Robert Downey Jr: Iron Man's Early Days as a Second-Tier Superhero

Robert Downey Jr. didn't hesitate to take on the role of Iron Man in the first MCU movie, despite his initial view of the character as "second-tier." At the time, he was not known for big blockbusters, but he eagerly accepted the opportunity to work with director Jon Favreau. Speaking on The Hollywood Reporter's Actors Roundtable, he reflected on how he was impressed by Favreau's work, particularly his monologue in Swingers. Downey Jr. felt a strong connection to Favreau, as they both had roots in Queens and shared a passion for improv.

These days, Marvel movies are incredibly popular, but it wasn't always that way. Downey Jr. expressed doubts about the success of Iron Man, believing the character to be a "second-tier" hero and pointing out the lack of certainty about its potential. He also noted that Marvel took an unconventional, indie approach to the genre movie, allowing "the lunatics to run the asylum for a little while," during the making of Iron Man.

It wasn't always guaranteed that Downey Jr. would be cast as Tony Stark. Favreau and Marvel boss Kevin Feige had to convince management to approve the casting, in part due to his past legal issues related to drugs and guns.

On the same panel, Downey Jr.'s Marvel co-star Mark Ruffalo revealed that Downey Jr. may have been the reason he signed on to play the Hulk. The two had previously acted together in 2007's Zodiac, and Downey Jr. claimed that he had "convinced" Ruffalo to take on the role.

"I owe it all to you," Ruffalo expressed his gratitude to Downey Jr.

Recent reports have hinted at Marvel potentially reuniting the original Avengers for a new film, but it remains uncertain if this will come to fruition.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z fan, I grew up with the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and Iron Man was one of my favorite superheroes. I remember being so excited when the first Iron Man movie came out in 2008 and I was blown away by Robert Downey Jr.'s performance. He brought so much charisma and humor to the role and really made Tony Stark come to life. I think it's amazing that he was able to take a character that was considered "second-tier" and turn him into one of the most popular superheroes in the world.

I also appreciate that Marvel took a chance on Downey Jr. despite his past legal issues. It shows that they were willing to look beyond someone's mistakes and give them a second chance. I think this is a great message for young people who may have made mistakes in the past. It shows that it's possible to overcome your mistakes and achieve your dreams.