As the release date for the highly-anticipated Marvel film, 'Avengers: Age of Ultron', draws near, anxious fans are left looking for spoilers about what can be expected with the movie's plot. Recent rumors claim that the popular billionaire superhero, Iron Man, will meet his demise sometime in the storyline.

However, it's important to note that the rumor remains unconfirmed, as no statement about the death of Iron Man has been made by Marvel or actor Robert Downey Jr. On a side note, Downey has admitted that he'd like to stop playing the role of Iron Man in future films, because he feels that his retirement from the role is long overdue.

Even though Downey expressed his wishes to cease playing the role of Tony Stark, rumors have still emerged about his reprisal of the role for the upcoming 'Iron Man 4'.

According to reports, it is highly unlikely that Downey's character will have a drastic change after 'Avengers 2' since Marvel has always been known to maintain the original characteristics of the lead characters while creating a little variety.

It remains as a fact that Downey has already signed on for at least one more 'Avengers' film after the upcoming 'Avengers 2'. So if Iron Man will be killed off in the upcoming film, it is speculated that it has to be well orchestrated since he will die then probably rise from the ashes in 'Iron Man 4' or 'Avengers 3'.

Meanwhile, it has been reported that there will be a face-off between the Hulk and Iron Man, "It can't just be a good fight, it's gotta be about something. And the great thing in 'Age of Ultron' is, that fight between [the Hulk and Tony Stark] is, nobody wins when two people who are friends fight," Downey recently announced during the 2014 Comic-Con event.

'Avengers: Age of Ultron' launches on May 1, 2015.