Every star has that one role; the role that will gain him immense repute. One that his name shall become synonymous with. For Robert Downey Jr., it was the role of Iron Man. Life had thrown a lot of curve balls in the way of the Sherlock Holmes star. Yet he rode the turbulent waves and made it out in some fashion, making the character (and to a certain extent, the entire franchise) his very own.
Robert Downey Jr.’s Iron Man was a resounding success
Robert Downey Jr.’s Iron Man was the first movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In 2008, the film, which, as we know, revolved around a genius, billionaire, playboy, and philanthropist, hit the screens. And the rest is cinematic history.
The movie set the tone for the franchise, winning the hearts (and piquing the interest) of fans all around the world. Made on a budget of $186 million, the movie would go on to have a bumper outing, making as much as $585 million in the course of its run.
Kevin Feige ‘thanks’ Robert Downey Jr.
It has been 15 years since that fateful day. Taking a trip down memory lane, the big boss of Marvel Studios, Kevin Feige, remarked how important the film was. He said,
“I remember on later movies – we’ll talk about them on the 15th anniversary of those – there were dark days. I would say to Robert, ‘We wouldn’t be in this mess if it wasn’t for you,’ meaning we wouldn’t have a studio if it wasn’t for him. Or you (pointing to Jon Favreau).”
Feige is not amiss. This was not the first rodeo involving a film revolving around a comic book. The others had not fared so well. The success of the Marvel Cinematic Universe paved the way for more films like these.
Jon Favreau knew it in an instant
Jon Favreau was the brain behind the Iron Man trilogy. Yet he couldn’t gloss over the fact that the success was in part down to the Dolittle star’s guile. The Chef star said, “Once it was him, that’s when my life got a lot easier.”
He continued,
“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.”
Favreau always had an eye for talent after all.
Source: The News International
