a business point of view, Iron Man 4 was probably never in doubt. We know that the actor reaps huge financial benefits from his place in the Marvel universe and he'll score another mega pay-out when Avengers: Age of Ultron inevitably breaks box-office records.

More: check out our Robert Downey Jr pictures

Downey Jr's CAA representatives negotiated a deal for the actor to receive a percentage of the gross from Marvel movies in which he appears. Reports peg that figure at between 5 and 7 per cent and the 45-year-old himself confirmed he received over $50 million from The Avengers. 

Watch Robert Downey Jr in 'The Judge' trailer: