Robert Downey Jr. Defends Mel Gibson, Wants Him to Direct 'Iron Man 4'

Marvel fans, your last best hope for another "Iron Man" movie might just be Mel Gibson.

Robert Downey Jr. has said in the past that "Iron Man 3" was his last go at the character of Tony Stark in a solo movie, and that "Iron Man 4" wouldn't happen with him wearing the armor.

But in a recent interview, Downey revealed that there's one thing that might convince him to go ahead with one more sequel: if Mel Gibson directs it.

"Why not? That movie would be bananas," Downey said.

That part might just be a case of RDJ being RDJ, but his defense of Gibson is as sincere as it gets.

"He has changed so much," Downey said of Gibson. "Nobody should make a case for somebody who just wants forgiveness but hasn’t changed, but he’s a fundamentally different guy. I think it was just the very worst aspects of somebody’s psyche being treated as though they were the blanket statement about a person."

Downey went on to say that Gibson is "so gifted as a storyteller and a director" and praised him for his parenting abilities. "I always say too that if you want to judge a man or a woman then look at their kids," he said. "He has the healthiest, happiest, most productive kids you could ever meet or know, and I’m fortunate to be friendly with several of them."

Is it time for everyone to forgive Mel Gibson? Iron Man said so...