“They let the lunatics run the asylum”: Robert Downey Jr’s Wild Claim Proves Why Iron Man 1 Was So Successful
Robert Downey Jr. is not only one of the most popular but also one of the highest-paid actors in Hollywood right now. His portrayal of the superhero Iron Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe gave him the chance to revive his career after his infamous brush with the law due to his addiction to drugs. Thankfully, he understood the need to stay clean before it was too late and made a comeback that will be remembered for decades to come.
No big studio wanted to hire Robert Downey Jr. for quite some time so when he was approached for the role of Iron Man, there was only one right answer. Before anyone knew it, he made one of the best superhero movies that had been ever made. He gave his everything to the character, and yet, there was no assurance of the fact that the movie would do good. Here is what he thinks contributed to the success of that very first Iron Man movie.
Read More: Robert Downey Jr. Credits One of His Biggest Flop Movie For His Oppenheimer Success
Robert Downey Jr. On Why Iron Man 1 Was So Successful
Robert Downey Jr. has never been one to shy away from speaking candidly about his personal struggles before the role of Iron Man catapulted him to stardom. However, the success of this project was as uncertain as any other project in which he would have starred. In fact, truth be told, his casting as the superhero was opposed by many due to his reputation in the industry.
It turned out to be a career-changing role for Downey Jr. Not to mention that it brought the Marvel Cinematic Universe into the spotlight and convinced everyone that the franchise has potential. One hell of a ride it has been for the MCU, its fans, and all the actors involved.
Read More: Robert Downey Jr. Credits One of His Biggest Flop Movie For His Oppenheimer Success
While sitting down with several other great actors on The Hollywood Reporter‘s Actor Roundtable, Robert Downey Jr. revealed the secret behind the success of Iron Man 1, saying:
“Also, there was no real certainty that this was even going to take off. Iron Man was a second-tier hero. They let the lunatics run the asylum for a little while, so it was completely an indie approach to a genre movie to begin with.”
The fact that director Jon Favreau and the Dolittle star made it work despite all the adversities- for instance, an incomplete script- is truly commendable.
Robert Downey Jr. Did Not Hesitate Before Signing Up for the Role of Iron Man
Making Iron Man was a gamble for both Robert Downey Jr. and the Marvel Studios; one that they both won. What might have been a cinematic disaster kickstarted an entire franchise, but no one had ever imagined that it would be able to achieve this. Even so, the Oppenheimer star did not hesitate before signing up for the role.
Speaking at The Hollywood Reporter‘s Actor Roundtable, Downey Jr. said:
“No, because anyone who knows [Iron Man director] Jon Favreau — I remember seeing Swingers, and that monologue he has, and I was like, “And he wrote this? Who is this guy?” Also, he went to Bronx Science, and he was doing the Improv in Chicago, and we’re both from Queens? We were meant to do this thing.”
Favreau and the Chaplin star’s faith in each other helped immortalize the character of Tony Stark. Seeing as Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige does not plan to bring back the character, Iron Man will always be synonymous with Robert Downey Jr.
