Robert Downey Jr. still remains the biggest star of the MCU, although Hugh Jackman may have something to say about that when he eventually makes it to the mainstream. The actor who kicked it all off with 2008’s Iron Man, Robert Downey Jr. has become synonymous with the character, and his demise in Avengers: Endgame was rued by fans all over the globe.
On the other hand, Marisa Tomei also deserves flowers for the work she has done in the MCU as Aunt May for Tom Holland’s Peter Parker. Meeting her death in 2021’s No Way Home, Tomei said goodbye to the franchise. But what many might not know is that she formerly dated Robert Downey Jr. briefly, which seems to have paid off more than two decades later.
Robert Downey Jr. recommended Marisa Tomei for the role of Aunt May
While Marisa Tomei is also a bonafide MCU star, even though her character is dead, there is no competing with the kind of clout Robert Downey Jr. enjoys. The two dated way before Downey Jr. had made it to the MCU. The relationship happened back in 1994 after the two starred in the romantic comedy Only You.
It was despite Downey Jr.’s 1992 marriage with Deborah Falconer, which ended only in 2004. Regardless, of the nature of their relationship, the two remained friends, which paid off for Tomei when it came to the casting of 2016’s Captain America: Civil War.
In addition to bringing forth the feud between Iron Man and Captain America to a head, the movie also introduced Tomei’s Aunt May in the MCU, which then developed into her role in Tom Holland’s solo movies. As it turns out, Tomei was recommended by none other than Robert Downey Jr.: (via Guardian)
He recommended me for the role and we had a flirtatious little scene together in Captain America: Civil War [which introduced Tomei and Holland’s characters last year]. Having a familiar face around certainly made me more comfortable.
Of course, while Downey Jr.’s impact is unquestioned, Tomei did more than enough to warrant her casting, as she brought forth an entirely new twist to the character of Aunt May.
Marisa Tomei deserves plaudits for her role as Aunt May in Tom Holland’s Spider-Man movies
Tomei herself has enjoyed a stellar career across Hollywood. It brought her two Academy Award nominations and has resulted in multiple big roles in movies such as In the Bedroom, The Westler, and The Big Short.
The actress called her role alongside Micke Rourke in The Wrestler a dream come true, as she enjoyed working with director Darren Aronofsky, who she attended high school with. (The Guardian)
Regardless, she also deserves praise for her work in Aunt May, considering the kind of doubt fans aired when news of her casting initially broke. Traditionally seen as the wise widow of Ben Parker, Tomei’s rendition brought forth an entirely new twist to Aunt May, as she was suddenly Peter Parker’s ‘hot aunt.’
This brought forth a minor romantic arc with Jon Favreau’s Happy Hogan, as Downey Jr. himself teased a similar arc between Iron Man and Aunt May, after the casting of Tomei. Despite Aunt May’s death, Tomei’s portrayal is well-remembered by fans, who will hope that she can return in some capacity in the coming time.
That, considering the multiverse and its limitlessness, will always remain an exciting prospect.
All of Tom Holland’s Spider-Man movies are available on Disney+.
