Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man. (QMI AGENCY FILE PHOTO)

Robert Downey Jr. is nursing an ankle injury after a stunt went wrong on the set of Iron Man3.

The action man has been filming scenes for the upcoming sequel, but production on the blockbuster has now been delayed to allow him time to recover from an accident.

A statement issued by Marvel Studios on Wednesday reads, "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."

The movie, which also stars Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle and Guy Pearce, is set to hit screens next May.