SUMMARY
  • Robert Downey Jr.'s Iron Man set the stage for future Marvel Cinematic Universe movies.
  • But it was Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man that showed Downey Jr. the potential of superhero films.
  • The star admired Maguire’s dedication and success, which inspired him to become Iron Man.

Spider-Man has been a multimedia star. TV, games, movies, and even a Japanese show—name it, he’s everywhere. So, when Robert Downey Jr. saw Tobey Maguire as the Web-Slinger, he realized the potential of comic book movies. This happened way before RDJ had yet to put on the Iron Man suit.

Michael Jackson
Tobey Maguire in Spider Man (Credits: Sony Pictures Releasing)

Maguire’s amazing performance changed the genre and made the Downey Jr. want to play Iron Man. In a recent revelation, the 59-year-old shared how Maguire’s hard work and the rising popularity of superhero movies pushed him to step into the iconic metal suit.

Tobey Maguire’s Impact on Robert Downey Jr.

Robert Downey Jr. in a still from Iron Man (Credits: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)
Robert Downey Jr. in a still from Iron Man (Credits: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)

In the early 2000s, Tobey Maguire‘s Spider-Man changed everything  for superhero movies. It was a massive hit with both critics and audiences, raking in over $822 million globally (via The Numbers). Downey Jr., sitting on the sidelines, saw not only how popular the film was but also how much work it took to bring the character to life.

Maguire really went all in, from getting in shape to intense prep work. The star spent six months doing martial arts, lifting weights, and intense gym workouts to get strong and fit like Spider-Man. “I wasn’t able to eat that much for a long time,” he told cinema.com. This effort showed just how deep and successful comic book movies could be.

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The Avengers: Endgame actor saw firsthand how tricky it was to mix thrilling action with a great story. It made him think superhero movies could be really awesome, and he was pumped to give it a shot. 

Downey Jr.’s take on Tony Stark/Iron Man, was a game-changer for superhero movies. Instead of being all gloomy and serious, he added a lot of charm and humor to the superhero. This new style not only made the movie a hit, but also kicked off the Marvel Cinematic Universe, leading to a ton of other successful superhero films.

Spider-Man is Still Marvel’s Top Superhero Over Iron Man

Tobey Maguire
Tobey Maguire in Spider-Man (Credits: Sony Pictures Releasing)

Spider-Man has long been Marvel’s star, outshining other characters and securing the top spot in popularity. Since his debut in the Silver Age of comics, Spider-Man has become Marvel’s most beloved superhero, driving comic book sales and merchandise like no other.

Spider-Man is a big hit not just in comics but also in movies and video games. Iron Man is popular too, but Spider-Man still has the edge, especially when it comes to stealing the spotlight.
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For 25 years, the Web-Slinger has been the top superhero search on Google. This trend stayed strong with Andrew Garfield and Tom Holland playing Spider-Man in recent movies, making him even more famous. Spider-Man’s fame soared with Spider-Man: No Way Home, which made $1 billion in just 12 days and ended up earning $1.9 billion globally (via Box Office Mojo).

Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man and Iron Man are available to watch on Disney+.

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