dose anyone think that Robert Downey Jr. makes a good Iron Man?

Question

I read recently that Robert Downey Jr. was chosen to play Tony Starks(Iron Man). Do you think that this is a good choice? If notm who would you pick?

Answer 1

On one hand, as far as the character of Tony Stark is concerned, RDJ fills the bill as someone who has addiction issues (Stark is an alcoholic, after all). If he brings his 'A' game to the role, he might do a good job expressing the struggles surrounding that and its relation to the Iron Man personality. He's also played arrogant playboy types before so that's a plus. When you think about it, he's more suited than Tom Cruise, who's just plain nuts.

On the other, it remains to be seen if he can draw in the audience needed to make the film profitible.

Since most of the film will be of him in armor/CGI he could pull it off. I'm not saying there aren't better choices for this character, but I can't think of any in the current crop of actors who could do much better.

That's just my 2 cents.

Answer 2

I agree that RDJ makes a good Stark in some respects (he's got the compulsive quirks down pat, and knows plenty about battling an addiction, but having to keep up appearances and somehow still get the job done - he could bring all that to the role)

But.. Stark is a taller, thinner guy- albeit one with a bad heart. He's closer to a young Sean Connery in terms of how people physically interact with him. I don't know if RDJ is a good choice in that regard. Like Tom Cruise, he just doesn't have the physical presence of a Tony Stark. It's like a 5'10" quarterback instead of a 6"3 one.

Also, the thing about the Iron man character that's most important is that he thinks on his feet- while Stark broods, Shellhead is always improvising, trying to turn a tactical or technological disadvantage into the upper hand- it's how Iron Man wins battles when he's outmatched or outnumbered.

RDJ is more... deliberate, at least that's how he comes across to me.

Options?

Ben Affleck would have been perfect for playing the self-absorbed, spoiled, rich... oh never mind, he's already been miscast.

Hugh Jackman is overused, and unfortunately I think he's etched into the minds of moviegoers as one particular mutant for purposes of any superhero movies- besides, we'll need him for the inevitable crossover film.

Guy Pearce would have been great, especially in the frantic, heat-of-battle decision making. Just one look at his performance in Memento and I see Stark trying to rewire his boot jets before the bomb goes off... He also looks like he's endured too many martini lunches.

Alexis Densiof might be good too (although I don't know about him making the bigscreen leap), he's played the brilliant thinker for years, and he has the Stark look.

Answer 3

Well it is really to soon to tell as the film is not even in pre production. However Robert Downey Jr is an incredible actor and knows a lot about addictions so he can probably bring a lot of realism to Tony Stark. Director Jon Favreau is a competent director and I dont think he made a bad choice in casting Downey

Answer 4

If Robert Downey Jr. grows in a thin mustache then yeah he could play Stark pretty well. But I believe that Tom Cruise would fit the bill better that Downey, but we'll just have to see.

Answer 5

This question has been weighing on me, even though it's just a movie. I am hesitant about R.Downey, JR., but Quackjack has made some points, and actually agree with his line of reasoning. I've stated this answer to this question to another person, but it's too bad Tom Selleck is too old for this role, as I think he would have been the perfect choice. Timothy Dalton (the villain in The Rocketeer and James Bond for 2 movies) would have been another choice, but, again, I think he's just a bit too old for the role. I'm not that young, myself, but I can't think of these actors filling the role currently. I think they should have gone with an unknown actor. I think they chose R.D. is due to his drug past, not unlike Tony Stark's alcoholic past, but I could be wrong. We'll have to wait and see; I will still see the movie, as Iron Man is my fave character.

Answer 6

I'm not sure how I feel about that. He's the right age. He's got the right hair coloring. He MAY be able to pull it off, if done right. I can't think of anyone else I'd rather see. And I think Stark is a litte more debonnaire than Downey can be, but who knows?

Answer 7

It could work. I really don't know - especially since I don't know if they're basing the movie off of the original Iron Man or the Ultimate version of Iron Man. All in all, I was never a big Avengers fan, so I'm going to reserve judgment until I see the movie.

Answer 8

i don't have any other suggestions for someone to play this guy, i don't think i've ever seen him. robert downey jr....he strikes me as a loose cannon. i don't know why but, really on the edge. i don't really like him. i mean, i don't know him personally but, maybe something in his eyes. when i look at him, i think he's a very scary person. i could be completely off. my characterization abilities, lately, seem to be suffering. (or so others have told me. i think, maybe they just want to throw me off because i've learned something about them through my amazing powers of observation) do i sound like a crazy person? i thought so.

Answer 9

Isn't he a alcoholic just like Tony Stark? If he is then he is the right man for the job.

Answer 10

The ONLY good thing RD jr.makes is a good DRUNK!
he sure has had alot of practice