There’s no denying that Marvel has built a massive empire in the film industry, especially with superhero adaptations. But there’s one in particular that’s really responsible for this huge surge in global fanbase and smashing box office records.
Even though the studios knew Robert Downey Jr. would be a big presence in their universe, he was practically the “secret weapon” that the MCU needed to ensure its success. But getting him on board wasn’t easy, considering his turbulent past. He was one of the top contenders to play Iron Man, but he didn’t jump at the role right away.
Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man Had An Influence On Robert Downey Jr.’s Iron Man
Before Robert Downey Jr. became the icon he is today, he lived through a pretty chaotic period in his life, where he felt stuck and without prospects because of his drug use. While this story isn’t exactly a secret — he’s talked about it openly a few times — not everyone knows the full journey of how he transformed into the RDJ we know now.
Given this scenario, it seemed unlikely that a major role would come his way, but Marvel was ready to change that. According to Jon Favreau, the director of the first Iron Man, he was confident that Downey was the perfect fit.
Speaking to Kevin Feige, president of Marvel Studios, to celebrate Iron Man’s 15th anniversary, Favreau said:
I remember sitting down with [Robert] and I was like, he just got it and he’s got that spark in him and his eye and he’s ready. Once it was him, that’s when my life got a lot easier.
When the role was finally offered, Downey wasn’t sure at first, even though he was a perfect fit. Initially hesitant, he took some time to build confidence. Tom Cruise and Clive Owen were also considered for the role before he fully committed.
In a recent interview on The Hollywood Reporter’s official podcast, Awards Chatter, Downey opened up about it:
I had been clean long enough … hungry even longer and I could feel [the] obsession coming back with manifesting the best version of myself … I had strangely been furiously strength training six times a week before I even knew [this role] was coming … and my shrink had told me ‘just start acting like something great is gonna happen and get ready for it’.
However, something specific helped him see how promising the role could be. Downey revealed that Tobey Maguire‘s Spider-Man also played a role in his decision to fully commit to Marvel. At the time, he realized that comic book movies were gaining popularity, and this was almost like getting a glimpse of his future with Iron Man.
Robert Downey Jr. Had Admitted That He’d Like To Return To His Role As Iron Man
Recently announced as Doctor Doom in the MCU, RDJ’s role has fueled theories since Avengers: Endgame. Given the multiverse and audience issues, many think bringing him back is a solution, and it seems Feige agrees.
It turns out that despite the new role for the actor, he had already hinted in interviews about his willingness to return if the opportunity arose. In a conversation with actress Jodie Foster at Variety’s Actors on Actors in 2023, she asked him if he would consider coming back to the character. Downey replied:
It’s just crazily in my DNA. Probably the most like-me character I’ve ever played, even though he’s way cooler than I am. I’ve become surprisingly open-minded to the idea.
On The Hollywood Reporter podcast, Downey also revealed that negotiations to play Doctor Doom had been in the works since last year. It’s unclear whether his comments about returning as Iron Man came before an official discussion with Feige, but it’s now clear that Downey had been ready to return to the MCU for longer than anyone realized.
Many new theories are already circulating, with some suggesting that the actor’s new villain could be a variant of Tony Stark. Feige has already made it clear that resurrecting the Avenger isn’t on the table. But since it’s Marvel, everyone knows that anything is possible.
Iron Man is currently streaming on Disney+.
