Robert Downey Jr. will reprise the role of Iron Man in Marvel's forthcoming 'Avengers: Infinity War'.

The 51-year-old actor confirmed he will be making a return as the iconic superhero at a recent event, with the much-anticipated movie set to hit cinema screens in 2018.

He told Entertainment Tonight: ''We have a start date! That's, you know, when you start shooting.

''So I have yet to be released from my Marvel contract! You heard it here first!''

The Hollywood star has recently wrapped up filming for the forthcoming 'Spider-Man: Homecoming', which will be his eighth performance as the genius billionaire and will see him star opposite Tom Holland, who has followed in the footsteps of Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield.

Asked to name his favourite Spider-Man actor, Robert said: ''I'm good friends with Toby, so I can't play favourites here, but that Tom Holland guy is something else.''

Robert added that he was ''really excited at the way it's being re-imagined'' and said the upcoming movie will have a ''a 21st century take'' on the Spider-Man story.

He added: ''I was (always) in a good mood when I was shooting my little bit in ('Homecoming'), so that must mean it's an excellent motion picture.''

The film veteran will also star in the Guy Ritchie-directed 'Sherlock Holmes 3', as he reprises the role of the fictional detective alongside his right-hand man John Watson, played by Jude Law.

He previously said: ''I can't wait. We can do some preliminary stuff. If we could shoot it on Skype we could have done it in a week.

''I know Guy Ritchie loves me as much as I love him - and he damn well should. When we're making those 'Sherlock' movies it is off the hook.''