When Robert Downey Jr. was cast as Tony Stark/Iron Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2008, it was a defining moment in his career and in the history of modern film. The role would go on to become one of the most iconic and successful in the superhero genre, solidifying Downey Jr.’s status as a leading Hollywood actor. However, as the actor revealed on a podcast appearance with Joe Rogan, securing the role was not a straightforward process.
Robert Downey Jr.The Road to Iron Man
In a podcast appearance on Joe Rogan‘s show, Robert Downey Jr. discussed the process of convincing Marvel boss Stan Lee to cast him as Iron Man. Rogan noted that Downey Jr. “owned” the role, saying,
“How many fuc*ing spider-man’s have have been how many Hulk’s have there been yeah there’s only one Iron Man though you got that this far what yours is here your Iron Man that looks like this sir certain dudes just own a role and if anybody else tried to be Iron Man we’ll be well”
The Road to Iron Man
In a podcast appearance on Joe Rogan‘s show, Robert Downey Jr. discussed the process of convincing Marvel boss Stan Lee to cast him as Iron Man. Rogan noted that Downey Jr. “owned” the role, saying,
“How many fuc*ing spider-man’s have have been how many Hulk’s have there been yeah there’s only one Iron Man though you got that this far what yours is here your Iron Man that looks like this sir certain dudes just own a role and if anybody else tried to be Iron Man we’ll be well”
Robert Downey Jr. in Joe Rogan Podcast
Downey Jr. acknowledged the similarities between himself and the character of Tony Stark but explained that it was not fate that led him to the role. He said,
“My dad was a kind of an underground filmmaker author maverick, I grew up definitely being Bob Downey’s senior’s kid, spent time on Long Island which is I think where Tony was raised.”
RDJ continued,
“Once something goes your way you can draw all the parallels you want you can call it destiny but it was it was something that I definitely felt drawn to and I definitely fought for, and looking back on and I go ‘why was I fighting for that?’ because it turned out to be a pretty special thing“
Robert Downey Jr. with Stan Lee
The actor revealed that he “felt a strong pull towards the role” and “fought tirelessly” to secure it.
The Iron Man Legacy
Robert Downey Jr.’s casting as Tony Stark/Iron Man was the result of a determined effort on his part to secure the role, rather than a foregone conclusion.
Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man
The role of Tony Stark/Iron Man would go on to become one of the most iconic and successful in the superhero genre, with Downey Jr.’s portrayal widely regarded as one of the best. His casting as Stark was a defining moment in the MCU and his portrayal of the character was instrumental in the franchise’s unprecedented success.
