He may be a superhero on film but in real life, he’s all too human. While filming the upcoming ‘Iron Man 3’ sequel, Robert Downey Jr. sustained an ankle injury that has prompted production on the film to temporarily halt.

In a statement to the press, Marvel studios states:

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

From the sound of it, Downey Jr. may have just sprained his ankle and will need time for it to heal for any upcoming scenes that require a lot of movement. Thankfully, the injury wasn’t too severe that production had to quit altogether.

Iron Man 3’ is the launching movie for Marvel’s Phase 2 of its cinematic universe which will then be followed by ‘Thor: The Dark World’ (which should begin production sometime in the next few weeks), ‘Captain America: The Winter Soldier’ and hopefully ‘Ant-Man.’

Fans are eagerly awaiting ‘Iron Man 3’ and expectations are rather high for the film. Although the plot is currently being held under wraps, it’s believed that it’s inspired by the Iron Man ‘Extremis’ storyline from Warren Ellis in which scientists create a new form of nanotechnology called ‘Extremis’ that is capable of rewriting the body’s repair center and create a super soldier. Not only is the nanotechnology introduced to Tony Stark and Stark Industries but it’s also sold to terrorists.

‘Iron Man 3’ is directed by Shane Black based on a screenplay co-written by him and Drew Pearce and brings back Robert Downey Jr. and Gwyneth Paltrow. Also starring in the film are Guy Pearce, Ben Kingsley (as the Mandarin!), Jon Favreau, Rebecca Hall, Cobie Smulders, William Sadler, Dale Dickey and James Badge Dale.

Barring any more significant delays, ‘Iron Man 3’ should hit the theaters May 3, 2013.