Is Robert Downey Jr. a good choice?

[AnimeJune]

Originally Posted by Kilva

Very bad cast, I don't like Robert Downey Jr... I don't pay money in a cinema to see this poor actor... Tony Stark can't be played for this actor... he don't have the necessary glamour to be a multmillionarie playboy..... is this election a way to make the movie more cheap? Sure that a lot of young and unknow actors can make a great job....

As you can see i'm very angry.....

Yikes - so angry you forgot to speak English.

GrammarBatGirl Translation: "Verily, this cast has a high quotient of suckage. I am not a fan of Robert Downey Jr, and would never deign to part with my hard-earned coin in order to watch his consistently poor performances. The character of Tony Stark is not a good fit for this actor at all. Is the choice of this actor a ploy to lower the expenses of the production? I'm sure there are lot of young unknowns who would be more than willing to participate for a tenth of Downey Jr's asking price."

There. That was easy. Promote literacy on the Hype, y'all.

[ChrisBaleBatman]

I dunno.......I think I expected someone younger. And, someone unknown. Downy Jr. is pretty well known. I dunno....I'll give him a chance. But, that first pic of him as Tony will be very very very important to sell me on him.

[kedrell]

^Fair enough.

Originally Posted by AnimeJune

Yikes - so angry you forgot to speak English.

GrammarBatGirl Translation: "Verily, this cast has a high quotient of suckage. I am not a fan of Robert Downey Jr, and would never deign to part with my hard-earned coin in order to watch his consistently poor performances. The character of Tony Stark is not a good fit for this actor at all. Is the choice of this actor a ploy to lower the expenses of the production? I'm sure there are lot of young unknowns who would be more than willing to participate for a tenth of Downey Jr's asking price."

There. That was easy. Promote literacy on the Hype, y'all.

I posted a message in "rejected designs" thread, maybe you want "translate" this one

[C. Lee]

Originally Posted by Kilva

Very bad cast, I don't like Robert Downey Jr... I don't pay money in a cinema to see this poor actor...

What if they surround him with many other excellent actors...ala Batman Begins?

[terry78]

Anyone with this type of resume, you should be chomping at the bit to cast as your troubled superhero.

# Iron Man (2008) (pre-production) .... Tony Stark/Iron Man
# Charlie Bartlett (2007) (filming) (attached) .... School principal
# Zodiac (2007) (completed) .... Paul Avery
# Lucky You (2006) (completed)

# A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints (2006) .... Dito
# Fur: An Imaginary Portrait of Diane Arbus (2006) .... Lionel
# A Scanner Darkly (2006) .... James Barris
# The Shaggy Dog (2006) .... Dr. Kozak
# "Family Guy"
... aka Padre de familia (USA: Spanish title)
- Fat Guy Strangler (2005) TV Episode (voice) .... Patrick
# Good Night, and Good Luck. (2005) .... Joe Wershba
# Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005) .... Harry Lockhart
# Game 6 (2005) .... Steven Schwimmer
# Eros (2004) .... Nick Penrose (segment "Equilibrium")
# Gothika (2003) .... Pete Graham
# The Singing Detective (2003) .... Dan Dark
# Whatever We Do (2003) .... Bobby
# "Ally McBeal" .... Larry Paul (2000-2001)
- Heart and Soul (2002) TV Episode (uncredited) .... Larry Paul
- The Wedding (2001) TV Episode .... Larry Paul
- Home Again (2001) TV Episode .... Larry Paul
- Queen Bee (2001) TV Episode .... Larry Paul
- Cloudy Skies, Chance of Parade (2001) TV Episode .... Larry Paul
(9 more)
# Lethargy (2002) .... Animal Therapist
# Auto Motives (2000) .... Rob
# Wonder Boys (2000) .... Terry Crabtree
... aka Wonder Boys, Die (Germany)
... aka Wonderboys - Lauter Wunderknaben (Germany: TV title)

# Black and White (1999/I) .... Terry Donager
# Bowfinger (1999) .... Jerry Renfro
# Friends & Lovers (1999) .... Hans
... aka Friends and Lovers (Philippines: English title)
# In Dreams (1999) .... Vivian Thompson
# U.S. Marshals (1998) .... Special Agent John Royce
# The Gingerbread Man (1998) .... Clyde Pell
# Hugo Pool (1997) .... Franz Mazur
... aka Pool Girl (UK: DVD title)
# Two Girls and a Guy (1997) .... Blake Allen
# One Night Stand (1997) .... Charlie
# Danger Zone (1997) .... Jim Scott
# Restoration (1995) .... Robert Merivel
# Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree (1995) (TV) .... Mr. Willowby
# Home for the Holidays (1995) .... Tommy Larson
# Richard III (1995) .... Lord Rivers
# Only You (1994) .... Peter Wright, alias Damon Bradley
... aka Him
... aka Just in Time
# Natural Born Killers (1994) .... Wayne Gale
# Hail Caesar (1994) .... Jerry
# Short Cuts (1993) .... Bill Bush
# Heart and Souls (1993) .... Thomas Reilly
# Chaplin (1992) .... Charles Spencer 'Charlie' Chaplin
... aka Charlot (Italy)
# Soapdish (1991) .... David Seton Barnes
# Too Much Sun (1991) .... Reed Richmond
# Air America (1990) .... Billy Covington

# Chances Are (1989) .... Alex Finch
# True Believer (1989) .... Roger Baron
... aka Fighting Justice (Philippines: English title)
# That's Adequate (1989) .... Albert Einstein
# 1969 (1988) .... Ralph Carr
# Rented Lips (1988) .... Wolf Dangler
# Johnny Be Good (1988) .... Leo Wiggins
# Less Than Zero (1987) .... Julian Wells
# The Pick-up Artist (1987) (as Robert Downey) .... Jack Jericho
# America (1986) .... Paulie Hackley
... aka Moonbeam
# Back to School (1986) .... Derek
# "Saturday Night Live" (as Robert Downey) .... Various (1985-1986)
... aka SNL (USA: informal title)
... aka SNL 25 (USA)
- Episode #11.18 (1986) TV Episode (as Robert Downey) .... Various
- Episode #11.1 (1985) TV Episode (as Robert Downey) .... Various
# "Mussolini: The Untold Story" (1985) (mini) TV Series .... Bruno Mussolini
# Weird Science (1985) (as Robert Downey) .... Ian
# Tuff Turf (1985) (as Robert Downey) .... Jimmy Parker
# Deadwait (1985)
# Firstborn (1984) .... Lee
... aka First Born
... aka Moving In (Europe: English title: video title)
# Baby It's You (1983) .... Stewart
# Up the Academy (1980) (uncredited)
... aka Mad Magazine Presents Up the Academy
... aka Mad Magazine's Up the Academy
... aka The Brave Young Men of Weinberg

# Moment to Moment (1975) .... Uncredited
# Greaser's Palace (1972) (uncredited)
# Pound (1970) (as Bob Downey) .... Puppy

[charl_huntress]

I had to go with it's too early to tell. I mean...I just don't know what to say.

He seems like an odd choice, but then from what little I know he's the perfect choice.

Hmmm....should be interesting.

[LEX]

I'm actually flabbergasted by the choice of actor. Frankly, I'm neither very happy nor very angry. I trust in Favreau to make the best Iron Man movie possible, even if it means him doing the unexpected. I don't think Downey has the right physiques for the role, BUT I'm not too worried about that, considering. You should never underestimate the capability of Hollywood magic. He certainly has the acting chops, a reputation and an unique attraction. Nevertheless, however good at acting or attractive Downey may be, I DO worry that he might not be able to pull off the Stark playboy charm. I suppose it's too early to tell.

[Mysterio]

Originally Posted by C. Lee

There aren't too many alcoholic billionaire industrialist weapons engineers in their early 20's either.

While most comic characters start their careers as teenagers....Stark didn't.

When he started out as Iron Man, he wasn't an alcoholic, and he was in his 20s.

[Mysterio]

Originally Posted by C. Lee

hardly what you think of as someone in their 20's or 30's...

yeah, that doesn't work at all for Bruce Wayne/Batman.

[AnimeJune]

Yes, Terry78!

Dude was the best part of The Shaggy Dog. And Heart and Soul.

[TheBeastWithin]

Absolutely brilliant casting.

[HighVoltage]

Originally Posted by WTFimVENOM

There...

Brilliant.

[Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by WTFimVENOM

There...

LOL......freakin hilarious! Superhuman registration act huh? Man....Marvel must be desperate for sales...

[Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by terry78

Anyone with this type of resume, you should be chomping at the bit to cast as your troubled superhero.

# Iron Man (2008) (pre-production) .... Tony Stark/Iron Man
# Charlie Bartlett (2007) (filming) (attached) .... School principal
# Zodiac (2007) (completed) .... Paul Avery
# Lucky You (2006) (completed)

# A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints (2006) .... Dito
# Fur: An Imaginary Portrait of Diane Arbus (2006) .... Lionel
# A Scanner Darkly (2006) .... James Barris
# The Shaggy Dog (2006) .... Dr. Kozak
# "Family Guy"
... aka Padre de familia (USA: Spanish title)
- Fat Guy Strangler (2005) TV Episode (voice) .... Patrick
# Good Night, and Good Luck. (2005) .... Joe Wershba
# Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005) .... Harry Lockhart
# Game 6 (2005) .... Steven Schwimmer
# Eros (2004) .... Nick Penrose (segment "Equilibrium")
# Gothika (2003) .... Pete Graham
# The Singing Detective (2003) .... Dan Dark
# Whatever We Do (2003) .... Bobby
# "Ally McBeal" .... Larry Paul (2000-2001)
- Heart and Soul (2002) TV Episode (uncredited) .... Larry Paul
- The Wedding (2001) TV Episode .... Larry Paul
- Home Again (2001) TV Episode .... Larry Paul
- Queen Bee (2001) TV Episode .... Larry Paul
- Cloudy Skies, Chance of Parade (2001) TV Episode .... Larry Paul
(9 more)
# Lethargy (2002) .... Animal Therapist
# Auto Motives (2000) .... Rob
# Wonder Boys (2000) .... Terry Crabtree
... aka Wonder Boys, Die (Germany)
... aka Wonderboys - Lauter Wunderknaben (Germany: TV title)

# Black and White (1999/I) .... Terry Donager
# Bowfinger (1999) .... Jerry Renfro
# Friends & Lovers (1999) .... Hans
... aka Friends and Lovers (Philippines: English title)
# In Dreams (1999) .... Vivian Thompson
# U.S. Marshals (1998) .... Special Agent John Royce
# The Gingerbread Man (1998) .... Clyde Pell
# Hugo Pool (1997) .... Franz Mazur
... aka Pool Girl (UK: DVD title)
# Two Girls and a Guy (1997) .... Blake Allen
# One Night Stand (1997) .... Charlie
# Danger Zone (1997) .... Jim Scott
# Restoration (1995) .... Robert Merivel
# Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree (1995) (TV) .... Mr. Willowby
# Home for the Holidays (1995) .... Tommy Larson
# Richard III (1995) .... Lord Rivers
# Only You (1994) .... Peter Wright, alias Damon Bradley
... aka Him
... aka Just in Time
# Natural Born Killers (1994) .... Wayne Gale
# Hail Caesar (1994) .... Jerry
# Short Cuts (1993) .... Bill Bush
# Heart and Souls (1993) .... Thomas Reilly
# Chaplin (1992) .... Charles Spencer 'Charlie' Chaplin
... aka Charlot (Italy)
# Soapdish (1991) .... David Seton Barnes
# Too Much Sun (1991) .... Reed Richmond
# Air America (1990) .... Billy Covington

# Chances Are (1989) .... Alex Finch
# True Believer (1989) .... Roger Baron
... aka Fighting Justice (Philippines: English title)
# That's Adequate (1989) .... Albert Einstein
# 1969 (1988) .... Ralph Carr
# Rented Lips (1988) .... Wolf Dangler
# Johnny Be Good (1988) .... Leo Wiggins
# Less Than Zero (1987) .... Julian Wells
# The Pick-up Artist (1987) (as Robert Downey) .... Jack Jericho
# America (1986) .... Paulie Hackley
... aka Moonbeam
# Back to School (1986) .... Derek
# "Saturday Night Live" (as Robert Downey) .... Various (1985-1986)
... aka SNL (USA: informal title)
... aka SNL 25 (USA)
- Episode #11.18 (1986) TV Episode (as Robert Downey) .... Various
- Episode #11.1 (1985) TV Episode (as Robert Downey) .... Various
# "Mussolini: The Untold Story" (1985) (mini) TV Series .... Bruno Mussolini
# Weird Science (1985) (as Robert Downey) .... Ian
# Tuff Turf (1985) (as Robert Downey) .... Jimmy Parker
# Deadwait (1985)
# Firstborn (1984) .... Lee
... aka First Born
... aka Moving In (Europe: English title: video title)
# Baby It's You (1983) .... Stewart
# Up the Academy (1980) (uncredited)
... aka Mad Magazine Presents Up the Academy
... aka Mad Magazine's Up the Academy
... aka The Brave Young Men of Weinberg

# Moment to Moment (1975) .... Uncredited
# Greaser's Palace (1972) (uncredited)
# Pound (1970) (as Bob Downey) .... Puppy

"But....but....he is not an unknown???" LOL....sheesh....

[Dark Knight]

Downey Jr....the cocaine addict in a superhero role??

Risky...

[RedIsNotBlue]

Originally Posted by Dark Knight

Downey Jr....the cocaine addict in a superhero role??

Risky...

Yeah I mean it has seriously affected his recent movies.

[Danger Mouse]

Originally Posted by Dark Knight

Downey Jr....the cocaine addict in a superhero role??

Risky...

Downey Jr....the cocaine addict in an alcoholic superhero role??

Perfect...

[kedrell]

Originally Posted by Dark Knight

"But....but....he is not an unknown???" LOL....sheesh....

I don't believe they were ever going for an unknown, just someone who isn't in the limelight. Maguire did plenty of flicks before Spiderman, he wasn't unknown.....just low profile same as Bale. Jackman, Bana & Routh were true unknowns at least in America.

[Kirk Langstrom]

Originally Posted by Mysterio

When he started out as Iron Man, he wasn't an alcoholic, and he was in his 20s.

I don't recall his age being established in any of the comics, but he certainly wasn't drawn like someone "in his 20s"....

Can you quote an issue to support your statement?

[James"007"Bond]

Originally Posted by Dark Knight

Downey Jr....the cocaine addict in a superhero role??

Risky...

why?

[AnimeJune]

Originally Posted by Dark Knight

Downey Jr....the cocaine addict in a superhero role??

Risky...

You'd think so, right - but he hasn't had a bust in years, and has instead made a bunch of good recent movies.

How many excellent movies will he have to make before people forget the mistakes he made in the past?

Besides, with movie productions, don't some cast members have to take drug tests for insurance purposes?

[That-Guy]

This casting FLOORED me when I read about it. I thought for sure that the Heath Ledger/Joker casting was going to be the weirdest casting announcement I heard all year, but this one tops that by far. And I'm not saying that either of these actors can't pull off the respected characters, but simply that I never would have thought of them for either role, nor did I know they were in the running at all.

But Downey, Jr. is a great actor... as long as he stays of the coke (and I think he actually has STAYED clean for a while now, or at least I hope so) I think he could do really well with this role. He doesn't really look like the traditional Tony Stark, who tends to look more like a young Stacy Keach-type, but the look of Iron Man, like Batman and Spider-Man, is more about how the mask looks. As for the person underneath it, as long as its a good actor, then it should probably work. I've never seen Robert in an action hero-type role, really, so this could really prove interesting.

I'm not crazy about the idea.... well i hope they stick to a comic style armor unlike the horrible X-men movie costumes

[terry78]

Originally Posted by Gundamzeppelin

I'm not crazy about the idea.... well i hope they stick to a comic style armor unlike the horrible X-men movie costumes

Aside from the Spider-Man costume, this is the only one you really can't mess up. There is no room for liberties, as it would detract way too much.