Great, great article Agent_M, thanks for posting that. I stopped reading Marvel comics years ago so it was interesting to get a refresher course on Iron Man and see what he's been up to lately. Sadly, Marvel seems to be making some really idiotic editorial decisions these days.
I remember the Iron Man show from the mid 90's. The first season was terrible but they really improved the stories for season 2 and onward and even had some good adaptations of classic Iron Man storylines.
I also used to have all those ToyBiz figures (and I mean ALL of them); they were actually very cleverly produced with a metallic finish and all sorts of removable attachments. Sadly I threw them all away years ago.
The article raises some interesting issues for the upcoming movie. Clearly, they won't be able to use the Communist angle for Iron Man's origin. While I'm sure he will still be a rich industrialist and some traumatic event will cause him to build his suit and use it for good, I wonder if they'll just stick with corporate intrigue (which has already been used to death with the villains in Spiderman and Fantastic Four) or go somewhere else.
Yeah I pretty much tuned out of marvel for years till a friend got me into daredevil by lending me frank millars collections and showing me the 101 site. (BTW take a look at the wonder woman article, seems the guy that created her was a bit of an old perv.) so the only marvel I read now is UFF, daredevil and Excalibur
This film is already off to a questionable start! X-( ?:)
Robert Downey Jr. Is "Iron Man"
Posted: Friday September 29th 2006 12:07am
Source: Assorted Sources
Author: Garth Franklin
Robert Downey Jr. is set to star in his first big-budget action movie - the comic book adaptation "Iron Man". Jon Favreau is directing the movie, which will be distributed by Paramount Pictures in May 2008 reports the trades.
Downey will portray Tony Stark, a billionaire industrialist and genius inventor who is kidnapped and forced to build a devastating weapon. Using his intelligence and ingenuity, Stark instead builds a high-tech suit of armor and escapes captivity.
Upon his return to the U.S., he uncovers a plot with global implications and must don his armor and protect the world. Principal photography is set to begin in February.
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I mean he's a good actor but not for this role; although I believe he can play up the substance abuse part required of Stark...
I think Downey's a much better choice to play Tony Stark than any of the actors who've played Bruce Wayne --with the notable exception of Christian Bale.
IMO he was superb as Charlie Chaplin and very good as the crook/hero in Kiss Kiss Bang Bang.Who knows?The character's obviously been revised for the movie,so he might be quite effective as Tony Stark.At any rate,I'd really hate to see the bad guys and the Iron Man armor become the film's real star (ala' the villains and those nippled rubber suits in the first four Batman movies).
Robert Downey Jr.'s not a traditional leading man--which is the kind of actor I'd prefer to see as Stark-- but today's filmmakers don't seem to be interested in casting them very often.That's a shame,because they are exactly the types of actors who logically should be playing these types of parts.
LoeffelholzThe United States, With LovePosts: 8,994Quartermasters
edited September 2006
I've learnt to enjoy unconventional casting choice announcements, if only to observe the reactions they elicit B-) But you're right, Mr. Garvin, about Stark's role being best filled by a more conventional leading man---making his alcoholism more a more effective weakness, or 'fatal flaw.'
Downey wouldn't have been my choice, either, but I believe he has the acting chops (and the personal baggage!) to pull it off.
I'm looking forward to this one.
Check out my Amazon author page!Mark Loeffelholz
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
RogueAgentSpeeding in the Tumbler...Posts: 3,676MI6 Agent
Well I am glad that some of you approve of Downey's casting even if I'm not quite sold on it yet. He's a very versatile actor but in this case wasn't even close to being on my list for Iron Man much less any other superhero scheduled to paste the big screen.
Favreau already raises questions as to if he's up to the job of directing it properly.
Is someone here talented enough to Photoshop the famous porn mustache on a Downey image ? Sort of help the visual soak in abit?
I know it's late in the game for him but a younger Timothy Dalton screams this part to me.
Mrs. Man Face: "You wouldn't hit a lady? Would you?"
Batman: "The Hammer Of Justice isUNISEX!"
-Batman: The Brave & The Bold -
A 30ish Dalton with the Errol Flynn moustache would've been terrific casting.A 30ish Errol Flynn would've been even better.
I think Gerard Butler would've been worth a serious glance.He's in his late 30s,does a good American accent and has the leading man looks, plus some measure of fame without being overly expensive.He's only recently become a movie star.There's another Brit named Jonathan Cake(Empire,Inconceivable) who would also be good.
Then there's Matthew McConaughey:he's talented, handsome and well built--all he needs is the moustache, and he's been looking for a franchise (the Dirk Pitt one seems to have fallen through due in large part to a lawsuit by Clive Cussler).Why not cast a Texan to play a character loosely inspired by Howard Hughes?I'd do that if I were in charge of this movie.Playing the many sides of Tony's persona wouldn't be a stretch for him at all.
And I suspect most of the soap operas have talented actors who are not only handsome leading men, but who could easily play the handsome leading men types required in comic book-based movies.There are plenty of suitable actors available--but they may not be well known.The studio might be requiring a famous name.
There's really nothing wrong with casting an actor based upon his facial/physical suitability for a role.For example,many of the actors who tested to play Superman before Routh was eventually chosen might have what it takes to play Tony Stark--Matthew Bomer,for example.Some of the recent actors who were mentioned as possible 007s might've been good options,too.Alex O'Lachlan,for instance.
But it's apparent that the Iron Man movie is being cast with at least one eye on the boxoffice and the thinking could be that an established name like Downey's might help sell this film to a public that's unfamiliar with this character.
That said,I think Downey's a good actor with definitely enough range to play Stark.But in the end it'll all depend on the decisions regarding how the character is to be interpreted,plus the overall quality of the screenplay itself that'll be the biggest factors in this film's success or failure.
But it's apparent that the Iron Man movie is being cast with at least one eye on the boxoffice and the thinking could be that an established name like Downey's might help sell this film to a public that's unfamiliar with this character.
I don't think he's a massive box office draw, is he? That McConaughey chap would probably be more of one. No, I think they've cast him because they feel he's right for the part. This all feels nicely similar to Spider-Man so far (which worked very well), and even partly like Casino Royale (which, well.. we don't know yet! ) so I think the signs are very good. I like watching Downey and it's very surprising to see him take a role like this, so this has certainly made me more interested!
But it's apparent that the Iron Man movie is being cast with at least one eye on the boxoffice and the thinking could be that an established name like Downey's might help sell this film to a public that's unfamiliar with this character.
I don't think he's a massive box office draw, is he? That McConaughey chap would probably be more of one. No, I think they've cast him because they feel he's right for the part. This all feels nicely similar to Spider-Man so far (which worked very well), and even partly like Casino Royale (which, well.. we don't know yet! ) so I think the signs are very good. I like watching Downey and it's very surprising to see him take a role like this, so this has certainly made me more interested!
You could very well be right.Maybe in the eyes of Paramount's executives Downey is a better choice to play Iron Man because he is well-established in the USA--although he is not a major leading man.He's almost always gotten critical and public praise for his performances, and that would seem like good insurance for a film like Iron Man.Even if it proves to somehow be less expensive than some of the previous superhero movies,it will probably be fairly costly anyway.
I certainly think if Robert Downey is indeed the man signed to play Tony Stark, that he can be convincing in the role.He's a much better choice than,say,Nicolas Cage would've ever been--but that's just my opinion.
And yes,Downey's involvement in such a picture will probably draw the eyes of the casual filmgoers who might not otherwise find Iron Man an especially interesting or appealing character to begin with.
Ultimately,I think this film's success will really depend on how the character is interpreted,along with the overall tone of the film, and most importantly,the content of the screenplay.
I seriously doubt Favreau will go out of his way to camp this up.After all,even if Iron Man is the only superhero movie Favreau directs(he's already acted in Daredevil),it'll still be an important one for his career.:)
Robert Freakin' Downey Jr.?!? He's a superb actor, but as Tony Stark?! I guess they're really going to emphasize Stark's heart condition, because otherwise I can't imagine why they'd cast a short-ish, haggard-looking guy who's over 40!
Vox clamantis in deserto
LoeffelholzThe United States, With LovePosts: 8,994Quartermasters
edited September 2006
I seem to remember rumours that Tom Cruise had indicated interest in doing 'Iron Man.'
Sure, Tony Stark is drawn as a classic square-jawed leading-man type---but then quite a lot of the superheroes sprung from '60's fall into that category (though Marvel shook things up nicely with Peter Parker B-) ).
IMRO, Iron Man is an interesting case, because Tony Stark invents the armour, dons it...and becomes something greater than himself---and, let's not forget that he had a bad heart (a result of a Vietnam war injury, if memory serves), so he needs the technology to simply survive. And his alcoholism was an interesting wrinkle---the enemy within---a great spin on the hero's external armoured suit...
Perhaps a character such as Tony Stark needn't cling to the lantern-jawed comic book ideal, since his alter-ego will doubtlessly compensate.
Check out my Amazon author page!Mark Loeffelholz
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
And yes,Downey's involvement in such a picture will probably draw the eyes of the casual filmgoers who might not otherwise find Iron Man an especially interesting or appealing character to begin with.
I think it will, but I think it's not so much Downey himself (although I do like him), rather than his casting is a sign that these guys aren't going the crappy normal route of these movies. If this was Fantastic Four or Daredevil we'd be having some gorgeous 23 year old from the OC playing Iron Man; but instead we've got an interesting actor who isn't known for this type of thing. I wasn't crying out to see Downey in a role like this, but it's far from bad casting and it makes the whole film a more appetising affair if they're prepared to make interesting decisions like this.
Frankly,I don't think there's anything wrong with getting an actor who really looks right for a specific part to actually play that part.For example,popular as he once was,I don't think the late Charles Bronson would've ever been accepted as Superman.Sometimes physical and facial resemblances are important.
It seems that all too often,comic book/comic strip-based movies make the famous costumes and props associated with the titular characters the real stars of their films.By contrast,the resemblances of the leading and even the supporting actors to the characters they play onscreen seldom seem as important.I think that's wrong.
Yes,comics characters are are usually interpreted by a number of artists with varying styles.But nevertheless,heroes are still drawn to look like heroes.I'm really not a big fan of casting against type when it comes to comics movies.For instance,I thought the 1989 Batman movie was fatally flawed the instant Michael Keaton was signed to play the title role.He was miscast.
However,despite my misgivings about this type of casting,I don't feel overly disappointed about Downey as Tony Stark.Although I'd rather see a traditional leading man with classic features play Stark,Iron Man's alter ego doesn't have to look like an Olympic athlete/matinee idol to be credible in the part.
RogueAgentSpeeding in the Tumbler...Posts: 3,676MI6 Agent
Sure, Tony Stark is drawn as a classic square-jawed leading-man type---but then quite a lot of the superheroes sprung from '60's fall into that category (though Marvel shook things up nicely with Peter Parker B-) ).
Actually, Loeff, the casting of Maguire was pretty much on target for Peter Parker. Even in the comics, he's relatively short and geekish as drawn by Spidey guru Steve Ditko. It has always been the misconception, within the comics community, that Peter was considerably handsome- he isn't. John Romita Sr. has claimed himself that editors thought that he drew the lead "too pretty". I thought of all the actors cast to match type against these familiar characters of our childhoods that Tobey's fit the best thus far.
Spiderman isn't a tall guy to begin with and that makes Marvel's decision even sweeter to me.
Mrs. Man Face: "You wouldn't hit a lady? Would you?"
Batman: "The Hammer Of Justice isUNISEX!"
-Batman: The Brave & The Bold -
Is someone here talented enough to Photoshop the famous porn mustache on a Downey image ? Sort of help the visual soak in abit?
Sadly, I don't have such skills. I just searched for images of RDJ with a mustache, but the only pix I could find--aside from ones showing him as Chaplin--had him with stubble or a goatee. Here he is from this year's Sundance Festival:
Vox clamantis in deserto
RogueAgentSpeeding in the Tumbler...Posts: 3,676MI6 Agent
Is someone here talented enough to Photoshop the famous porn mustache on a Downey image ? Sort of help the visual soak in abit?
Sadly, I don't have such skills. I just searched for images of RDJ with a mustache, but the only pix I could find--aside from ones showing him as Chaplin--had him with stubble or a goatee. Here he is from this year's Sundance Festival:
Well, I initially didn't like Daniel Craig, but I've warmed to him. Guess I can warm up to Downey, too. . .
Thanks for trying, H.B. )
Mrs. Man Face: "You wouldn't hit a lady? Would you?"
Batman: "The Hammer Of Justice isUNISEX!"
-Batman: The Brave & The Bold -
Accepting Downey as Iron Man will be easier for me than accepting Craig as Bond. There isn't all that cinematic history and 20 previous movies hammering a certain vision into my head to overcome. The guy can act and he does have a range, having appeared in everything from light comedies to serious drama to accurate biopics.
Besides, once he's in costume, he'll be covered from head to toe in a gold and red armor and the only thing we'll see of the actual actor (maybe) is his eyes. Now if they mess with the costume and give me something that doesn't resemble the Golden Avenger then I'll really be miffed.
When all is said and done, it probably will end up feeling a lot like Keaton and the 1989 Batman: not my ideal casting choice but also not ruinous to the movie as long as they make a good film around him.
Of course, if I had my way, Iron Man and Tony Stark would look something like this:
RogueAgentSpeeding in the Tumbler...Posts: 3,676MI6 Agent
That's the costume I want to see, Tony!
Somehow I doubt I'll get my request...
Mrs. Man Face: "You wouldn't hit a lady? Would you?"
Batman: "The Hammer Of Justice isUNISEX!"
-Batman: The Brave & The Bold -
You never know Rogue, they may surprise us. Recent Marvel adaptations, with the notable exception of X-Men, have stayed pretty true to the comics with regard to the costumes and general look of the heros. Spiderman, Hulk, Fantastic Four, and even The Punisher looked pretty much like their 4 color counterparts.
Fairly cool, but the faces look a bit too much like the recent Cybermen from Doctor Who. I think I can see why they didn't make the cut.
I also think they're a little too "busy". For a live action movie, I think a sleeker, smoother look with less texture and fewer attachments would work better. It would also probably make the inevitable CGI shots easier to pull off and look more convincing.
Apart from the helmets, those suits of armor look pretty good to me.I think they're similar to the classic red and gold armor of the 70s 80s and 90s(even to the point of retaining the general color scheme) while also having a slightly futuristic look.
The established costumes of comic book characters nearly always tend to undergo some kind of alteration on the way to the screen:look at the 5 movie Batmans' all-black rubber(!) outfits,for example--or that modified(for no good reason)uniform Superman recently wore.
I doubt we'll see an exact reproduction of the Heck/Colan/Romita/Layton armor in the Iron Man movie.However,this armor at least resembles what Iron Man's worn in the comics,and that's not such a bad thing at all.
Now about that helmet...
LoeffelholzThe United States, With LovePosts: 8,994Quartermasters
Sure, Tony Stark is drawn as a classic square-jawed leading-man type---but then quite a lot of the superheroes sprung from '60's fall into that category (though Marvel shook things up nicely with Peter Parker B-) ).
Actually, Loeff, the casting of Maguire was pretty much on target for Peter Parker. Even in the comics, he's relatively short and geekish as drawn by Spidey guru Steve Ditko. It has always been the misconception, within the comics community, that Peter was considerably handsome- he isn't. John Romita Sr. has claimed himself that editors thought that he drew the lead "too pretty". I thought of all the actors cast to match type against these familiar characters of our childhoods that Tobey's fit the best thus far.
Spiderman isn't a tall guy to begin with and that makes Marvel's decision even sweeter to me.
Sorry, poorly stated on my part. My point was precisely that Peter Parker wasn't the square-jawed, leading-man type---and this signalled something new in the comic books. I wasn't talking about the Spiderman films, which I think feature a perfectly-cast Maguire.
I think Stark could have been equally effective on the comic book page if he'd been drawn more like a Robert Downey Jr, as opposed to a muscular, comic-book Howard Hughes, which is kind of how I always envisioned Stark.
Check out my Amazon author page!Mark Loeffelholz
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
I hadnt heard about an Iron Man movie
but I guess Hollywood is set to market versions of all the Marvel properties so long as theyre proven moneymakers
and as this summers Superman film reversed the recent trend of DCbombs, maybe well get more DC comics films in the future too
gotta say though the best superhero films are not mainstream Dc or Marvel properties
my favourites would be The Mask, Mystery Men, and The Incredibles
I saw a bit of promotion for a SubMariner film last year but havent heard anything since, has that gone nowhere?
regarding the actors mentioned: Robert Downey Jr would definitely be better than Tom Cruise
Downey can act, and if theyre going to do Stark-as-alcoholic, which is how I think theyve done him in the comix in recent years, well then downeys particularly good at that sort of roll!
Cruise on the other cannot act period, stinks up everything he touches, manages to throw me into fits of rage everytime I even read his ubiquitous name in the papers
RogueAgentSpeeding in the Tumbler...Posts: 3,676MI6 Agent
edited November 2006
Here's the latest IM article. For those interested of course...
Robert Downey Jr. Talks Iron Man
Source: Edward Douglas November 7, 2006
In the new indie drama Fur: An Imaginary Portrait of Diane Arbus, Robert Downey Jr. is covered from head to toe in luscious fur, but when ComingSoon.net/Superhero Hype! spoke to Downey Jr. about the movie, we were more interested in another suit he will be wearing soon, one of armor in Jon Favreau's Iron Man.
"The suit for 'Iron Man' is so complex and does so much stuff that except for once or twice or from the chest up, I'm not required to do all that much," Downey Jr. told us when asked if he'd been fitted for the armor yet. "What I will do is a lot of motion capture so that the movement isn't just some random stunt guy. A lot of time I look at CGI and I'm like 'What's the reference for this? This looks like a cartoon reference not a person." So I said I want to do all the motion capture work, which is like eight months after finishing shooting, but as much as it as I can do, I will."
"I went after it like a greyhound after a rabbit," he said when asked whether Favreau approached him or whether he went after the part. "I loved Marvel and 'Iron Man' to me is the goods. To tell you the God's honest truth, I'd thrown them all away for Sgt. Rock, because I really grew up on Hogan's Heroes, Sgt. Rock. I'm still addicted to the History Channel and the Military Channel is my thing, but Tony's the best because I could never be Sgt. Rock. He's a little bigger and more butch and has a cigar, I don't see it. Tony's a perfect fit for me, and if I was ever going to do this type of thing, I thought, you know, like early '40's. Great, because when you hang up your 'macho hat' and start directing or doing other stuff, it's not an embarrassment to be doing this in your late '40s still if we wind up doing three of them."
He also said that there would be some major casting announcements soon including Tony Stark's secretary Pepper Potts and one other, but he couldn't let the cat out of the bag despite being excited about the chance to work with the actors.
Iron Man is scheduled for May 2, 2008, but you can see Downey Jr. in Steven Shainsburg's Fur: An Imaginary Portrait of Diane Arbus, which opens in New York and Los Angeles this week, and check out the rest of our interview with Downey Jr. over on ComingSoon.net in the next week.
I've noticed in some recent issues of Iron Man (and also The Avengers, and some Spidey comics), but Tony Stark has been drawn to look remarkably like (the 1980's era) Timothy Dalton, with a moustache of course.
Now, I'm not sure that casting the great Tim Dalton would be the best move (as unfortunately the general public haven't embraced him as much as they should) but I do think the producers should look towards casting another former 007 as Tony Stark... Pierce Brosnan.
That is unless Pierce has already been cast as Dr Strange or Mandrake The Magician (but that's another story).
Another thing I would like to see in the Iron Man movie is an actual suit. I've had it up to here (point's fingers at receeding hairline) with CGI action heroes, and I believe that a real life Iron Man suit could look even more amazing on screen than any CGI could (plus it would make a great collectable movie prop!).
Yep, CGI can destroy many a movie. Star Wars for example. End up looking like a PS2/Xbox game.
Be good to see a good, solid suit. Hopefully it won't winkle like The Thing's "rocky" skin in FF movie!!!!
I've noticed in some recent issues of Iron Man (and also The Avengers, and some Spidey comics), but Tony Stark has been drawn to look remarkably like (the 1980's era) Timothy Dalton, with a moustache of course.
Back in the day, that would have been a wonderful casting call!
But I agree that Stark is a Bond-like character and as such, any actor who could likely appear Bondian could probably handle Tony Stark as well.
Tony Stark to me is the Marvel Universe's answer to Howard Hughes Pioneering aviator, engineer, industrialist and playboy. If they stick to that for the movie, I'll be happy!!
Did anyone else have that anniversary edition of Iron Man where he went back in time to Arthurian Britain with Dr Doom? I loved that comic (although perhaps not the best introduction to the character!).
Yes! Still have it There was a ‘sequel’ in the 1990s to that where they were in the future-esque Camalot, and Tony noted that his bloodline continued. Good rubbish
Downey seems to know his comic book history and that's always a good thing. After reading about actor after actor who is embarrassed by the tights and funny costumes, it refreshing to hear somebody actually say these characters are cool just as they are. This is the first real positive sign for me about this movie; I really hope it turns out well.
Comments
http://www.comics101.com/comics101//?mode=project&action=view&project=Comics%20101&chapter=33
Scott updates his column every wednesday and its always well written and researched, and is usually pretty objective and self deprecating.
www.scottacademymartialarts.co.uk
I remember the Iron Man show from the mid 90's. The first season was terrible but they really improved the stories for season 2 and onward and even had some good adaptations of classic Iron Man storylines.
I also used to have all those ToyBiz figures (and I mean ALL of them); they were actually very cleverly produced with a metallic finish and all sorts of removable attachments. Sadly I threw them all away years ago.
The article raises some interesting issues for the upcoming movie. Clearly, they won't be able to use the Communist angle for Iron Man's origin. While I'm sure he will still be a rich industrialist and some traumatic event will cause him to build his suit and use it for good, I wonder if they'll just stick with corporate intrigue (which has already been used to death with the villains in Spiderman and Fantastic Four) or go somewhere else.
Thanks again for sharing.
www.scottacademymartialarts.co.uk
I think Downey's a much better choice to play Tony Stark than any of the actors who've played Bruce Wayne --with the notable exception of Christian Bale.
IMO he was superb as Charlie Chaplin and very good as the crook/hero in Kiss Kiss Bang Bang.Who knows?The character's obviously been revised for the movie,so he might be quite effective as Tony Stark.At any rate,I'd really hate to see the bad guys and the Iron Man armor become the film's real star (ala' the villains and those nippled rubber suits in the first four Batman movies).
Robert Downey Jr.'s not a traditional leading man--which is the kind of actor I'd prefer to see as Stark-- but today's filmmakers don't seem to be interested in casting them very often.That's a shame,because they are exactly the types of actors who logically should be playing these types of parts.
Downey wouldn't have been my choice, either, but I believe he has the acting chops (and the personal baggage!) to pull it off.
I'm looking forward to this one.
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
Favreau already raises questions as to if he's up to the job of directing it properly.
Is someone here talented enough to Photoshop the famous porn mustache on a Downey image
I know it's late in the game for him but a younger Timothy Dalton screams this part to me.
Batman: "The Hammer Of Justice is UNISEX!"
-Batman: The Brave & The Bold -
I think Gerard Butler would've been worth a serious glance.He's in his late 30s,does a good American accent and has the leading man looks, plus some measure of fame without being overly expensive.He's only recently become a movie star.There's another Brit named Jonathan Cake(Empire,Inconceivable) who would also be good.
Then there's Matthew McConaughey:he's talented, handsome and well built--all he needs is the moustache, and he's been looking for a franchise (the Dirk Pitt one seems to have fallen through due in large part to a lawsuit by Clive Cussler).Why not cast a Texan to play a character loosely inspired by Howard Hughes?I'd do that if I were in charge of this movie.Playing the many sides of Tony's persona wouldn't be a stretch for him at all.
And I suspect most of the soap operas have talented actors who are not only handsome leading men, but who could easily play the handsome leading men types required in comic book-based movies.There are plenty of suitable actors available--but they may not be well known.The studio might be requiring a famous name.
There's really nothing wrong with casting an actor based upon his facial/physical suitability for a role.For example,many of the actors who tested to play Superman before Routh was eventually chosen might have what it takes to play Tony Stark--Matthew Bomer,for example.Some of the recent actors who were mentioned as possible 007s might've been good options,too.Alex O'Lachlan,for instance.
But it's apparent that the Iron Man movie is being cast with at least one eye on the boxoffice and the thinking could be that an established name like Downey's might help sell this film to a public that's unfamiliar with this character.
That said,I think Downey's a good actor with definitely enough range to play Stark.But in the end it'll all depend on the decisions regarding how the character is to be interpreted,plus the overall quality of the screenplay itself that'll be the biggest factors in this film's success or failure.
I don't think he's a massive box office draw, is he? That McConaughey chap would probably be more of one. No, I think they've cast him because they feel he's right for the part. This all feels nicely similar to Spider-Man so far (which worked very well), and even partly like Casino Royale (which, well.. we don't know yet!
You could very well be right.Maybe in the eyes of Paramount's executives Downey is a better choice to play Iron Man because he is well-established in the USA--although he is not a major leading man.He's almost always gotten critical and public praise for his performances, and that would seem like good insurance for a film like Iron Man.Even if it proves to somehow be less expensive than some of the previous superhero movies,it will probably be fairly costly anyway.
I certainly think if Robert Downey is indeed the man signed to play Tony Stark, that he can be convincing in the role.He's a much better choice than,say,Nicolas Cage would've ever been--but that's just my opinion.
And yes,Downey's involvement in such a picture will probably draw the eyes of the casual filmgoers who might not otherwise find Iron Man an especially interesting or appealing character to begin with.
Ultimately,I think this film's success will really depend on how the character is interpreted,along with the overall tone of the film, and most importantly,the content of the screenplay.
I seriously doubt Favreau will go out of his way to camp this up.After all,even if Iron Man is the only superhero movie Favreau directs(he's already acted in Daredevil),it'll still be an important one for his career.:)
Sure, Tony Stark is drawn as a classic square-jawed leading-man type---but then quite a lot of the superheroes sprung from '60's fall into that category (though Marvel shook things up nicely with Peter Parker B-) ).
IMRO, Iron Man is an interesting case, because Tony Stark invents the armour, dons it...and becomes something greater than himself---and, let's not forget that he had a bad heart (a result of a Vietnam war injury, if memory serves), so he needs the technology to simply survive. And his alcoholism was an interesting wrinkle---the enemy within---a great spin on the hero's external armoured suit...
Perhaps a character such as Tony Stark needn't cling to the lantern-jawed comic book ideal, since his alter-ego will doubtlessly compensate.
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
I think it will, but I think it's not so much Downey himself (although I do like him), rather than his casting is a sign that these guys aren't going the crappy normal route of these movies. If this was Fantastic Four or Daredevil we'd be having some gorgeous 23 year old from the OC playing Iron Man; but instead we've got an interesting actor who isn't known for this type of thing. I wasn't crying out to see Downey in a role like this, but it's far from bad casting and it makes the whole film a more appetising affair if they're prepared to make interesting decisions like this.
It seems that all too often,comic book/comic strip-based movies make the famous costumes and props associated with the titular characters the real stars of their films.By contrast,the resemblances of the leading and even the supporting actors to the characters they play onscreen seldom seem as important.I think that's wrong.
Yes,comics characters are are usually interpreted by a number of artists with varying styles.But nevertheless,heroes are still drawn to look like heroes.I'm really not a big fan of casting against type when it comes to comics movies.For instance,I thought the 1989 Batman movie was fatally flawed the instant Michael Keaton was signed to play the title role.He was miscast.
However,despite my misgivings about this type of casting,I don't feel overly disappointed about Downey as Tony Stark.Although I'd rather see a traditional leading man with classic features play Stark,Iron Man's alter ego doesn't have to look like an Olympic athlete/matinee idol to be credible in the part.
Actually, Loeff, the casting of Maguire was pretty much on target for Peter Parker. Even in the comics, he's relatively short and geekish as drawn by Spidey guru Steve Ditko. It has always been the misconception, within the comics community, that Peter was considerably handsome- he isn't. John Romita Sr. has claimed himself that editors thought that he drew the lead "too pretty". I thought of all the actors cast to match type against these familiar characters of our childhoods that Tobey's fit the best thus far.
Spiderman isn't a tall guy to begin with and that makes Marvel's decision even sweeter to me.
Batman: "The Hammer Of Justice is UNISEX!"
-Batman: The Brave & The Bold -
Sadly, I don't have such skills. I just searched for images of RDJ with a mustache, but the only pix I could find--aside from ones showing him as Chaplin--had him with stubble or a goatee. Here he is from this year's Sundance Festival:
Thanks for trying, H.B.
Batman: "The Hammer Of Justice is UNISEX!"
-Batman: The Brave & The Bold -
Besides, once he's in costume, he'll be covered from head to toe in a gold and red armor and the only thing we'll see of the actual actor (maybe) is his eyes. Now if they mess with the costume and give me something that doesn't resemble the Golden Avenger then I'll really be miffed.
When all is said and done, it probably will end up feeling a lot like Keaton and the 1989 Batman: not my ideal casting choice but also not ruinous to the movie as long as they make a good film around him.
Of course, if I had my way, Iron Man and Tony Stark would look something like this:
Somehow I doubt I'll get my request...
Batman: "The Hammer Of Justice is UNISEX!"
-Batman: The Brave & The Bold -
http://screenrant.com/archives/rejected-iron-man-movie-armor--1253.html
Fairly cool, but the faces look a bit too much like the recent Cybermen from Doctor Who. I think I can see why they didn't make the cut.
You never know Rogue, they may surprise us. Recent Marvel adaptations, with the notable exception of X-Men, have stayed pretty true to the comics with regard to the costumes and general look of the heros. Spiderman, Hulk, Fantastic Four, and even The Punisher looked pretty much like their 4 color counterparts.
I also think they're a little too "busy". For a live action movie, I think a sleeker, smoother look with less texture and fewer attachments would work better. It would also probably make the inevitable CGI shots easier to pull off and look more convincing.
The established costumes of comic book characters nearly always tend to undergo some kind of alteration on the way to the screen:look at the 5 movie Batmans' all-black rubber(!) outfits,for example--or that modified(for no good reason)uniform Superman recently wore.
I doubt we'll see an exact reproduction of the Heck/Colan/Romita/Layton armor in the Iron Man movie.However,this armor at least resembles what Iron Man's worn in the comics,and that's not such a bad thing at all.
Now about that helmet...
Sorry, poorly stated on my part. My point was precisely that Peter Parker wasn't the square-jawed, leading-man type---and this signalled something new in the comic books. I wasn't talking about the Spiderman films, which I think feature a perfectly-cast Maguire.
I think Stark could have been equally effective on the comic book page if he'd been drawn more like a Robert Downey Jr, as opposed to a muscular, comic-book Howard Hughes, which is kind of how I always envisioned Stark.
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
I hadnt heard about an Iron Man movie
but I guess Hollywood is set to market versions of all the Marvel properties so long as theyre proven moneymakers
and as this summers Superman film reversed the recent trend of DCbombs, maybe well get more DC comics films in the future too
gotta say though the best superhero films are not mainstream Dc or Marvel properties
my favourites would be The Mask, Mystery Men, and The Incredibles
I saw a bit of promotion for a SubMariner film last year but havent heard anything since, has that gone nowhere?
regarding the actors mentioned: Robert Downey Jr would definitely be better than Tom Cruise
Downey can act, and if theyre going to do Stark-as-alcoholic, which is how I think theyve done him in the comix in recent years, well then downeys particularly good at that sort of roll!
Cruise on the other cannot act period, stinks up everything he touches, manages to throw me into fits of rage everytime I even read his ubiquitous name in the papers
Robert Downey Jr. Talks Iron Man
Source: Edward Douglas November 7, 2006
In the new indie drama Fur: An Imaginary Portrait of Diane Arbus, Robert Downey Jr. is covered from head to toe in luscious fur, but when ComingSoon.net/Superhero Hype! spoke to Downey Jr. about the movie, we were more interested in another suit he will be wearing soon, one of armor in Jon Favreau's Iron Man.
"The suit for 'Iron Man' is so complex and does so much stuff that except for once or twice or from the chest up, I'm not required to do all that much," Downey Jr. told us when asked if he'd been fitted for the armor yet. "What I will do is a lot of motion capture so that the movement isn't just some random stunt guy. A lot of time I look at CGI and I'm like 'What's the reference for this? This looks like a cartoon reference not a person." So I said I want to do all the motion capture work, which is like eight months after finishing shooting, but as much as it as I can do, I will."
"I went after it like a greyhound after a rabbit," he said when asked whether Favreau approached him or whether he went after the part. "I loved Marvel and 'Iron Man' to me is the goods. To tell you the God's honest truth, I'd thrown them all away for Sgt. Rock, because I really grew up on Hogan's Heroes, Sgt. Rock. I'm still addicted to the History Channel and the Military Channel is my thing, but Tony's the best because I could never be Sgt. Rock. He's a little bigger and more butch and has a cigar, I don't see it. Tony's a perfect fit for me, and if I was ever going to do this type of thing, I thought, you know, like early '40's. Great, because when you hang up your 'macho hat' and start directing or doing other stuff, it's not an embarrassment to be doing this in your late '40s still if we wind up doing three of them."
He also said that there would be some major casting announcements soon including Tony Stark's secretary Pepper Potts and one other, but he couldn't let the cat out of the bag despite being excited about the chance to work with the actors.
Iron Man is scheduled for May 2, 2008, but you can see Downey Jr. in Steven Shainsburg's Fur: An Imaginary Portrait of Diane Arbus, which opens in New York and Los Angeles this week, and check out the rest of our interview with Downey Jr. over on ComingSoon.net in the next week.
http://www.superherohype.com/news/ironmannews.php?id=4879
Batman: "The Hammer Of Justice is UNISEX!"
-Batman: The Brave & The Bold -
Yep, CGI can destroy many a movie. Star Wars for example. End up looking like a PS2/Xbox game.
Be good to see a good, solid suit. Hopefully it won't winkle like The Thing's "rocky" skin in FF movie!!!!
Back in the day, that would have been a wonderful casting call!
Tony Stark to me is the Marvel Universe's answer to Howard Hughes
Yes! Still have it
Downey seems to know his comic book history and that's always a good thing. After reading about actor after actor who is embarrassed by the tights and funny costumes, it refreshing to hear somebody actually say these characters are cool just as they are. This is the first real positive sign for me about this movie; I really hope it turns out well.