Iron Man Terrible Casting- Iron Man

[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.

 

[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 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 could assist the American war effort, Stark is caught in a booby trap. Captured by an Iraqiinsurgent named Omid Al-Abdullah, and dying from a piece of 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 — an iron 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 AmericanAir Force helicopter pilot, Jim Rhodes.
**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 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

**** 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]

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 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 could assist the American war effort, Stark is caught in a booby trap. Captured by an Iraqiinsurgent named Omid Al-Abdullah, and dying from a piece of 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 — an iron 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 AmericanAir Force helicopter pilot, Jim Rhodes.
**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 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.