Loading video...

Video Failed to Load

There was a problem loading this video. This could be due to a temporary network issue or the video might be unavailable.

Before Iron Man (2008), Marvel Studios was nearly bankrupt. Robert Downey Jr. was considered “uninsurable” by studios. Jon Favreau fought the studio to cast him anyway because Tony Stark’s flaws mirrored RDJ’s real life. Iron Man didn’t make RDJ iconic. RDJ made Iron Man impossible to replace.

Every Movie Plug

2,308,847 subscribers

159,821 views • 6 months ago •via X (Twitter)

Arts Science & Technology

Anya Rossi• Live Now

Private livecam show

0 Comments

No comments available

Comments from the original post will appear here

Related Videos

Robert Downey Jr. considered this role his "calling card" to playing Tony Stark/Iron Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. While preparing to make Iron Man (2008), Downey Jr.'s performance inspired director Jon Favreau to cast him in the title role.

Robert Downey Jr. considered this role his "calling card" to playing Tony Stark/Iron Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. While preparing to make Iron Man (2008), Downey Jr.'s performance inspired director Jon Favreau to cast him in the title role.

Emir Han

226,490 views • 8 months ago

Marvel Studios explicitly told director Jon Favreau that under no circumstances were they prepared to hire Robert Downey Jr. for Iron Man. Favreau fought back, arguing that RDJ's troubled past made him the only actor capable of understanding Tony Stark.

Marvel Studios explicitly told director Jon Favreau that under no circumstances were they prepared to hire Robert Downey Jr. for Iron Man. Favreau fought back, arguing that RDJ's troubled past made him the only actor capable of understanding Tony Stark.

Best Movie Moments 🍿

1,820,536 views • 7 months ago

Marvel Studios explicitly told Jon Favreau that under no circumstance they would hire Robert Downey Jr. for Iron Man. Favreau fought back: “We won’t go with safe choice. Best and worst moments of Robert’s life have been in public eye” “That’s Tony Stark”

Marvel Studios explicitly told Jon Favreau that under no circumstance they would hire Robert Downey Jr. for Iron Man. Favreau fought back: “We won’t go with safe choice. Best and worst moments of Robert’s life have been in public eye” “That’s Tony Stark”

Emir Han

840,152 views • 6 months ago

Marvel told Jon Favreau under no circumstances would they cast Robert Downey Jr in Iron Man (2008), and Favreau pushed back with one line: "The best and worst moments of his life have been public. That is Tony Stark."

Marvel told Jon Favreau under no circumstances would they cast Robert Downey Jr in Iron Man (2008), and Favreau pushed back with one line: "The best and worst moments of his life have been public. That is Tony Stark."

Best Movie Moments 🍿

575,311 views • 2 months ago

Robert Downey Jr. is 61 as of today & I’ve found myself revisiting both Iron Man 1 & Iron Man 2. Jon Favreau & RDJ are an outstanding partnership, they definitely have a great chemistry together that I hope is rekindled. I might need to revisit Shane Black’s Iron Man 3 now 🎂.

Robert Downey Jr. is 61 as of today & I’ve found myself revisiting both Iron Man 1 & Iron Man 2. Jon Favreau & RDJ are an outstanding partnership, they definitely have a great chemistry together that I hope is rekindled. I might need to revisit Shane Black’s Iron Man 3 now 🎂.

Cinema Tweets

18,413 views • 4 months ago

IRON MAN (2008) was a huge gamble: a relatively obscure Marvel hero, Robert Downey Jr. trying to rebuild his career, and Jon Favreau coming off ELF. Then they made the movie so good it became the foundation for the entire MCU.

IRON MAN (2008) was a huge gamble: a relatively obscure Marvel hero, Robert Downey Jr. trying to rebuild his career, and Jon Favreau coming off ELF. Then they made the movie so good it became the foundation for the entire MCU.

cinesthetic.

23,612 views • 3 days ago

IRON MAN was released 18 years ago today. Kevin Feige said Tony Stark’s “I am Iron Man” reveal changed the direction of the MCU, with Robert Downey Jr. improvising the line during filming & pushing Marvel away from the traditional secret identity formula.

IRON MAN was released 18 years ago today. Kevin Feige said Tony Stark’s “I am Iron Man” reveal changed the direction of the MCU, with Robert Downey Jr. improvising the line during filming & pushing Marvel away from the traditional secret identity formula.

cinesthetic.

42,668 views • 3 months ago

Robert Downey Jr. and Gwyneth Paltrow in Iron Man (2008) Their chemistry feels effortless because they give off the sense of genuinely enjoy sparring. Also chest device scene wasn’t CGI. Real life-cast prosthetic of Robert Downey Jr.’s torso was used.

Robert Downey Jr. and Gwyneth Paltrow in Iron Man (2008) Their chemistry feels effortless because they give off the sense of genuinely enjoy sparring. Also chest device scene wasn’t CGI. Real life-cast prosthetic of Robert Downey Jr.’s torso was used.

Emir Han

19,397 views • 6 months ago

Marvel reportedly wanted anyone but Robert Downey Jr. for IRON MAN (2008). Jon Favreau’s response: “The best and worst moments of his life have been public. That is Tony Stark.” One sentence. One perfect casting argument.

Marvel reportedly wanted anyone but Robert Downey Jr. for IRON MAN (2008). Jon Favreau’s response: “The best and worst moments of his life have been public. That is Tony Stark.” One sentence. One perfect casting argument.

cinesthetic.

353,368 views • 1 month ago

Robert Downey Jr. says this movie is why he became Iron Man. On Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005), he’s said it’s “one of the best movies I’ve ever made” — when his career was hanging by a thread. Jon Favreau saw his life witty and vulnerable just like Tony.

Robert Downey Jr. says this movie is why he became Iron Man. On Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005), he’s said it’s “one of the best movies I’ve ever made” — when his career was hanging by a thread. Jon Favreau saw his life witty and vulnerable just like Tony.

Movies Scenes 🎫

425,911 views • 7 months ago

The connection between Elon Musk and Tony Stark is a piece of a Hollywood history. When Director Jon Favreau and Robert Downey Jr. were building the live-action of Tony Stark for the 2008 Iron Man movie, they ran into a problem: the comic book version was a classic Cold War industrialist. To make him feel fresh and modern, they needed a real-life blueprint. RDJ personally requested a meeting with Elon Musk. He spent time with him at the SpaceX facility in California to observe how a contemporary tech billionaire actually speaks, moves, and handles his workspace. RDJ noticed that Musk didn’t act like a traditional, rigid corporate CEO; he had an eccentric, hyper-focused energy and worked right alongside his engineers in the shop. Elon Musk made a brief cameo appearance as himself in Iron Man 2.

The connection between Elon Musk and Tony Stark is a piece of a Hollywood history. When Director Jon Favreau and Robert Downey Jr. were building the live-action of Tony Stark for the 2008 Iron Man movie, they ran into a problem: the comic book version was a classic Cold War industrialist. To make him feel fresh and modern, they needed a real-life blueprint. RDJ personally requested a meeting with Elon Musk. He spent time with him at the SpaceX facility in California to observe how a contemporary tech billionaire actually speaks, moves, and handles his workspace. RDJ noticed that Musk didn’t act like a traditional, rigid corporate CEO; he had an eccentric, hyper-focused energy and worked right alongside his engineers in the shop. Elon Musk made a brief cameo appearance as himself in Iron Man 2.

Every Movie Plug

79,989 views • 1 month ago

Robert Downey Jr. reveals how close Iron Man was to being overlooked before it changed Hollywood forever. “It was God’s will and a pretty good screen test. But honestly, Jon Favreau and I were both hungry to do something that would make an impact. When Iron Man came out, everyone told me, ‘This will do until The Dark Knight comes out.’ And here we are now.”

Robert Downey Jr. reveals how close Iron Man was to being overlooked before it changed Hollywood forever. “It was God’s will and a pretty good screen test. But honestly, Jon Favreau and I were both hungry to do something that would make an impact. When Iron Man came out, everyone told me, ‘This will do until The Dark Knight comes out.’ And here we are now.”

Tokyo

618,708 views • 29 days ago

In Iron Man (2008) Robert Downey Jr. wore sunglasses during this speech to hide that he was reading from cue cards since much of the film was improvised.

In Iron Man (2008) Robert Downey Jr. wore sunglasses during this speech to hide that he was reading from cue cards since much of the film was improvised.

Emir Han

603,911 views • 1 year ago

Christopher Nolan says casting Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man was one of the greatest casting decisions in movie history. “When Jon Favreau had the insight to cast him as Iron Man, it was one of the greatest casting decisions in the history of movies.” “You look at what that did and where that went with everything.” “Jon just knew what an incredible actor and what incredible potential there was in Downey.” “And then the movie star charisma that wonderful charisma comes into play.”

Christopher Nolan says casting Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man was one of the greatest casting decisions in movie history. “When Jon Favreau had the insight to cast him as Iron Man, it was one of the greatest casting decisions in the history of movies.” “You look at what that did and where that went with everything.” “Jon just knew what an incredible actor and what incredible potential there was in Downey.” “And then the movie star charisma that wonderful charisma comes into play.”

Tokyo

80,564 views • 10 days ago

Kevin Feige said one moment that influenced future Marvel films came in ‘Iron Man’ (2008) when Tony Stark improvised the line, “I am Iron Man”, which was also unscripted in real life, Feige points to this as a ripple effect on secret identities in the MCU

Kevin Feige said one moment that influenced future Marvel films came in ‘Iron Man’ (2008) when Tony Stark improvised the line, “I am Iron Man”, which was also unscripted in real life, Feige points to this as a ripple effect on secret identities in the MCU

Marvel Facts

56,560 views • 5 months ago

Christopher Nolan says casting Robert Downey Jr as Iron Man is ‘one of the greatest decisions in history of movies’ “You look at what that did and where that went with everything. That was Jon Favreau knowing what incredible potential it was from Downey.”

Christopher Nolan says casting Robert Downey Jr as Iron Man is ‘one of the greatest decisions in history of movies’ “You look at what that did and where that went with everything. That was Jon Favreau knowing what incredible potential it was from Downey.”

Emir Han

879,056 views • 10 months ago

Director Jon Favreau said Marvel studios initially had concerns about casting Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark, despite recognizing his talent. But Favreau said the doubts disappeared the moment Downey stepped on set, calling it clear he was “locked in” to the role that would help define the Marvel era.

Director Jon Favreau said Marvel studios initially had concerns about casting Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark, despite recognizing his talent. But Favreau said the doubts disappeared the moment Downey stepped on set, calling it clear he was “locked in” to the role that would help define the Marvel era.

CBS Sunday Morning 🌞

13,892 views • 2 months ago

Marvel paid Robert Downey Jr. $500,000 for Iron Man (2008), but CEO Ike Perlmutter later tried to cut him from Captain America Civil War (2016) to save $40M, even though it made $1.15B, a move that nearly made Kevin Feige quit until Bob Iger stepped in and removed Ike’s control.

Marvel paid Robert Downey Jr. $500,000 for Iron Man (2008), but CEO Ike Perlmutter later tried to cut him from Captain America Civil War (2016) to save $40M, even though it made $1.15B, a move that nearly made Kevin Feige quit until Bob Iger stepped in and removed Ike’s control.

Movie Moments Analyst

2,335,817 views • 3 months ago

Rare footage — Robert Downey Jr.’s original Iron Man audition. Marvel didn’t want him at first. Christopher Nolan later said casting him was “one of the greatest decisions in the history of movies.” He proved everyone wrong — and changed cinema forever.

Rare footage — Robert Downey Jr.’s original Iron Man audition. Marvel didn’t want him at first. Christopher Nolan later said casting him was “one of the greatest decisions in the history of movies.” He proved everyone wrong — and changed cinema forever.

Movies Scenes 🎫

343,343 views • 8 months ago

i was just reminded of how in TV Asahi's dub of Iron Man, Tony is subbed by Shuichi Ikeda (which add a whole new meaning to him requesting for the Iron Man suit to be red)

i was just reminded of how in TV Asahi's dub of Iron Man, Tony is subbed by Shuichi Ikeda (which add a whole new meaning to him requesting for the Iron Man suit to be red)

maxx

87,846 views • 2 months ago