Terrible Casting- Iron Man

[blackbyrd]

Is it me or is the casting terrible? The actors are too old. I have been reading Iron Man comics since issue 150ish. It has been a long time. Given his history, he should be about 26 or so years old at the time that he becomes Iron Man with the suit.

His history goes like this (I have changed some elements in italics to change the Vietnam element to something more contemporary.)

Tony Stark enters the undergraduate engineering (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engineering) program at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT, the mascot is the Beavers) in Cambridge, MA while only 15 years old and graduates at the top of his class. At the age of 21, he inherits his father's company, Stark Industries, after his parents are killed in a car accident. One of the first things Stark does is to buy out the company that made the faulty brakes on his parent's car and correct the mechanical problem.
**Let’s say that he makes the changes to the brakes by age 22.
While on a visit to Iraq to see how his new mini-transistors (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transistor) could assist the American (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_of_America) war effort, Stark is caught in a booby trap. Captured by an Iraqiinsurgent named Omid Al-Abdullah, and dying from a piece of shrapnel (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shrapnel) lodged in his heart from the booby trap, Stark is pressed into building weapons for Omid Al-Abdullah, along with a fellow prisoner, the famed physicist Yin Sen (later called Ho Yinsen). However, Stark and Yin Sen use the workshop to secretly design and construct a suit of powered armor (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Powered_armor) — an iron exoskeleton (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exoskeleton) that gives Stark tremendous strength as well as other abilities — that will not only keep Stark's heart beating, but also allow him to escape. Yin Sen sacrifices himself to buy Stark time to charge the bulky suit of armor, and as Iron Man, Stark makes short work of Omid Al-Abdullah and his men. On the way back, Iron Man encounters a wounded American (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States) Air Force (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_force) helicopter pilot, Jim Rhodes (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_Machine).
**To be a pilot in the US military you have to be a Warrant Officer or Line officer which requires a college degree. So, let’s say Rhodes is 18 when he goes to college, graduates at 21 and gets commisioned in the Air Force by 22. Training can take a year or two to get enough flying hours in to see action. That would put him at 24. Judging from the comics Tony and Jim are roughly the same age so that would mean that if Tony when to Iraq at qge 22/23 he was held captive for a year or more. I highly doubt that he and Yin bult the suit in a few months starting from scratch, although it is possible given his intellect.
Introducing himself as Stark's bodyguard, Iron Man and Rhodes manage to defend themselves against the pursuing Iraqis before making it back to American lines. On his return to the US, Stark continues to improve the armor, establishing a dual identity as the adventurer and superhero Iron Man. He also greatly expands his father's company, Stark Industries, eventually renaming it Stark International.

**So, let’s say that the whole ordeal takes Tony 2 years from the time he was captured to the time he escaped and was sent home. He would be 25ish. Note that being a pilot requires a 6 year military commitment not the normal 4 year so that means Rhodes won’t get out of the USAF until he is 28. This would mean that the upgrades and expansion of the company take a couple of years.
The cover for Iron Man is that he is Stark's bodyguard (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bodyguard) and corporate mascot.

**So, it is not out of the realm to think that Tony is 28 before he hits full swing as Iron Man. Robert Downey, Jr. is 41. So, the movie would imply that he beomes a superhero at the young age of 41?! !@#$% It took him from age 21 when he got the company to 41 to make a suit. WTF?! Terrance Howard is 37. So he nearly spends an entire professional career in the USAF, in truth, in the comics, he was probably out by age 29.

Hollywood just screws everything up….


Check out his different armors.
http://www.ironmanarmory.com/armors.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_Man's_armor

The only one they left out was the Hulkbuster Armor

[Zen Ith]

Are you saying that Robert Downey Jr, who has won OSCARS and is a respected actor in the business, is a bad choice because he's a little old?

He doesn't even look 41.

[Ironfan72]

There will be people who don't like anyone who is cast, if Tom Cruise had been cast, then we would see threads about how short he is or how he looks nothing like Stark, you can't make everyone happy.
Personally, I like the choices of Robert and Terrence, both are talented actors who believe in the roles they were cast for, especially Robert so, as I've said from the moment Robert was cast, give him a chance.

[tamron]

I'm not a fan of Downey as IM, but Stark should not have been a 20-something in the film, either. Early-to-mid-thirties would've been perfect.

Downey doesn't look 41, he looks 45-48. Not to criticize, but his earlier life choices have aged him.

[SouLeSS]

Tom Welling is what, like 31? He plays a 18 year old on Smallville and does a (for the most part) fine job.

[Dr. Fate]

I don't mind seeing a guy in his 40s play a superhero. It's kind of refreshing after seeing someone who's way too young like Brandon Routh play Superman.

[porchmonkey408]

Hey.

Quit holdin' the Downey man down...ey...

He rocks your mothers' socks off everyday so pay some respect.

He'll do Ironman justice.

[Stripesy Strip]

Hollywood has been annoying me like Hell in the 90s by casting too young. I'm won't whine because they cast older people, actor that actualy can carry a movie. I always saw Tony Stark as this tough businessman, not as some young punk inventor whatever.

[terry78]

Michael Keaton was a tad older when he became the Bat. The X-Men were kids, Spider-Man was a kid, etc. We're not doing Iron Man Begins(well, we are, but he wasn't a kid when he started.)

[Banshee's Pod]

Thank You! I totally agree with you Blackbyrd. Robert Downey Jr. was a complete mistake for Tony Stark/Iron Man, and it seem's that everywhere I go people are just excepting it because...what, he is an Oscar nominated actor??? So what?! Halle Berry won a freakin' Oscar and she still sucked as Storm!
The age is a big problem for me. I mean what is with Marvel casting so old with everything? X-men anyone? Come on, they were all like in their forty's!
Now this! We have to remember that these movies become huge. They go on to make sequel after sequel so it only makes sense to get younger actors so we don't got no sixty-something Iron Man trying to save the world!
But that's not just it. Look at the character, the story. It just doesn't seem as tragic to have Tony get the shrapnel when he's already lived half his life. It also makes the playboy aspect seem more like a midlife crisis.
How I saw Tony (And this could just be me.) was inheriting the company at age 21 (Duh-we all know that.) working on the company, coming into his own, making it with the government, blah, blah, blah, and having got captured by...say 25. And let's face it Comic book characters don't age. They can't age. They have their set, assumed ages. Tony, for me, is about 28.
It makes his story more (To repeat myself) more tragic. Here he is taken down in his prime, such a bright future ahead of him, so much to live for, the world at his finger tips, all that could be taken away *snap* in a moment.
I could really get into this- I really like the sound of my own typing- but I'll spare you my dramatic retelling of the Golden Avenger and just say that I do not like this casting choice...I also don't care for Terrence Howard as Rhodes (DiamondBack Perfact!) ether, but I digress.
I have nothing against older actors. I have nothing against older people, IF they are right for the role. Robert Downey Jr is not Tony Stark. Robert Downey Jr is not Iron Man.

[terry78]

^He was never that young when he was captured. He was in his mid to late 30's at the latest.

[Hunter Rider]

I thought this had died down,i'm unconvinced but willing to be convinced that RDJ is right for Stark,i'll wait for a trailer to pass any further judgement

[pifpaf]

Thank You! I totally agree with you Blackbyrd. Robert Downey Jr. was a complete mistake for Tony Stark/Iron Man, and it seem's that everywhere I go people are just excepting it because...what, he is an Oscar nominated actor??? So what?! Halle Berry won a freakin' Oscar and she still sucked as Storm!
The age is a big problem for me. I mean what is with Marvel casting so old with everything? X-men anyone? Come on, they were all like in their forty's!
Now this! We have to remember that these movies become huge. They go on to make sequel after sequel so it only makes sense to get younger actors so we don't got no sixty-something Iron Man trying to save the world!
But that's not just it. Look at the character, the story. It just doesn't seem as tragic to have Tony get the shrapnel when he's already lived half his life. It also makes the playboy aspect seem more like a midlife crisis.
How I saw Tony (And this could just be me.) was inheriting the company at age 21 (Duh-we all know that.) working on the company, coming into his own, making it with the government, blah, blah, blah, and having got captured by...say 25. And let's face it Comic book characters don't age. They can't age. They have their set, assumed ages. Tony, for me, is about 28.
It makes his story more (To repeat myself) more tragic. Here he is taken down in his prime, such a bright future ahead of him, so much to live for, the world at his finger tips, all that could be taken away *snap* in a moment.
I could really get into this- I really like the sound of my own typing- but I'll spare you my dramatic retelling of the Golden Avenger and just say that I do not like this casting choice...I also don't care for Terrence Howard as Rhodes (DiamondBack Perfact!) ether, but I digress.
I have nothing against older actors. I have nothing against older people, IF they are right for the role. Robert Downey Jr is not Tony Stark. Robert Downey Jr is not Iron Man.


sorry but most superheros was created thirthy or mid tirthy (exept spider man an human torch and cap america because cap was 20 in 1941) made by thirty and mid tirthy creator. By the way they created character in early 60 with a clark gable look because stan lee and don heck want him to look like clark gable
http://img21.imagevenue.com/loc469/th_54652_Clark_Gable_Biography_122_469lo.jpg

http://img171.imagevenue.com/loc432/th_54654_frontpage5_122_432lo.jpg (http://img171.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=54654_frontpage5_122_432lo.jpg)

[Chaos Bringer]

Tony Stark isn't a kid or a twenty something...

[blackbyrd]

However you think the story should be, it isn't given factual information about military service, his control of Stark by 21, he genius intellect, etc. If he is smart enough to run a Fortune 500 by 21, don't you think he'd have gov contracts sewn up some 3 years later. By assuming he was in his thirties, it takes him 10 years to get Stark to the forefront being a genius and wunderkind. It doesn't add up. As for Oscar winning RDJ, who cares, some of the most popular movies ever did not have Oscar winners and the acting was fine and in truth, people loved it more. Name the last 10 best pictures. Most people don't remember. Now name your favorite big budgets films and people will name the usual suspects. Star Wars, LOTR, Indy Jones, etc...blah, blah. Hollywood has screwed up just about every character that I grew up with in comics reading for roughly 228 years or so.

I am not a DC comics fan but Batman Begins remains the best comic movie ever. For the record, my favorite character of all time is Spidey. Tobey was fine but the casting for everyone else has been horrible. Topher Grace is Eddie Brock. Does Topher look 6'3" and 260lbs. Part of the allure of these characters is not just the attitudes or powers but their personas. The ting that makes Wolverine so cool is that he is so little and will fight the biggest guy no matter what. Take the visual, 5'3" Wolverine looking up at Juggernaut and saying, "bring it." It is why everyone loves Yoda, he is so little and old and will take anyone down. As a side, when they remake Star Wars in 100 years and make Yoda 6' and purple, I think we all agree that isn't Yoda.

As for an assumed age. Spidey was a soph in high school when he got the powers, the 5 original X-Men were in HS, Torch and Sue Storm were in HS and college. Mr. Fantastic was in his PhD program when he met Sue when she was 14. He met her ecause he was living in her aunt's place as a renter or something. He is about 10 years older than her.

These are not the characters I know. They are cheap knock offs.

Superman's presumed age in most stories is 32 years old. Routh is like 27. Not that big a leap in age so not a big deal. That is a far cry from being about 25 when you get your suit to casting someone who is 41 but looks 50 because of all hte drugs he has done (Yes, RDJ is a druggie). No one ever said he was a bad actor.

[Banshee's Pod]

Amen to that!
Fine, whether or not you believe Stark's in his thirty's, twenties, whatever. The point remains that Robert Downey Jr. just doesn't convince me as Iron Man. I read the comics? I know the character? I've Compared the pictures. It just doesn't work for me.
Not to mention all I keep seeing is Robert Downey Jr.'s head on the cockroach body doing that thing with his tongue from A Scanner Darkly. Tony Stark? *sigh* :cwink: (LOL)
Also, just to argue my point of view; Tony is a freakin' genies. He inherited his father's company when he was 21. He went to freaggin' MIT when he was 15! You can't tell me that it took him that long to get his company on track and in charge. He did everything up to that point at an exceptional young age, why not have gotten the shrapnel?
I ain't knockin' anyone else's theory's, but for me Stark can't, or at least shouldn't, be any older then 32...at the most.
I also like what you said Blackbyrd, and would like to reiterate: No one said that Robert Downey Jr. was a bad actor, he just isn't Iron Man.

[Visionary]

I like the casting.

[Zen Ith]

Tony Stark needs to look like a mature adult for him to be a believable successful businessman, his powers come from a suit so his physical health isn't really that important. He has a heart disease too, you know.

[zanos]

Yeah it's terrible casting because Robert Downey is not young. lol.

[terry78]

Compared to Steve Rogers, Peter Parker, most of the X-Men, etc. Tony Stark is a middle aged superhero. That's always been the hook. In every incarnation he's been pretty close to 40 or in his 40's, still donning the suit, still fighting his enemies. It would be inaccurate to have him Christian Bale's age.

http://www.forbes.com/2006/11/20/tony-stark-money-tech-media_cx_mh_06fict15_iron.html

[blackbyrd]

Terry, I don't care what Forbes says. Truth is that is where Iron man is now not where he started.

I think we can all agree that when he took over the company at age 21, he was not worth $3billion.

I think we can also agree that most of the Marvel characters have aged over the years and are now at their fixed ages.

Spiderman was bitten by a Spider as a sophomore in HS. We all know he graduated (let's say 18). He went to Empire State University and got a bachelor's and a Master's, so age 23. I'm not sure if he finished school part time which would even make him older, which proves that Marvel characters age to a point.

The 5 original X-Men were HS age when they met Xavier. I think we can all agree that Cyke, Beast, Jean, Iceman, and Angel are no longer in high school.

As for being middle age when you establish a business and become successful, that is just crap. Does anyone remember the .com explosion.
Google
Monster.com
Amazon

These companies among others were all started by guys in their 20's. So enough about Tony being middle age.

Oh yeah, I can see it now, by Iron Man III, RDJ will be 60. Really cool. Not.

As for Bale, I think that in real life, he can make a couple more movies before he starts to look silly as a 40 year old wearing a rubber suit.

Reread the previous analysis, Tony was in his 20's when he made his first suit. As far as his looks, he only looks older because that is how people dressed. Go look in the 40's, people looked older because they dressed older. Wearing a fedora and suit and having facial hair doesn't make you middle aged. It is the style of the times. During Prohibition FBI Agents all wore fedoras but many were in their 20's. Do you honestly think RDJ will have that cheesy mustache in 2007? No way, it won't translate to present day.

What will make this movie great is how well they keep it based in reality a la Batman Begins.

Hollywood screwed up this casting. Without question.

[Banshee's Pod]

Tony only being a believable business man if he were in his forties doesn't work for me. That's his niche right? He's a genius! He got the company at the age of 21! For him to be in his forties he would be just another business man not Tony Stark. He's not just famous for being Iron Man. :word:

Also the thread topic is about the casting job of Robert Downey Jr. for Tony Stark, not Tony's age- Don't get me wrong I like the debate we have going here-and the age came up as a reason for not liking the casting, but I have yet to hear anyone tell me why they think Robert Downey Jr. can play Iron Man.

[IronMan_2005]

It's not a terrible choice at all!

who says the middle-eastern incident won't be a flashback sequence, like in Batman Begins, when they kept flashing back to the trial, him becoming a thief, and meeting Ra's

Middle-east - old clunky armor
flash foward a couple of years, updated armor
flash foward to present - modern armor.

If they can make Tom Cruise look like he's in his late 20s early 30s for MI:3 I'm pretty sure they can make RDJ look 35. (look up pictures of Cruise without Hollywood makeup, the guy looks pretty tore up)

[Abaddon]

http://www.rotten.com/library/bio/entertainers/actors/robert-downey-jr/robertdowneyjr.jpg

[terry78]

http://www.rotten.com/library/bio/entertainers/actors/robert-downey-jr/robertdowneyjr.jpg
http://fumettidicarta.interfree.it/Fumetti/Comics/Ultimates/Nonamosca.jpg
http://www.jedisparadise.co.uk/childrenstv/Iron%20Man/Iron%20Man006.jpg
http://www.comicscrew.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/06/cwfl_aa.jpg

Tony Stark is not a spring chicken. I think it works to his advantage to look a little weary and worn yet still put that suit on everytime the world needs saving.

[Abaddon]

I've no problem with Tony being older, but Downey looks a bit too worn and weary. Hopefully it'll all work, and they'll put a little more spring in his chicken.:cwink:


In the comics he looks european.:huh:

[IronMan_2005]

http://entimg.msn.com/i/wi/03/11/13/42310/1822717.jpg

http://entimg.msn.com/i/wi/03/11/13/42310/1842214.jpg
Ororo and Tony

http://entimg.msn.com/i/wi/03/11/13/42310/1842234.jpg

Slap a goatee and you have Tony Stark.

[IronMan_2005]

http://www.comicscrew.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/06/cwfl_aa.jpg


http://z.about.com/d/movies/1/0/m/q/7/ksbn5b.jpg

[Savage]

...Wow. That age thing is a pretty bad argument, considering that Iceman and Angel are younger than Marvel Woman and Cyclops who are younger than Beast in the movies...It really doesn't matter.

[Abaddon]

Marvel Woman?:huh:

[Savage]

Eh. Found it odd to say Marvel Girl and she wasn't Pheonix yet so Marvel Woman seemed right...Even if it already is taken.

[Abaddon]

In any case, the examples you used don't really work because well, there was nothing enjoyable about seeing Iceman and Angel as teens.

[Savage]

I know but it just goes to show that if you're going to relate the movies to the comics when it comes to things like cronology then good luck because chances are the timeline is all kinds of out of whack in the movies.

[kaijunexus]

http://www.comicscrew.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/06/cwfl_aa.jpg


http://z.about.com/d/movies/1/0/m/q/7/ksbn5b.jpg


This casting is godly.

[Isildur´s Heir]

Robert Downey Jr is, IMO, wrong for the part.
Not because of it´s age but because he doesn´t look the part, and i can´t really picture him in it.
Now, Robert Downey Jr is an amazing actor, and as an actor, i do believe that he will make an amazing job at it.

Robert Downey Jr is what Nicolas Cage was to Superman, totally wrong, but a great actor that will make a great job.

[blackbyrd]

Downey is wrong. Period. No one ever said Tony wasn't a couple of miles of bad road from all the drinking but he didn't start out in the comics as a drunk. That look is for the third movie, not the first. It is called eviolution of the character/s.

If you were going to pick a famous actor to play Tony as the age he should be who could also play suave, I would go with orlando Bloom. But in truth, I am a fan of going with a no name actor. For a few reasons:
You see the character not the actor
It is not a distraction
Most of the time, there is nothing for fanboys to complain of
It gives the actor at chance at stardom
It gives the actor a chance to age if they get someone young enough

All things being equal and knowing the character from long ago, Tony is no older than 30 when he builds the suit.

As for flashbacks. Generally, they don't work. Batman Begins was an exception.

[tamron]

If you were going to pick a famous actor to play Tony as the age he should be who could also play suave, I would go with orlando Bloom.

If the only two choices for this role were Downey and Bloom, I'd be fine with Downey.

[Hunter Rider]

Robert Downey Jr is, IMO, wrong for the part.
Not because of it´s age but because he doesn´t look the part, and i can´t really picture him in it.
Now, Robert Downey Jr is an amazing actor, and as an actor, i do believe that he will make an amazing job at it.

Robert Downey Jr is what Nicolas Cage was to Superman, totally wrong, but a great actor that will make a great job.

That's very well put,im giving it a chance but that is my initial reaction

As for Bloom,as a young Stark i think he would work

[Dr. Fate]

That's very well put,im giving it a chance but that is my initial reaction

As for Bloom,as a young Stark i think he would work
Wouldn't Bloom need to develop an American accent.

[PenanceStare]

I actually think Robby D will be better than most people will say.

[IronMan_2005]

If you were going to pick a famous actor to play Tony as the age he should be who could also play suave, I would go with orlando Bloom.

Orlando Bloom? please, RDJ is a far better and more accomplished actor than Bloom.

If it came down to those two, I too would pick RDJ over Bloom.

[Maniacbob]

RDJ is a great choice
If all the other choices are monkeys

Cmon you can find somebody better to play the part
He doesnt look anywhere close to Tony
I like the idea of having a middle aged Stark
But not RDJ
You slap a goatee on him and he will look like a complete idiot

I was looking forward to this movie
Until I read that its starring RDJ
I suddenly dont want to see this movie so much
GG Paramount

[thejon7]

Is it me or is the casting terrible? The actors are too old. I have been reading Iron Man comics since issue 150ish. It has been a long time. Given his history, he should be about 26 or so years old at the time that he becomes Iron Man with the suit.

His history goes like this (I have changed some elements in italics to change the Vietnam element to something more contemporary.)

Tony Stark enters the undergraduate engineering (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engineering) program at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT, the mascot is the Beavers) in Cambridge, MA while only 15 years old and graduates at the top of his class. At the age of 21, he inherits his father's company, Stark Industries, after his parents are killed in a car accident. One of the first things Stark does is to buy out the company that made the faulty brakes on his parent's car and correct the mechanical problem.
**Let’s say that he makes the changes to the brakes by age 22.
While on a visit to Iraq to see how his new mini-transistors (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transistor) could assist the American (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_of_America) war effort, Stark is caught in a booby trap. Captured by an Iraqiinsurgent named Omid Al-Abdullah, and dying from a piece of shrapnel (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shrapnel) lodged in his heart from the booby trap, Stark is pressed into building weapons for Omid Al-Abdullah, along with a fellow prisoner, the famed physicist Yin Sen (later called Ho Yinsen). However, Stark and Yin Sen use the workshop to secretly design and construct a suit of powered armor (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Powered_armor) — an iron exoskeleton (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exoskeleton) that gives Stark tremendous strength as well as other abilities — that will not only keep Stark's heart beating, but also allow him to escape. Yin Sen sacrifices himself to buy Stark time to charge the bulky suit of armor, and as Iron Man, Stark makes short work of Omid Al-Abdullah and his men. On the way back, Iron Man encounters a wounded American (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States)Air Force (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_force) helicopter pilot, Jim Rhodes (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_Machine).
**To be a pilot in the US military you have to be a Warrant Officer or Line officer which requires a college degree. So, let’s say Rhodes is 18 when he goes to college, graduates at 21 and gets commisioned in the Air Force by 22. Training can take a year or two to get enough flying hours in to see action. That would put him at 24. Judging from the comics Tony and Jim are roughly the same age so that would mean that if Tony when to Iraq at qge 22/23 he was held captive for a year or more. I highly doubt that he and Yin bult the suit in a few months starting from scratch, although it is possible given his intellect.
Introducing himself as Stark's bodyguard, Iron Man and Rhodes manage to defend themselves against the pursuing Iraqis before making it back to American lines. On his return to the US, Stark continues to improve the armor, establishing a dual identity as the adventurer and superhero Iron Man. He also greatly expands his father's company, Stark Industries, eventually renaming it Stark International.

**So, let’s say that the whole ordeal takes Tony 2 years from the time he was captured to the time he escaped and was sent home. He would be 25ish. Note that being a pilot requires a 6 year military commitment not the normal 4 year so that means Rhodes won’t get out of the USAF until he is 28. This would mean that the upgrades and expansion of the company take a couple of years.
The cover for Iron Man is that he is Stark's bodyguard (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bodyguard) and corporate mascot.

**So, it is not out of the realm to think that Tony is 28 before he hits full swing as Iron Man. Robert Downey, Jr. is 41. So, the movie would imply that he beomes a superhero at the young age of 41?! !@#$% It took him from age 21 when he got the company to 41 to make a suit. WTF?! Terrance Howard is 37. So he nearly spends an entire professional career in the USAF, in truth, in the comics, he was probably out by age 29.

Hollywood just screws everything up….


Check out his different armors.
http://www.ironmanarmory.com/armors.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_Man's_armor

The only one they left out was the Hulkbuster Armor
okay dude, first off: you dont even know how this film is gonna turn out, second: Robert Downey Jr. and Terrence Howard are both amazing actors! and i must say that this may be the best comic-book movie cast ever, not only because these 2 men were nominated at the Oscars but also because they are great actors! watch some of the films that they were in and you'll probally understand why these men we're picked 4 they're roles, and also... wasn't the director responsible 4 turning Will Ferrell into an elf in Elf? yes he was, so wat makes u think that he couldn't do the same with Robert Downey Jr. in turning him into the anti-hero Iron-Man? but i will say this... the crew should give Robert Downey Jr. contacts because his eyes r brown and Tony Stark's eyes r blue(look in a couple of posts above this 2 see wat i mean.

[Maniacbob]

Oh yay
A director whose only major project was Elf not exactly the most amazing movie ever, actually I hated it, and has done no other outstanding movies, nor is his list of directing projects that long either
Actors get Oscars when they are fit for a role
Having one doesnt suddenly make him perfect for every role
Or even an amazing actors
Some actors are brilliant at only a certain genre of movie
And to place them in another genre suddenly makes them very poor actors
Dont use their Oscar awards as reasons they'll be great
Dont mean a thing

[terry78]

Oh yay
A director whose only major project was Elf not exactly the most amazing movie ever, actually I hated it, and has done no other outstanding movies, nor is his list of directing projects that long either
Actors get Oscars when they are fit for a role
Having one doesnt suddenly make him perfect for every role
Or even an amazing actors
Some actors are brilliant at only a certain genre of movie
And to place them in another genre suddenly makes them very poor actors
Dont use their Oscar awards as reasons they'll be great
Dont mean a thing
What about his resume of film roles from the 1980's until present? You're saying he hasn't transformed himself into those characters, each more different than the next?

[Maniacbob]

Acting and Directing are completely different
Transforming yourself into a complex character and realizing the vision of a movie are not even similar
Ive tried them both being good at one doesnt automatically make you good at the other

[tamron]

Actors get Oscars when they are fit for a role
Having one doesnt suddenly make him perfect for every role
Or even an amazing actors
Some actors are brilliant at only a certain genre of movie
And to place them in another genre suddenly makes them very poor actors
Dont use their Oscar awards as reasons they'll be great
Dont mean a thing

QFT. I agree completely.

[Arkady Rossovich]

I also agree that this movie has bad actors,which is why i think it may be a failure.

[Mysterio]

Is it me or is the casting terrible?it's you.

[Lightning Strykez!]

I think it should prove to be inspired casting.

[Sagittarius1]

There will be people who don't like anyone who is cast, if Tom Cruise had been cast, then we would see threads about how short he is or how he looks nothing like Stark, you can't make everyone happy.
Personally, I like the choices of Robert and Terrence, both are talented actors who believe in the roles they were cast for, especially Robert so, as I've said from the moment Robert was cast, give him a chance.


...and also if Tom Cruise is casted as Tony Stark, i think we would be
watching a film more based on the hoopla hype of Tom Cruise
than it would an IRON MAN movie just as what happened with
War of the World, .IMO.

:trans:

[TheBeastWithin]

Robert Downey Jr.: Iron Man/Tony Stark - Oscar nominated, Golden Globe winner, Emmy nominated.

Terrence Howard: James "Rhodey" Rhodes - Oscar nominated, Golden Globe nominated.

Gwenyth Paltrow: Virginia "Pepper" Potts - Oscar winner, Golden Globe winner

Inspired casting. I can't wait to see them bring their comic book counterparts to life on the big screen.

[Octoberist]

I, for one, thinks that the casting is unique and compelling. Honestly.

[R_LaReaux]

First, I want to point out that Clark Gable was NOT the inspiration for Tony Stark, Errol Flynn was. Flynn was a flamboyant playboy known for his drinking, womanizing, brawling, and extravagent lifestyle. Indeed, he is the inspiration for the word "errolesque" and was buried with six bottles of fine Canadian whiskey.

That being said, I look at Errol Flynn as a model for whatever actor is picked to play Stark. I don't really agree with Downey Jr. as Iron Man since his looks and personality are vastly different, but I do support the decision over more mainstream names like Cruise.

On the subject of Rhodes, Michael Jai White would have been a better choice for a wide variety of obvious reasons which I'm not going to get into.

I'm also not really a great fan of Jon Favreau's work, and seeing his previous projects makes me kind of leery of the new franchise.

I've always liked Iron Man, and because of that and the lack of any real information about the direction of the movie I'll give them all the benefit of the doubt until I'm proven wrong.

[TimDrakeRobin45]

The thing I love about the casting of this film, is that these are names that would never have been attatched if we the fans cast the film. Tom Cruise has been thrown around in connection to Iron Man for far too long. Had this movie been made 10-15 years ago I would say Tom Selleck or Timothy Dalton. I agree about Tom Cruise, he would have been awful and it would have turned into the craptastic exploit that War of the Worlds was.

Robert Downey Jr, is an amazing actor with alot under his belt. He does not look as haggard or beat up as some make him out to look. His last few movies have been great, specifically "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang" and "The Singing Detective" Both were great movies. I have complete confidence in Downey to make this character great. Few thought that Keaton looked like Bruce Wayne, but he is still most peoples Favorite Bruce, not mine, but most.

Favs has had a short Directiorial carrier, but what does that matter? Elf was a huge success and that isn't even the type of movie he is normally in let alone directing. I have faith in Favs and that was only reinforced by his truley INSPIRED casting choices. The fact that he is casting real, serious, established actors tells me that he is serious about this movie and not just wanting to make a fun summer flick, but a Great Action packed Summer Blockbuster with acting worthy of a nomination as opposed to the usual effects.

I agree that just because they are nominated for or have won awards does not mean that they are worthy casting. Halley Barry is a crap actress and sucked hard as storm. Couldnt even do an damned accent. but she has an Academy award. I ask that you take the time to look at these actors past films, take the time to watch them and see their great preformances. Even then, wait till we see something of these actors in their roles. I have a feeling that this will be one of, if not the best comic book movie ever.

Marvel even says that they are more excited about Iron man than Spiderman 3.

[tamron]

Favs has had a short Directiorial carrier, but what does that matter?

What does it matter? It means worse case scenario: Favs isn't ready for a film of Iron Man's size and scope, and despite it the talent he's amassed, the film is a disaster.

I'm not saying that will happen, but I don't think you can so easily brush off his lack of experience when it comes to special effects-heavy blockbusters.

And interesting how you claim to agree with the point made earlier, but then seem to reverse it.

Berry has had great performances. Halle Berry she fit the role in Monster's Ball. She just didn't fit Storm. In the same way, Downey may have shined in other films, (no one is saying he's a bad actor people!!) but Robert Downey Jr. doesn't really fit Tony Stark. Robert could end up being a sqaure peg in a round hole. That is to say, a good performance by Downey, but not really capturing Tony Stark as we know him and love him from the comics.

And who really cares what Marvel says? They hype up every project in the pipeline.

[TimDrakeRobin45]

Im saying that just because he has had a short directiorial career does not mean it will be a disaster. Many new directors have suprised people with their first big budget film.

I personally feel that Berry has sucked in every role she has been in save for Monsters ball. she is inconsistant and got lucky in one film.

RDJ has been consistantly amazing in his roles. He has played multiple types of characters. action, comedy and drama, and been brilliant in all of them. Many actors have not seemed correct for their roles but later gone on to wo and amaze us. I just feel RDJ deserves the chance to do just that.
I think he has the ability to.

Marvel stated that they were more excited about Iron man, a Non established movie franchise, than Spiderman a very well established movie franchise. I just think that says something.

[Nebins]

I think Downey was a great choice. I didn't see it coming at all but now when I think about it it seems like a good choice.

[tamron]

Marvel stated that they were more excited about Iron man, a Non established movie franchise, than Spiderman a very well established movie franchise. I just think that says something.

It does say something. That as the cash cow that is the Spider-Man franchise could possibly be ending, Marvel's prepping a new one.

And of course they're more excited about this potential franchise, because if IM hits, Marvel gets the lion's share of the profits with it, unlike SM which has Sony taking a big chunk.

Marvel hyping IM up means nothing to me. They hyped up Man-Thing and Elektra, for god's sake.

[TimDrakeRobin45]

The Spiderman Franchise is not going to end, there will be a forth one.
There was barley any hype for man thing which aired on Sci Fi, no one expected it to be good.

[R_LaReaux]

Name a made for tv movie that has been hyped, especially one for Sci-fi.

[WeaponXProject]

Berry has had great performances. Halle Berry she fit the role in Monster's Ball. She just didn't fit Storm. In the same way, Downey may have shined in other films, (no one is saying he's a bad actor people!!) but Robert Downey Jr. doesn't really fit Tony Stark. Robert could end up being a sqaure peg in a round hole. That is to say, a good performance by Downey, but not really capturing Tony Stark as we know him and love him from the comics.

And who really cares what Marvel says? They hype up every project in the pipeline.


Dude, comparing Berry and Downey are off. First of all Storm was written into those movies terrible and the XMen movies are more Wolverine movies with some side characters who are one dimensional: Storm, Cyclops, Iceman....

Yet I do agree that Downey does not look particularly like Tony Stark, nor is he debonair enough, but he is accomplished and we'll have to wait and see.

But what about the rest of the cast....you can't be disappointed with them, are you?

[WeaponXProject]

Wouldn't Bloom need to develop an American accent.

No, my friend, Orlando Bloom needs to die a horrible death so I never have to see him play the same role that he plays in movies with his terrible accent and his annoying dirt stache. He was the reason Pirates 2 was boring. Whoever suggested him needs to watch his movies and not like him just bc the movies were enjoyable, a la Pirates and Lord of the Rings.

[CConn]

Orlando Bloom is one of those actors that can play a certain kind of role, but really can't do much else. I have watched him in LOTR, I have watched him in POTC, and he is, IMO at least, very good in them. Because both of his character's personalities are the kind of role he can play. But no, he couldn't do something like Iron Man, he shouldn't have done something like Kingdom of Heaven because he simply doesn't have enough range.

As for the casting, yeah, Downey's a bit old. Maybe I will scratch my head a bit at Iron Man's age in an origin film. But, at the same time, acting ability is, IMO, the absolute most important thing when casting a role. And Downey has plenty of ability. And he also exhibits enough of Iron Man's appearance and characteristics for it to work. It's not like Favreau cast Judi Dench or something. Downey is, at least, moderately like Iron Man. And with his acting ability, I think he's a great cast, and should turn in a great performance. Despite his age.

[Diamondhead]

Tony stark must be at least 38 and some!
And trust me I’ve probably more iron man comics than all of you put together
I’ve always think that a younger Tom Sellect (magnum PI) was the spitting image of Tony stark in the comic book!
But then again lately a lot of artist in the comics industries has been changing looks!

For example!
The sub mariner always looks to me like an Asian guy with a square head!
And the only white guy that looks like him would be a younger Leonard Nemoy (Mr. Spock in star trek)
It’s been a while lately that lots of marvel artists has been giving him a white guy look etc....

[tamron]

Dude, comparing Berry and Downey are off. First of all Storm was written into those movies terrible and the XMen movies are more Wolverine movies with some side characters who are one dimensional: Storm, Cyclops, Iceman....

Yet I do agree that Downey does not look particularly like Tony Stark, nor is he debonair enough, but he is accomplished and we'll have to wait and see.

I don't feel like these casting directors go get actors to then have them not play to their strengths.

As you implied, movie Storm wasn't written like comic Storm, and until I see something to make me think otherwise, the fact that Marvel cast Downey as Tony makes me think movie Tony isn't going to be like comic Tony, because comic Tony doesn't play to Downey's strengths. He's not classically attractive, he's not as suave and debonair, and he's older than I perceive comic Tony to to be (mid-30s). But, Downey is a good actor, and I believe he will deliver in his own way.

At this point, I feel Downey will be a square peg in a round hole; a good performance that doesn't truly fit.

But what about the rest of the cast....you can't be disappointed with them, are you?

I'm not to keen on Terrence Howard, I would've cast Morris Chestnut. But of course, that is based on comic Rhodey, whether film Rhodey will be anything like that, we will have to see. Paltrow is fine, however.

[WeaponXProject]

I don't feel like these casting directors go get actors to then have them not play to their strengths.

As you implied, movie Storm wasn't written like comic Storm, and until I see something to make me think otherwise, the fact that Marvel cast Downey as Tony makes me think movie Tony isn't going to be like comic Tony, because comic Tony doesn't play to Downey's strengths. He's not classically attractive, he's not as suave and debonair, and he's older than I perceive comic Tony to to be (mid-30s). But, Downey is a good actor, and I believe he will deliver in his own way.

At this point, I feel Downey will be a square peg in a round hole; a good performance that doesn't truly fit.



I'm not to keen on Terrence Howard, I would've cast Morris Chestnut. But of course, that is based on comic Rhodey, whether film Rhodey will be anything like that, we will have to see. Paltrow is fine, however.


Agreed on all but he might not be as attractive but Christ man he is very suave and a smooth talker. Blow in his nose or not he still has a charm to him, his acting and his charm keep him in Holywood.

[Dr. Fate]

While he wasn't my first or preferred choice, I have decided I will defend the casting of Downey as Iron Man, as it is always nice to have a real man playing a superhero instead of some pretty-boy nobody.

[L0ngsh0t]

Is it me or is the casting terrible? The actors are too old. I have been reading Iron Man comics since issue 150ish. It has been a long time. Given his history, he should be about 26 or so years old at the time that he becomes Iron Man with the suit.

His history goes like this (I have changed some elements in italics to change the Vietnam element to something more contemporary.)

Tony Stark enters the undergraduate engineering (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engineering) program at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT, the mascot is the Beavers) in Cambridge, MA while only 15 years old and graduates at the top of his class. At the age of 21, he inherits his father's company, Stark Industries, after his parents are killed in a car accident. One of the first things Stark does is to buy out the company that made the faulty brakes on his parent's car and correct the mechanical problem.
**Let’s say that he makes the changes to the brakes by age 22.
While on a visit to Iraq to see how his new mini-transistors (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transistor) could assist the American (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_of_America) war effort, Stark is caught in a booby trap. Captured by an Iraqiinsurgent named Omid Al-Abdullah, and dying from a piece of shrapnel (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shrapnel) lodged in his heart from the booby trap, Stark is pressed into building weapons for Omid Al-Abdullah, along with a fellow prisoner, the famed physicist Yin Sen (later called Ho Yinsen). However, Stark and Yin Sen use the workshop to secretly design and construct a suit of powered armor (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Powered_armor) — an iron exoskeleton (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exoskeleton) that gives Stark tremendous strength as well as other abilities — that will not only keep Stark's heart beating, but also allow him to escape. Yin Sen sacrifices himself to buy Stark time to charge the bulky suit of armor, and as Iron Man, Stark makes short work of Omid Al-Abdullah and his men. On the way back, Iron Man encounters a wounded American (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States)Air Force (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_force) helicopter pilot, Jim Rhodes (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_Machine).
**To be a pilot in the US military you have to be a Warrant Officer or Line officer which requires a college degree. So, let’s say Rhodes is 18 when he goes to college, graduates at 21 and gets commisioned in the Air Force by 22. Training can take a year or two to get enough flying hours in to see action. That would put him at 24. Judging from the comics Tony and Jim are roughly the same age so that would mean that if Tony when to Iraq at qge 22/23 he was held captive for a year or more. I highly doubt that he and Yin bult the suit in a few months starting from scratch, although it is possible given his intellect.
Introducing himself as Stark's bodyguard, Iron Man and Rhodes manage to defend themselves against the pursuing Iraqis before making it back to American lines. On his return to the US, Stark continues to improve the armor, establishing a dual identity as the adventurer and superhero Iron Man. He also greatly expands his father's company, Stark Industries, eventually renaming it Stark International.

**So, let’s say that the whole ordeal takes Tony 2 years from the time he was captured to the time he escaped and was sent home. He would be 25ish. Note that being a pilot requires a 6 year military commitment not the normal 4 year so that means Rhodes won’t get out of the USAF until he is 28. This would mean that the upgrades and expansion of the company take a couple of years.
The cover for Iron Man is that he is Stark's bodyguard (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bodyguard) and corporate mascot.

**So, it is not out of the realm to think that Tony is 28 before he hits full swing as Iron Man. Robert Downey, Jr. is 41. So, the movie would imply that he beomes a superhero at the young age of 41?! !@#$% It took him from age 21 when he got the company to 41 to make a suit. WTF?! Terrance Howard is 37. So he nearly spends an entire professional career in the USAF, in truth, in the comics, he was probably out by age 29.

Hollywood just screws everything up….


Check out his different armors.
http://www.ironmanarmory.com/armors.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_Man's_armor (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_Man%27s_armor)

The only one they left out was the Hulkbuster Armor


**** off, Iron Man is gunna rule all

[Sun_Down]

I like the casting of an older Iron Man. He's always seemed to be a little older than, say Cyclops or Spider-Man in the comics to me.

[Nivek]

http://www.superherohype.com/forums/member.php?u=15024

Is that Peter Steele:Gunslinger Goth warlord in your avatar? It's uncanny is it's not supposed to be him.

[Maniacbob]

What Im trying to say is not that we need some young nobody or some "pretty boy" as somebody put it
We need someone who fits the part
I dont think Downey can do it
If you all think he can fine
But when this movie bombs I will be the first to be here laughing
And if it doesnt then I will be here saying so
But I think there are much better candidates out there
No Im not gonna name any but they're out there
And they could have guarenteed improper acting and casting wouldnt have been the downfall of this movie

[Nokio]

Hollywood has been annoying me like Hell in the 90s by casting too young. I'm won't whine because they cast older people, actor that actualy can carry a movie. I always saw Tony Stark as this tough businessman, not as some young punk inventor whatever.


I agree. It's good to see Hollywood break away form that too young casting. I would've picked someone else for Stark, but Downy is a good actor, but he still doesn't fit Stark to me. Jim Caveziel would have been cool.

[Nokio]

Is it me or is the casting terrible? The actors are too old. I have been reading Iron Man comics since issue 150ish. It has been a long time. Given his history, he should be about 26 or so years old at the time that he becomes Iron Man with the suit.

His history goes like this (I have changed some elements in italics to change the Vietnam element to something more contemporary.)

Tony Stark enters the undergraduate engineering (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engineering) program at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT, the mascot is the Beavers) in Cambridge, MA while only 15 years old and graduates at the top of his class. At the age of 21, he inherits his father's company, Stark Industries, after his parents are killed in a car accident. One of the first things Stark does is to buy out the company that made the faulty brakes on his parent's car and correct the mechanical problem.
**Let’s say that he makes the changes to the brakes by age 22.
While on a visit to Iraq to see how his new mini-transistors (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transistor) could assist the American (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_of_America) war effort, Stark is caught in a booby trap. Captured by an Iraqiinsurgent named Omid Al-Abdullah, and dying from a piece of shrapnel (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shrapnel) lodged in his heart from the booby trap, Stark is pressed into building weapons for Omid Al-Abdullah, along with a fellow prisoner, the famed physicist Yin Sen (later called Ho Yinsen). However, Stark and Yin Sen use the workshop to secretly design and construct a suit of powered armor (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Powered_armor) — an iron exoskeleton (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exoskeleton) that gives Stark tremendous strength as well as other abilities — that will not only keep Stark's heart beating, but also allow him to escape. Yin Sen sacrifices himself to buy Stark time to charge the bulky suit of armor, and as Iron Man, Stark makes short work of Omid Al-Abdullah and his men. On the way back, Iron Man encounters a wounded American (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States)Air Force (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_force) helicopter pilot, Jim Rhodes (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_Machine).
**To be a pilot in the US military you have to be a Warrant Officer or Line officer which requires a college degree. So, let’s say Rhodes is 18 when he goes to college, graduates at 21 and gets commisioned in the Air Force by 22. Training can take a year or two to get enough flying hours in to see action. That would put him at 24. Judging from the comics Tony and Jim are roughly the same age so that would mean that if Tony when to Iraq at qge 22/23 he was held captive for a year or more. I highly doubt that he and Yin bult the suit in a few months starting from scratch, although it is possible given his intellect.
Introducing himself as Stark's bodyguard, Iron Man and Rhodes manage to defend themselves against the pursuing Iraqis before making it back to American lines. On his return to the US, Stark continues to improve the armor, establishing a dual identity as the adventurer and superhero Iron Man. He also greatly expands his father's company, Stark Industries, eventually renaming it Stark International.

**So, let’s say that the whole ordeal takes Tony 2 years from the time he was captured to the time he escaped and was sent home. He would be 25ish. Note that being a pilot requires a 6 year military commitment not the normal 4 year so that means Rhodes won’t get out of the USAF until he is 28. This would mean that the upgrades and expansion of the company take a couple of years.
The cover for Iron Man is that he is Stark's bodyguard (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bodyguard) and corporate mascot.

**So, it is not out of the realm to think that Tony is 28 before he hits full swing as Iron Man. Robert Downey, Jr. is 41. So, the movie would imply that he beomes a superhero at the young age of 41?! !@#$% It took him from age 21 when he got the company to 41 to make a suit. WTF?! Terrance Howard is 37. So he nearly spends an entire professional career in the USAF, in truth, in the comics, he was probably out by age 29.

Hollywood just screws everything up….


Check out his different armors.
http://www.ironmanarmory.com/armors.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_Man's_armor

The only one they left out was the Hulkbuster Armor

Your logic is flawed. How do you know these guys didn't have down time in between? How do you know that Stark , who's also known to be a playboy didn't live his life in the time frame that you've mapped out?
The guy probably was jet setting around the world and doing other things. He's rich for chrsit sake's so he probably spent time traveling the globe and other things. Just chill.

I'm not sold on Downy due to his age, but I'm not sold on him cause he doesn't fit Stark to me. Terrance Howard is fine. Paltrow is fine.

[the a1ant]

I think the casting for this film is interesting, and will add greatly to the film...having such talent behind it. I like the casting of older actors. I think it will be a more mature film. Since these are all three major A-list actors though, I hope they've already locked them in for possible sequels.

[blackbyrd]

All of these post prove one thing tome, most of you have not been reading the comics as long as I have or know these characters from the early 70's. Do your homework first. As for Michael Jai White, that is the best cast I have heard in nearly all of the comic movies. Rhody was not a pretty boy. He would punch you in your mouth without blinking an eye.

Actually, the original X-Men, Scott, Jean, Bobby, Hank, and Warren were all in high school when Chuck got to them. Bobby was the youngest of the five. So, If Scott, Jean are seniors, Bobby is a frosh. Spidey was 15 when he got bit. Tony was 21 when he got Stark due to his parents' death. He worked on stuff and made the armor at most 5 years later. Guy was after all a genius, who graduated MIT at 15. 5 years is a long time to make some armor. He was not in his mid-30's. Also, it is no secret that Errol Flynn was the model for stark, just like Stan Lee says that the model for Hulk was Frankenstein/JekyllnHyde.

You guys can't be serious?

PS, the new DVD was dogdoo. That makes me even more scared....

[\S/JcDc\S/]

Great casting :up:

[thegameq]

The thing I love about the casting of this film, is that these are names that would never have been attatched if we the fans cast the film. Tom Cruise has been thrown around in connection to Iron Man for far too long. Had this movie been made 10-15 years ago I would say Tom Selleck or Timothy Dalton. I agree about Tom Cruise, he would have been awful and it would have turned into the craptastic exploit that War of the Worlds was.

Robert Downey Jr, is an amazing actor with alot under his belt. He does not look as haggard or beat up as some make him out to look. His last few movies have been great, specifically "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang" and "The Singing Detective" Both were great movies. I have complete confidence in Downey to make this character great. Few thought that Keaton looked like Bruce Wayne, but he is still most peoples Favorite Bruce, not mine, but most.

Favs has had a short Directiorial carrier, but what does that matter? Elf was a huge success and that isn't even the type of movie he is normally in let alone directing. I have faith in Favs and that was only reinforced by his truley INSPIRED casting choices. The fact that he is casting real, serious, established actors tells me that he is serious about this movie and not just wanting to make a fun summer flick, but a Great Action packed Summer Blockbuster with acting worthy of a nomination as opposed to the usual effects.

I agree that just because they are nominated for or have won awards does not mean that they are worthy casting. Halley Barry is a crap actress and sucked hard as storm. Couldnt even do an damned accent. but she has an Academy award. I ask that you take the time to look at these actors past films, take the time to watch them and see their great preformances. Even then, wait till we see something of these actors in their roles. I have a feeling that this will be one of, if not the best comic book movie ever.

Marvel even says that they are more excited about Iron man than Spiderman 3.

When you put it that way, I smell the Batman Begins approach, which I am not a fan of. IM is comicbook fantasy, ala Supes and Spider-man. Granted I don't know how serious or realistic you could make a film about a man in a red and gold armored flying suit.

[Stripesy Strip]

First, I want to point out that Clark Gable was NOT the inspiration for Tony Stark, Errol Flynn was. Flynn was a flamboyant playboy known for his drinking, womanizing, brawling, and extravagent lifestyle. Indeed, he is the inspiration for the word "errolesque" and was buried with six bottles of fine Canadian whiskey.

That being said, I look at Errol Flynn as a model for whatever actor is picked to play Stark. I don't really agree with Downey Jr. as Iron Man since his looks and personality are vastly different, but I do support the decision over more mainstream names like Cruise.

On the subject of Rhodes, Michael Jai White would have been a better choice for a wide variety of obvious reasons which I'm not going to get into.

I'm also not really a great fan of Jon Favreau's work, and seeing his previous projects makes me kind of leery of the new franchise.

I've always liked Iron Man, and because of that and the lack of any real information about the direction of the movie I'll give them all the benefit of the doubt until I'm proven wrong.

Downey is a lot like Errol Flynn. He has that joie de vivre.

[R_LaReaux]

It isn't just Downey, it's a wide range of things that make me doubt the movie will be worth watching. I don't agree with any of the casting choices, however I'm not so shallow as to dismiss a potentially good movie because I don't like who's in it.

However, I've seen most of Favreau's work, and while a few of his films were good, they all leave something to be desired. When it comes to Iron Man I watch the interviews and listen to what he has to say and it saps the hope right out of me. The man never touched an Iron Man comic until he was approached, and I guarantee he didn't read the 40+ years of history. If anything he probably just read the more recent ones or listened to the word of mouth of fans.

Take a closer look at everything he's said and done with the project thus far. Here you have a relatively unknown director who instantly becomes the topic of mass discussion when attached to this franchise. The explosion of comic book movies, the award winning actors, and the basic direction he's already going in. Make no mistake, he's doing it to make a name for himself, subject matter be damned.

I have a really bad feeling about the movie, however I'm still going to watch it because I've waited decades to see one. Whatever the outcome, it will be interesting to see a childhood hero come to life at least once. I will say this for Jon, he keeps in touch with the fans. whether or not he listens remains to be seen.

[terry78]

^How much did Bryan Singer and Chris Nolan know about Batman, X-Men and Superman? The only directors that actually were fans of their material were MSJ, Raimi, and Tim Story has openly said he's been reading since he was younger.

[R_LaReaux]

Did you have a point to that? X-Men and Superman outright sucked, and Batman Returns wasn't a far cry from the first two, which is what the fans have been *****ing that they wanted for fifteen years. After the failures of Forever and Robin, it was only common sense to go back to what works.

While Batman Begins was definitely one of the better movies of the genre, all three of the films lack the feel of the comics. In my opinion, other then the haphazard use of characters which didn't matter since they only focused on Wolverine, the X-Men movies were X-Men in name only.

Compare the three to movies made by fans such as Hellboy, V for Vendetta, and Sin City. Ok, the last one was made by Frank Miller, but still had the feel of the comic it was based off of. They all did, and none of them had big names in easily recognizable roles.

[dark_b]

^How much did Bryan Singer and Chris Nolan know about Batman, X-Men and Superman? The only directors that actually were fans of their material were MSJ, Raimi, and Tim Story has openly said he's been reading since he was younger.:huh:

[terry78]

^Well, Batman is a moot point since any director alive knows who he is.

[Supreme Power]

Did you have a point to that? X-Men and Superman outright sucked, and Batman Returns wasn't a far cry from the first two, which is what the fans have been *****ing that they wanted for fifteen years. After the failures of Forever and Robin, it was only common sense to go back to what works.

While Batman Begins was definitely one of the better movies of the genre, all three of the films lack the feel of the comics. In my opinion, other then the haphazard use of characters which didn't matter since they only focused on Wolverine, the X-Men movies were X-Men in name only.

Compare the three to movies made by fans such as Hellboy, V for Vendetta, and Sin City. Ok, the last one was made by Frank Miller, but still had the feel of the comic it was based off of. They all did, and none of them had big names in easily recognizable roles.

All that you spouted is YOUR opinion. :o

[R_LaReaux]

Yeah, I think that's where the phrase "in my opinion" comes into play. However, it could be argued that thus far the popular consensus points out that the three movies in question didn't live up to the expectations of fans. I've heard a lot more negative things about said movies then I have positive. If you wish to argue the case you go right on ahead, but I'm not going to.

[dr.strange]

no offense ,but when did robert downey win an oscar?

[R_LaReaux]

Who knows. I believe they use them as door prizes nowadays anyways.

[chiefchirpa]

Good casting for 1-2 movie, but bad casting for a Trilogy. I don't think Favreau seriously consider Aging as a factor for the casts.

I too like Tony Stark to be acted by a late 20 something or at least early 30 something. But Downey is a good choice because of his acting skill (though he doesn't look like Stark BTW; goatees can be made to any actors), but I think his appearance would be a detriment to the sequel.

BTW, who do I think as a perfect Stark? Someone who looks like Chris Bale, rugged yet angular handsome face with tall stature.