Robert Downey Jr. had to adopt the face of an egoistic playboy for the role of Iron Man at the beginning of the MCU. When the movie was received very well, the Iron Man actor gained even more confidence.
While on The Howard Stern Show, Robert Downey Jr got the love of the people as he unabashedly claimed that the MCU was entirely carried on his shoulders.
When Robert Downey Jr. Carried The MCU on His Back
Adored by billions and loved by millions, Robert Downey Jr. has had the hold of things ever since he debuted as Tony Stark in Iron Man (2008). After a disturbing past that had him behind bars for the usage of drugs and other related charges, the Due Date actor made everyone understand that people can indeed change.
While sitting down with Howard Stern on The Howard Stern Show, Robert Downey Jr. claimed that a shrine should be built in his honor and stated that he essentially carried the entire MCU on his back. The video starts with Howard Stern asking Downey Jr. what would happen if Marvel were to replace him. Here’s what the Sherlock Holmes actor had to say in reply,
“Well let me backtrack and just say that if you’d ask me this in 2008, 09, 10, how I felt about it, I’d say that I was the Atlas of the Marvel Universe. I was holding it up. They should erect a shrine in my honor blah, blah, blah..whatever. I got to be the front man in a band that was gonna be in the hall of fame no matter what
Eventually, the Chaplin actor got the role of Tony Stark in the MCU before sacrificing the character of Iron Man in Avengers: Endgame. Tony Stark was loved by all and still remains to be the most famous role of Robert Downey Jr. to date.
When Robert Downey Jr. Felt Underconfident
Although the above title does not seem real, there was a time when Robert Downey Jr. doubted his own abilities. Before the testing and auditioning of Iron Man (2008), the Zodiac actor was not at all what he seems today. During an earlier telecasting on the same show (The Howard Stern Show), the Dolittle actor revealed how he felt underconfident during a time and how he had to change his worldview to adapt to the needs of his characters.
“There is a bit of destiny involved. I haven’t done it really since [talking about changing his attitude] but for this one instance, I had to psyche myself into that there was nobody else on Earth had a chance. I was too prepared, I was too confident.”
There were true talks about Nicolas Cage or Tom Cruise seemingly beating Robert Downey Jr. for the role of Iron Man, but the Tropic Thunder actor managed to secure a win for himself and the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Source: YouTube
