The Oscar-winning actor, who is reprising his role as billionaire playboy Tony Stark, injured his ankle while performing a stunt.

“Robert Downey Jr. sustained an ankle injury on the set of Iron Man 3 in Wilmington, N.C., while performing a stunt,” the studio said. “There will be a short delay in the production schedule while he recuperates.”

The Marvel Studios film, which Disney will distribute, is scheduled to debut May 3, 2013. The statement declares the injury to Downey, the film’s male lead, will not change that.

Expectations are running high for the enthusiastically anticipated sequel following the first two films' stunning global grosses, which topped out at $585 million and $623 million, respectively.