AICN EXCLUSIVE!! IRON MAN Has Found Its Tony Stark!!

Freaking Brilliant!

I LOVE IT!!! Bravo Favreau!!!

Fantastic casting. I'm in love with this decision.

Downy jr is the man, good call. (If true)

so close

Let's see how it plays out.

I'm so not sure...As in is he really right for it?

If Tony Stark was gay, I could see it.

Look at that moustache.

...but in a good way. I was incredibly terrified that Stark was going to be Ashton Kutcher or some other pre-30 boy-toy type. But this!... Here's an actual ACTOR. Wow. Now I'm REALLY intrigued. I wonder if he'll have the required mustache?...

Jarjar Binks would make a better Iron Man than that drug addict.

You just feel bad(ly) that it wasn't you.

he can grow a mustache right?

Awesome. I can't wait for this shit now. Best superhero casting since Michael Keaton.

A man with documented drug problems and rough years seems to be the perfect fit for Tony Stark who has gone through the same exact thing.

I never saw this coming, what a perfect choice!

That's awesome. An inspired choice, if for no other reason than it's unexpectedness. I am now really looking forward to this movie. Congrats to Fav, and to Downey. All eyes on you.

I can't think of a better choice. (Are they going to have a scene where Stark wakes up deliriously in some kid's room of a stranger's house?)

Perfect choice. Hope it comes in under budget.

I can't remember the last time I felt that a casting choice for a Marvel character was so dead on. My anticipation for this film just shot up 100%.

I will be there on opening day just on Downey's name. Good job Favs.

Like it or hate it, this is the best news I've heard in a LONG while. Go, Favreau!!

Apart from the elections, now there's even more reason to want 2008 to hurry up and GET HERE!!

The scenes with him in the mask and use a double.

Great chance for Downey to get back in the game with a role he will do as well as anyone could. It's a twofer.

As soon as I read that, I immediately thought, "YES!" Downey is such a good actor. I've rooted for him since "Chaplin." Great work, Favs! Can't wait to see this one!

That is AMAZING! I think Iron Man will be right up there with Begins.

...they better make sure this doesn't turn into a ROBOCOP imitation! The suit better be cool and sleek!!

But I love Robert Downey Jr., and I may actually see this movie now.

...comes the perfect casting choice. Seriously, has Downey ever been mentioned as a possibility for Iron Man? I thought for sure it would go to Tom Cruise and he would push for a rewrite in which Stark beats his addictions by reading Dianetics and taking purifying saunas and colonics.

Best casting since Cap'n Jack.

In my opinion.

that they'd go with that Brandon Routh guy, but I guess a former SNL member is just as good.

Maybe they can get Tim Meadows for Jim Rhodes...

I can't believe they went with Downey. The work he did in Kiss Kiss Bang Bang and A Scanner Darkly was nothing short of brilliant. Stark is a genius with a dark history of addiction. Downey is a genius with a dark history of addiction. I hope he beefs up a little bit though. Stark isn't a weakling. I'm really curious what the supporting cast is going to be now. It probably would have gone to Cruise if he hadn't gone all nuts and Paramount hadn't flat out fired him. WOO DOWNEY. I hope he's in the suit too.

i think they made a great choice. i was seriously fearful when i saw the headline, like someone said above, that it'd be ashton kutcher or some other half-wit bozo that has no business being in a potentially good movie. at least we know he can play alcoholic with ease.

but I think most of us can agree that this proyect has raised from "DAREDEVIL" level of spectation to at least "X-MEN" level of spectation.

Although I was a fan of Iron Man back in the 80s and early 90s I lost touch with the character until his recent appearances in Spiderman and (of course) Civil War. I was mildly intrigued when the movie was announced and became moreso when Favreau was picked to direct it. This casting though will have me there opening night. I love it when people who can actually act are chosen for comic book movies, as opposed to pretty boys or the hot celebs. Of course, the movie could still be bad (Catwoman, Batman and Robin, Aeon Flux all spring to mind) but for now, I'm quite excited.

.who'd cure his drinking problem with vitamins and would probably shoehorn scientology references into the Iron Man cannon.

Did I just read that? Sounds interesting!! Better than TC...certainly... <br> Michael Regina<br> Editor in Chief/Segment Producer<br> http://www.TheOneRing.net<br> http://www.KongisKing.net<br> http://www.TheOneLion.net<br> http://www.whatisthedavincicode.blogspot.com

GREAT ACTOR FOR A GREAT PART.....

He was an acomplished actor before he joined SNL

I like Downey and all, and I'm sure he will be fine, but I don't think he's bullseye casting. Downey's eyes are too open and puppy dog likeable, and I always though there was something brooding and mysterious about Tony Stark, you know, the kind of guy you could be friends with for years and never really get to know. Downey comes across as too much of an open book to me...Of course, I could be wrong.

I haven't seen many of his movies... but in everything i've seen him in, and in all the interviews i've seen him in, he's seemed like one of the blandest actors and persons i've ever seen, and awefully full of himself.... seriously, what am i missing??

I haven't seen many of his movies... but in everything i've seen him in, and in all the interviews i've seen him in, he's seemed like one of the blandest actors and persons i've ever seen, and awefully full of himself.... seriously, what am i missing??

Color me shocked! I'm with it though!

This is it !!!...That is the key right there...and marvel has nailed it!!...Robert Downey JR. WOW !!! WHO'S THE VILLIAN?...HAS IT BEEN SAID YET?... I cant think of the names off the top of my head...but a few Billionare badguys from the 80's books come to mind... Way to go marvel !!!

I don't believe it for a second. They haven't broken any news in Xenu knows how long.

now where's Kiss Kiss Bang Bang 2!

Could happen :P

but it's perfect. But now what I'm wondering is, what else does Favreau have up his sleeves? Bringing on Oscar-caliber actors like Terrance Howard and Downey has me remembering the stellar Batman Begins cast . . . are we going to see an emotionally intense and gritty Iron Man from Favreau, BB style? . . . Man, I hope so. . .

Watch out, Robert, the white stream of congratulation is signed and in the mail!

Picking a well-known face who is not a mega-star, but has had a string of outta tha' park roles -- bravo! Great pick.

Ballsy casting indeed, I can't wait to see what Downey Jr. will turn out. Perfect marriage of character and actor, and I never even considered Downey for the part.

What can I say? Bravo. Don't miss a "A GUIDE TO RECOGNIZING YOUR SAINTS." Downey is an extraordinary talent.

Good choice.

This will completely change Downey's career. I think if he gets in good shape, and stays rehabbed.....he'll do an awesome job. Cool choice.

I read it and went, "huh?" Is he gonna be all manic, scatterbrained, twitchy, and constantly muttering like Downey is in every movie?

My jaw just dropped after reading his name. Wonderful casting. BTW, "Kiss, Kiss, Bang, Bang" was great.

I am actually excited for this movie now. Downey has been given the bum's rap and I think he's perfect. I am not an Iron Man fan but if Downey is playing him, I will give it a serious look.

I'm so souped. What a great idea. Good luck, guys!

Is Tony a burnout ex drinker? Is he supposed to look 20 years older than he actually is? I could knock Robert Downey Jr out with my unit. I would rather see Morton Downey Jr in this role.

Seacrest out!

He's gonna be in a robo-suit, dog. Those abs ain't gonna show up no matter how cut they are.

I don't think Iron Man will be the blockbuster the execs hope it to be. My favorite Marvel Hero is Iron Man and I collected the comic since the 70's but even a great performance by Downey won't help it perform at the box office.

This is an excellent and inspired choice. For people wondering if Downey can still bring it, check him out in "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang." Great call, Mr. Favreau.

I wonder if he's free for filming next year... [rubs chin pensively]

Stark couldn't be Adamantium Man or something stronger than iron? With all that money, shit, he could probably invent the strongest metal of all. Instead however, he opts for iron. Whatta cheapass. In all seriousness though, Downey is a great casting choice. I believe he'll bring another dimension to Stark's inner turmoil, which kind of reflects his own life and struggles. Awesome.

Why does Hollywood continue to trip over themselves to save this drugged up loser?

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

I can't imagine this working.

By Andrew McCarthy?

Although, by the third film in the series (if there is one), Jr. will be 50 years old. Kinda weird. But a great casting decision. My ticket has just been sold.

I mean that affectionately. I think it's great that for this one day, you all agree on something. Of course, somebody will get all negative any second now but until then, it's nice. I got one question on behalf of the comic strip illiterate. Is Iron Man really supposed to be a whiny sissy? I always heard that name I thought he was supposed to be sort of a cool, tough, non-Robert Downey Jr. sort of character. Because he's fucking made of IRON. Unless the name is supposed to be IRONic. But since it looks like every single one of you loves this casting I must've guess wrong. So congratulations everybody, enjoy.

I get that experience whenever the baristas ask me what size coffee I want from Starbucks. I feel like suck a tool saying "grande" instead of "medium."

...that's not a bad suggestion ganymede. I can actually more readily picture Howard as Stark than I can Downey Jr.

Damn you, subliminal advertising...

My cat has like 7 titties and I am so alone

...I thought that 'Elf' and 'Zathura' were pretty well-cast. I also recall hearing Will Ferrell say something about how Favreau sort of pushed him out of his "comfort zone" when directing him, so I have some measure of confidence in Favreau as far as getting the right performer/performance goes. At the same time, I just can't picture Downey as Iron Man at this point. It's not so outrageous a casting decision that I'm offended by it -- maybe partially because I'm not a terribly huge fan of Iron Man to begin with -- but I feel like there's probably someone better out there. Who? Don't ask me for *constructive* criticism. I guess somebody with more of an Errol Flynn quality, as vague as that sounds. But anyway, I'll be interested in seeing how Downey handles the material. I'll give Favreau this: casting him as the lead in a blockbuster franchise took some chutzpah.

I was flabbergasted to read the news! Holy cow! I trusted they would pick someone good. But this is just brilliant casting! Whether you like the casting or not, you gotta admit it's damn interesting.

He has the the moral ambiguity down and the darkness to have Tony's self rightous fascism come into the light. Fuck the Civil War, I shouldn't even be able to think this way. THE VILLAIN IRON MAN LIVES ON!!!!

Downey kicks ass. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang was great.

Pierce Brosnan. He played the drunkard well in Matador. But you know what...Downey is a brilliant choice!

That'd be a pretty cool Dynamic Duo right there. And by Dynamic Duo I mean Tony Stark and Jim Rhodes, not Batman and Robin. Although I would pay to see that too.

hate new talkbacks!

hooray for Downey!!

This fucking sucks. Stark is being played by a closet homo. Childhood raped.

...about this (should've answeredmy cell when it rang and I would've known hours ago), and I'm really impressed by the reaction (well, from everyone but bringing sexy back or whatever his name is). Amazingly open minded for a comic book movie talkback. Downey will own this role. He's perfect for it. And with Howard as Rhodey, this franchise has dramatic legs to rival Batman Begins. Color me psyched.

What makes it sound good is if they do the whole Tony Stark alcoholic thing and the baggage Downey brings to it offscreen. But for those who don't follow Downey's offscreen antics, is this goona resonate? I'm not sure I see it. Downey has never really brought charisma to a role, in my own opinion. He's a talented actor, yes. But he doesn't scream Tony Stark or Iron Man to me. Still, an interesting choice and worth seeing the movie just because of it.

This is excellent casting. Trust me, Downey will bulk up for the role even though he doesn't need to. He's done it in the past before. He could be a real bad ass. I'm surprised that TBers aren't pissing and moaning more, declaring that their only choice for the role would be CRISPIN GLOVER! No whining in a talkback???? Wow, this is strange. Then again, TBers rejoiced over Snakes on a Plane, and look what happened with that debacle.

I wonder if he's free for filming next year... [rubs chin pensively] Also, I hear tell that if we get ENOUGH signatures on our *official* petition, he will replace Heath Ledger as Joker! C'mon, fanboys! Huzzah!!!!11

http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m176/karbugvw/ironman.jpg -VanDammit!

That's some really good fucking casting. Iron Man is simply the exterior, representing what it is that Stark wants to be. In reality, he's human beneath the cold metal exterior. Downy would be perfect for the role because he is able to show the need to be invulnerable with the frailty underneath. Good casting. Damn good casting. I cannot wait to see this movie!

Wow, Downey JR as Stark Imagine the possibilties What if there was a Civil War movie 10 years from now Mcquire and Downy JR

Don't go chang-in..../ To try to please us..../ We want you just the way you aaaaaare!

an even better actor for the role would be BRUCE CAMPBELL! yea that's right i went there

Other than that, he's perfect.

The more I've thought about this over the past few hours, the more I think I like it. Sure, Downey's 5' 6" or whatever, but so is Tom Cruise...and he's made a few action films I think. And yeah, Downey has played the sissy in a couple of roles, but he also completely owns everything he does. Why can't he be cold and brooding? I think if anyone can transform their normal state into a character it's Downey (Gary Oldman is much the same but is a little too senior to play this role), and not in a manic, psycho-confused Wesley Snipes sort of way. I was in the Billy Crudup camp before...but I think this is going to be good. When it's all said and done, though, I think the commercial potential for this movies relies solely on the first few teaser trailers.

Now I am excited, maybe a comic book movie might have a little drama in it

like i always say, the script has to be good as well. if it sucks then what you've got is Fantastic Four.

Yep.

I'd heard that the Mandarin was going to be more of a "businessman" type. With a lot of countries fighting over nano- and biotechnologies in order to corner the market on trade in the future, that's actually semi-topical. If I had to guess, I'd say that he's going to try and replicate the Iron Man armor in the movie, therefore making him somewhat less "Fists of Fury"-oriented. Whether the actor they get to play "Mandarin" has a background in martial arts will probably be a non-issue. Then again, who knows (besides for Jon Favreau)?

Downey Jr. is an EXCELLENT actor and I am now extremely pumped up about this movie! Hah! What great news! Can't wait to see how it pans out, because Downey is an actual actor, and if they get a good script, anything's possible. This is about as good as casting gets, folks!

tiny comedic actors playing superheros, IRONic indeed.

I think AINC is full of shit until I hear it from a mag or another source then Im taking this with a grain of salt.

Hooray.

I love it. But I must say its a hell of a gamble by Paramount. www.obsessedwithfilm.com

Okay. 300 will be pretty. Wolverine is still a big question mark. Ghost Rider will be terrible. Spider Man 3 will be serviceable. But this news on the heels of renting Zathura this past weekend, is fucking phenomenal. This outdoes my excitement of Micky Rourke as Marv and Ron Pearlman as Hellboy tenfold. Yikes. Just yikes. This is going to be the movie that will re-excite Hollywood about Marvel, and while some duds are bound to follow, I have total faith in the Comic house's alliance with Paramount now. (Sure, Tom Cruise a major star in a Viacom owned property? Gimme a fucking break.) Now don't you dare fire Brad Grey, Sumner Redstone, you hear me? Don't you DARE... or who gives a fuck. Go ahead. Just let Captain America happen on his watch.

Sorry, it felt wierd not to have a negative, cynical talkback.

...just sayin'. Get a junkie to play a junkie. Like Johnny Depp in BLOW or Val Kilmer in WONDERLAND. But, now they have a star, I guess it will take another 2-10 years to make it to the screen.

I know people say Depp for everything these days, but I totally thought ole' sunkencheeks was a shoe-in for Tony Stark.

...about the "Keaton-like choice." IMHO it is a very inspired selection.

...which is still my favorite Robert Downey, Jr. movie. Of course he's been great in other films, but I'm partial to the above.

the boy can brood, so no worries there. I'm really excited by this, as good as Bale for Batman, imo. He's a fantastic actor and will no doubt rule in the suit.

Part of the problem with well known actors playing superheros is if the hero wears a mask or helmet, the actor doesnt want to go through the movie with their face covered. Most modern actors would argue that what's an actor without his face. There may be a few exceptions like Batman & V for Vendetta but I can't see Downey keeping on the helmet for long.

Perfect. Now don't fuck it up Downey.

Good choice Mr. Favreau. First in getting Adi Granov to do production work and now getting someone who fits the role. So, do we get the'Demon in a Bottle'storyline somewhere in the movie?

I'm going to burn every copy of Jon Favreu's movies!!! Even RUDY!!! I'm going to piss on Paramount's doorsteps!! How dare they hire a former druggie to be my Tony Stark!!! Sacreligious! This film is going to suck!!! I won't buy a ticket! I won't see it! Never! Why? Because I know it's going to suck because of this casting and because I saw a picture of Iron Man on the internet that is supposed to be the movie version and it's probably going to be crappy CG and I don't like the eyes on the helmet and I think the red is too red and the yellow is too yellow!!! Fuck Favreau! Fuck Downey! Fuck Paramount! ****************************** Okay, there, now it feels like a true AICN talkback. That felt good. Whoever said it was right, just didn't feel the same without the preconceived pissing and moaning. The universe is now balanced. GREAT CASTING! Can't wait to see what they do with it.

Downey Jr. + Terrance Howard + $100 million budget(Jon Fav's direction) = Great comic book film. Should be sensational. Tough luck for Billy Crudup. Should've taken the HULK film. :^P

"Iron Man found drunk and passed out in Franklin Richards' bed."

The last name I was expecting to see but fuck yeah! Downey Jr is one of my favourite actors of all time and I can't wait for Zodiac and Fur. I thought they weren't gonna go with cruise because he was too old and then they cast someone older. Guess Cruise is officially too mental

it's been a while since i've seen a super-hero role cast this on-the-nose. could marvel have their first great non-x/non-spider franchise?

First off i had no clue why in the hell they picked Downey untill i read the "method acting' quote from some one elses post. This isn't going to be IRON MAN-as-superhero movie. It's going to be the IRON MAN-AS-BOOZE-ADDLED-JOKE movie. Or whatever substance Downey would like to try to get "INTO" the role. I WILL MAKE A PRIDICTION/BET RIGHT HERE AND NOW AT AICN!!! DOWNEY WILL GO BACT IN TO HEAVY REHAB DURING OR RIGHT AFTER THIS FILL HAS FINISHED SOOHING!!!! As for him looking like Tony, Maby if he was anorexic! (Once again i know my spelling sux, DEAL WITH IT!!!) Now to the less glaring stuff. Downey as a billonare ladies man? Hell Steal James Spader off of BOSTON LEGAL and dye his hair black. I could go on but it's late im tired and thought of Downey getting any pussy that isn't drug ridden and skanky is going to kill any boners i'll have for the next 5 days!!! Night all :) !!!

...great fucking movie, adn great fuckign choice.

Ballsy too. My interest level in this movie just got raised considerably. I mean I'm an Iron Man fan, but gotta admit I wasn't an optomistic one when it came to the upcoming movie, but damn, this is a hell of a piece of casting. If all their choices are this smart and ballsy then we might really be onto something after all...

Matthew Fox....Matthew Fox....Godammit!

since Hugh Jackman as Wolverine - this will rock . . . now, for the casting of Rhodey . . .

But this is the most positive talkback on AICN I've ever read. Usually this place is generally a pit of venomous bile. As a long time lurker, I have to admit I'm very impressed. Same goes for this casting choice. As many others have already said, Bravo. By the way, love the guy three or four spaces above me who admitted his spelling was atrocious and than admonished everyone else to just "deal with it." How about you be the one to deal with it? A remedial English class and a spellchecker might be a good start.

Is my memory poor, or did Downey appear as Jesus in an ABC miniseries/movie? I can't find it ANYWHERE and I'm pretty positive I've seen it. It was awful and I can understand why he'd strike it from his IMDB credits.

Robert Downey Jr has been en fuego lately. Just one fantastic performance after the next. While he may not immediately pop to mind when thinking of Iron Man I think he is more than qualified to play the role and Im a picky mother fucker.

I think the irony here is great. Remember the whole failed actor portraying a Robocop like character bit in Kiss Kiss Bang Bang? Anyway definately looking forward to this!

The world is not ready for this yet.

I know Downey's worked pretty consistently even through the dark years, but it was really with KISS KISS BANG BANG and SCANNER DARKLY that I remembered how awesome he is onscreen. The guy just registers in a way that very few contemporary actors do. Suddenly excited in this one. And who knew there were so many other RD Jr. fans out there? Very cool.

Great choice

Ed Begley Jr, I can see, but Downey?!

taking shots at the guy for troubled past. Fact of the matter is, he's a Hollywood actor, and you're all just a buch of faceless internet losers.

Depp and Downey are the two best actors in America today, great casting choice. Oh, and thank GOD they didn't cast Tom Cruise, THANK GOD!!! One more thing, FUCK Sean Penn too, overrated hack.

Best bit of comic book casting work since Christian Bale got in the Batsuit. I hope to Christ this is true because he would be PERFECT. Props to Favreau there.

This is an un-mitigated disaster! I cant think of anyone worse to play Tony Stark than Robert Downey Junior? WTF was Marvel thinking!?!? When I think of Tony Stark I think machoism, intellect, and a stern back-bone. Do any of us think of any of those things when we think of Robert Downey Junior? The little creep is a 5'9"! Robert Downey Junior, a super-hero? Larger than life? It's incomprehensible. Will they shoot the movie from the inevitable drug-rehab clinic which Downey will eventually end up in? This casting now tells me how much money and energy Marvel is willing to spend on this movie...none. Is this really the first choice the head-honchos at Marvel wanted? I cant imagine the producers at Marvel were sitting around one day, and Robert Downey Junior was the first person who came to their minds. I had high hopes for this movie. Now I know it will be trash.

Doesn't matter, that's why he has that suit. LOL!

Downey Jr. is teh cool - I completely agree with everyone. Favs will do it. This could really become a great movie. I'm very positive.

Count me in. Now if they can just get a great script and the suit right. No ultimate style for me. Gotta go classic style suit, then build to something wild. Dont start off with it.

RDJr - Playboy, baby. Right down to the substance abuse. If directing is 70% casting (debatable, but likely), the sky's the limit with this one. I'm paying.

The reason everyone is excited about RDJ as Ironman is because 1) he's a the fucking shit and we'll watch him read a phone book 2) it would be a 2nd rate batman movie if they cast a model 3) robert downey jr is real and so is stark and that's why the casting is perfectly inspired. Ironman could so easily be seen as a rediculous Power Rangers/Batman Ripoff/Robocop piece of shit... but they are going a whole other route with it and it's not just going to work but it's going to be amazing. Sure, back before batman was big, i would have cast Tom Selleck as Tony Stark. But today it would just be a ripoff of Batman. They need to make sure that when the suit is off that the person is interesting. THAT is what RDJ brings to Ironman that makes us all cheer! Ironman is only as interesting as the reasons Tony Stark puts on the suit. That's why we need RDJ. Fucking best fucking news since I've read this site all these years!

is my favorite movie of all time. so. you know what i feel of Robert Downey Jr. hey, now both him and Val will have played superheros. hehe. poor Val. he got stuck in the one with nipples. lol. oh. i want Kiss Kiss Bang Bang 2 so bad, just to hear the behind the scenes teasing on this subject between those two. lol.

Fuck you. Everyone makes mistakes, and he's tried his best to make up for his. Ever had to cope with alcoholism or drug addiction? No I didn't think so you sanctimonious prick. Now. Downy as Iron Man? Hell yes I can see that, that is inspired casting, the man is a vast reservoir of talent and it's about time he got recognised

I never would have even considered Robert Downey to be in consideration for the role. This is probably the smartest and most daring (but perfect) bit of casting I've seen since Christian Bale was cast as Bruce Wayne. I'm not the biggest IRON MAN fan, but I know the character of Tony Stark, and I know that Robert Downey Jnr. is, like Johnny Depp before PIRATES OF THE CARRIBEAN, an extremely talented actor that hasn't yet been cast in a big event film - I can't wait to see how this turns out. Jon Favreau, you now have my attention.

Good choice. Now don't make the costume look as shitty as the Green Goblin or Doctor Doom masks. It better look so much freaking better than those.

Though I still want to see Tony as a hilarious drunk ala "ToyFare".

into the might see it. I'll watch anything with Downey in it. <p> BringingSexyBack, are you Brokebackcowboy in disguise? you post the same way he used to.

Downey should be great at doing the whole tormented Tony Stark thing. Best casting since they made Charles Heston Moses! :)

Could this be the best casting decision all year..? Certainly the most mature one since Bill Bixby was given a shot at David Banner. Nice one Mr.Favreau. You just made a lot of fan-boys very happy. Now go away and don't come back till you have made the best superhero movie in the history of cinema.

sorry about that. <p> I thought he got banned for some ridiculously offensive anti-zion rant involving goy's, anchorites' sister's arse, how zionists are destroying the world, and bush being a cunt. <p> loads of people seem to have been axed in that TB. Now, if they will only ban zfisk and the shill-shit-sites brigade then it will all be better.<p> and fix the TB, of course.

I am jumping up and down about this news. Downey will be so perfect it is mindblowing. And one thing the geeks here need to know.. there are alot of Downey fans who will go see this movie who would never have gone to see this kind of movie. Ok I will confess... I am only seeing this movie because of Downey being in it. And I am sure I am not the only one. The only other casting in the past that comes anywhere near as perfect is Michael Keaton as Batman. That was perfect. He was the awesome. Downey will be in the same class. I cannot believe that the powers to be in Hollywood finally got something right!! AMEN!!!

i think he'd be better as banner: http://tinyurl.com/rv4qn http://tinyurl.com/lw6c8 what do you think? dalton circa rocketeer WAS tony stark but i'm optimistic about this choice.

Kick ass choice, Favs! Aged, but still youthfull -- I think that was the criteria. And Downey nails it. I agree Terrence Howard would have been cool too, but I think Downey's perfect.

Remember when the Tom Cruise rumors as Iron Man were circulating? Dodged a serious bullet there.

what a silly name.

I want looooove, just a different kind...

This absolutely works for me. Never would've thought of it in a million years, but as soon as I read the news it just clicked into place. For all of you who disagree...man, if you can't see RDJr playing a somewhat-self-centered playboy type with substance abuse issues, ethics issues, and heart problems then you're just not trying.

lame

anytime soon.

I'm with Vern on this one. What a weird choice. Well as long as he casts Matthew McConaughey as John Carter I don't care what he does with Iron Man.

Yeah, he's a good choice. And he has more acting chops than most (I'm looking at you jabberwookie). And if you don't like it? Hey, at least it isn't Nic Cage!

..having crimson dynamo or obadiah stane as the primary villain and introducing (setting up) mandarin for the 2nd movie?

I like the casting. And whoever that guy was who posted in the BLACK up there, Tony Stark is not some sniveling sheepish verclempt sorta guy. He's a multi-millionaire industrialist. You don't have success in the world of munitions by being a limp wrist. Yeah, I said it. You read it. Tony Stark's a big enough man he can get a woman pregnant by staring at her.

Verrrry unexpected, but awesome!

Took me a second to picture it, but yeah, I think this is a pretty good casting, because Downey can act. Not that we need to see too much acting, the action scenes will be CGI and he'll wear an Iron mask. But Downey could pull off a very different and contemporary Tony Stark. This is at least as cool as Christian Bale as Batman. Real actors as Superheroes, sounds fine with me.

Robert will be perfect. He can sell a man fighting addiction with ease. It is awesome to see he can use that troubled part of his life to further his craft.

I liked Kiss Kiss Bang Bang especially when he got bang banged by Val Kilmer in the tush in one of the cut scenes in the "extras" session. But he will make a good Iron Man. I love Iron Man. I love it. Love him. Love them. I'm physically infatuated with this decision. Oh, and its too soon because RDJr is a sexy tomboy beanpole with flaming nipples.

I never would have thought of casting RDJr in this part, but as soon as I read it I knew this was going to be awesome.

"Well, those Spider Man movies were big, you know? What nerdy, smirky actor can we get, sort of like Toby McGuire, only a little older? Robert Downey Junior? Cool! Now who can we get to play a whiny nag who looks like Kirsten Dunst?"

Since Dax Shepard in "Zathura!" Oh wait....I mean WTF?? Being drunk does not good casting make...the only way this would be worse is if Bat-Killer Clooney was gonna wear the suit...

I think this is an excellent choice. The interplay between Howard and Downey could really be something to see, especially in this juicy, geeky setting. I'm just worried that the dialogue could play out a little campy and then we have another Marvel "B" movie. If anyone has a link to the script, I'll be your best friend. I'll even give you my desert from lunch for a week. I'll give you copies of all my notes Biology class too.

Don't get me wrong, I love RDJr. and I think this is a bit of inspired casting. It reminds me of the approach to "Batman Begins" and how the casting reports generated a lot of positive pre-buzz. Well, for RDJr.'s sake, lets hope the first film is good enough to warrant the assumed sequals.

kind reminds me of Keaton as Batman - not what you'd expect, better than you could hope. Beware, geeks: Favs is stock his flick with ACTORS!

Shaq as Steel.

but this is better.

mori's right: downey's a great actor. and who cares what he looks like? if the movie's any good, he'll spend most of his time behind a frickin mask.

One of the most underrated movies of past years.

this is going to be so good!

great casting job by the folks at marvel and its director. downey is perfect for the role. can't wait to see what type of supporting cast they put around him.

...and if so, how will it look? Will it be, umm, downy?

Next they'll cast John Ritter as Deadman.

downey will be great - damn ballsy onconventional choice and a hell of an actor i can see him as a mid aged moustachious tycoon with an alcohol problem

Somwhere in a darkened room Affleck lets out a chuckle

NOW this feels like an official TB!! ^_^

BeeRock beat me to it; disaster averted.

Mel Gibson or Tom Cruise would have been great too and may even have been cast, but at this point I guess they'd have huge salary demands along with their own requisite baggage. Favreu probably chose Downey not only for his acting skills but also because he won't be demanding a $20 Million Dollar salary off the bat. It's a Tobey Maguire type choice.

... they didn't hire some Gen-X'er. Downey has some mileage on him. He's a legit adult. Shocking.

If RDJr. pulled off that little dance he does in the mall scene from "Weird Science" while wearing the Iron Man suit. That would be the ultimate tip-of-the-hate to Geekdom. *** Ian: This party's lame, Max! Max: What about the girls? Ian: Girls, shmirls!

While Robert Downey Jr. held me down... Wow, what an unbelievably bad casting decision. Ok, first let me say that I truly believe Robert Downey Jr. can effectively portray a tortured man whose life has been deeply affected by substance addiction. After all, RD Jr has been playing that role throughout his entire CAREER. RD JR also seems to have a penchance for playing manic homosexuals but I'm getting off topic... My biggest problem is with RD Jr's ability to portray the man that is Tony Stark. You know, the Tony Stark who braved the jungles of Vietnam to lend his talents to the US war effort against communist hegemony. Yes THAT Tony Stark, the strapping self-made billionaire industrialist and playboy with a face reminiscent of Hollywood's leading men of yesteryear? I simply do not see RD Jr playing a man's man who seeks to defeat the demons of his past from within the confines of a futuristic suit of armor that effectively transforms him into a modern day 'knight in shining armor'. When I think of Tony Stark I think of someone who has the appearance of a young Sean Connery, Errol Flynn or Clark Gable, not some dweeby, shifty eyed freak. It's clear Downey Jr was cast because they're going to seriously play up Stark's substance addiction, oh joy. However, just because a man is an alcoholic doesn't mean he has to resemble a bubbling, effeminate, manic, here-let-me-help-you-with-that-reach-around type of wuss, an archetype RD Jr is so frighteningly good at playing. Sure, Michael Keaton pulled off Batman but it's not as if he didn't have the tools to do the job. Piercing stare, check. Stoic or scowling expression, check. Stern, gruff voice, check. 'Don't f--k with me you criminally insane punk' attitude, check. Keaton had everything needed to play Bruce Wayne except for the healthy hairline and the stature and that was easily compensated for with make-up, wardrobe, camera angles and clever staging. On the other hand Robert Downey Jr. has none of the physical or vocal qualities needed to play Tony Stark. RD Jr. is the furthest thing from a super hero I can think of. Way to go Marvel, rip my favorite super hero a new one so large you could fire a repulsor through it and not hit the sides. If Favreau and Downey Jr. is the best Hollyweird can do for good old shellhead then let this poor hero forever remain in print and animated form. But hey, what do I know? Fantastic Four was a poorly cast and written piece of excrement that did shockingly well at the box office so maybe Favreau's Iron Man has a shot after all. Oh wait, FF was released when there was NOTHING in the theaters that appealed to teenagers and twenty-something geeks. FF succeeded by default, NOT because of the merits of its content. For Warner Bros. sake I hope they have Iron Man lined up for a quirky Fall or Spring release because it will be destroyed during the usual avalanche of Summer and Winter releases. Mark my words, Favreau's Iron Man is going to bomb like Little Boy before a fish head and rice breakfast.

Robert Downey Jr. with Starks pencil thin gay 'stache...oh the horror!!!!!

Tom Selleck...Magnum PI all the way!

the score includes the title song from the second cartoon: "I AM...I AM IRON MAN...I AM I-YEEERN MAN!!!" ^_^ Don't let me down, Favs! AND FORTIETH!

You can figure out the rest later. Bulk him up. Slim him down. Whatever. But you can't make Matthew Fox more brooding. You can't make Wes Bentley more expressive. I think too often they start with the look and it's not until later that they figure out if the person can actually pull off the other part. You know, the acting and stuff.

Go rent Wonderboys you'll see...

http://tinyurl.com/plnaw atleast he can grow it ... no matter what ... the movie has been elevated more than ever before ...long live iron man

It's been said already, but I'm totally freaking out at how overwhelmingly positive and amicable this TalkBack has been so far. It's like I stumbled into some sort of Bizarro TalkBack, where most of the posts are reasonable and optimistic. What's going on?!?! But it's pretty cool, so keep up the good work, TalkBack dudes. Hooray Exchange of Ideas!!!

holy shit bsb, but you're right: http://tinyurl.com/zta9d that's tony stark right there alright. p.s. are they gonna have ghost face killah on the soundtrack? they'd better...

Ken Watanabe or Chow Yun Fat. Both are mainstream Hollywood actors at this point and familiar to general audiences, so I suspect that one of WILL likely get cast. Since Chow Yun Fat is currently shooting POTC 3, he may have the most 'heat' or 'buzz' at the moment so it may be him.

This movie has instantly become a must see.

I read this right when I woke up and though it said Harry Connick Jr. This is much better.

We need RDJ to do this scene too. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9ScHbq4Qb0 "What you mean, on the telephone?!" That has Tony Stark written all over it. ;)

I won't get too excited. They'll probably have Downey handing the (or a) suit over to Will Smith sometime in the middle of part two. They'll fight the villain(s) budd-cop style, Iron Downey will be killed and Iron Smith will vow to avenge him in part 3.

iron man is not superman or batman...he's an alcaholic egomaniac. someone earlier said iron man was "stern backbone" type...well not really. He's a rich dude with issues but unlike bruce wayne is not the always self assured type. This is PERFECT casting.

Inspired casting. I'm officially exited about Ironman now. Robert Downey Jr. is one hell an of an actor! Excellent!

Will someone please read a comicbook pre-Civil Bore? Iron Man is NOT an egomaniac. Tony Stark is NOT an egomaniac. He's not even so much a playboy. Sure, he's got some women, but he's not anything like Bruce Wayne's public persona. Wayne's persona is of a frat boy. Stark's is of a successful CEO of a multi-national munitions / engineering corporation. He's one of the most RESPECTED men in the Marvel Universe. Captain America RESPECTS AND LOOKS UP TO AND RELIES ON him. How many men does Captain America RESPECT and LOOK UP TO AND RELY ON? This is the worst part about Marvel under Quesada. Loved his work in Iron Man's own title at the start of volume 3 but when he left that to takeover as EIC Marvel turned into crap. Pure crap. Iron Man is a good guy. Gosh darn. I hate you all.

Downey is NOT a great choice. Sure, he is a fine actor, and very good at playing characters who are on their way down. But Tony Stark is a Gatsby-type character who has a crisis of conscience and still retains that overall persona. Downey is too old for the part, mousey, not to mention SHORT, and has no real physical presence. Downey can play the Whizzer or the Porcupine. That would be a better choice. :) This kind of sounds like a joke because AICN needs some hits on its page.

It's such a classic film. That little dance he does in the mall when the 2 girls aren't looking cracks me up everytime. And let's not forget this classic line: "Do you realize it's snowing in my room, Goddammit???!!!"

This school would be much cooler if we had a picture of the car the Tony Stark will drive in the movie. Or a picture of the craft services truck or something.

I haven't been reading Civil Bore, but I will take your word that they've played Tony all wrong just to get their "point" across (it's the Nu Marvel way!). However, Tony was/is an egomaniac in my mind. Egomaniacs can still do a lot of good. Tony was always pushing others but hiding personal problems and trying to retain his identity as Iron Man at all costs.

He's perfect for this role. Favreau is definitely trying to establish a good franchise. So far this sounds a lot like Batman Begins. I'm being totally serious. This next statement? Not so much: GEORGE TAKEI for Mandarin!

Downey is childlike and emotionally fragile. That is not Stark, I don't care how good of an actor he is. Stark is the overconfident type who things come easily who who takes a fall and engages in some self-examination. He has a strong sense of personal identity and responsibility that pulls him through. Downey plays people who spiral down into decline, because, well, he's familiar with it. In fact, this seems to be sort of mining Downey's own past to make the audience sympathize with the character. Really, kind of trite.

I'm guessin' though, we won't hear anything until Indy 4 comes out ;)

won't be Donnie Yen. I can't see Favreau picking him for a large mainstream villain part, and remember, somebody who will be able to stand his opposite both good actors, Robert Downey Jr. and Terrance Howard, without getting figuratively shoved off the screen. Because of Downey and Howard, the villain now needs to be an acting heavyweight as well.

I really, really hope the armor is the red and gold 'shellhead' from the 70s and 80s-- no Manga/Transformer style retooling-- make it the classic iconic Iron Man suit.

check it out: http://tinyurl.com/frouf

...I don't know what you're talking about. But since you seem to be so keen on calling me a "nazi" and a sucker of various cocks, you leave me no choice but to own you for the rest of your TB life. Good job, fuck-o.

That would be ok with everyone here, right?

Stark : "Mandarin! It was you the whole time!" Mandarin: "Yeesss." Stark: "Why are grabbing my iron hard ass?"

...you're better off picking one that I didn't just post 4 comments ago. Just a suggestion. I and I alone lay sole claim to "GEORGE TAKEI FOR MANDARIN!"

http://www.imdb.com/gallery/granitz/4970/Events/4970/RobertDown_Kambo_9161305_400.jpg?path=pgallery&path_key=Downey%20Jr.,%20Robert Not.

Maybe Jude Law can play a kinder, gentler, Captain America? "Oh, you evil Nazi, you just need a hug!"

Robert Downey will not be playing himself. He will be playing a role. He's a good actor, so I'm sure he can be bad ass and smart as well as tortured. According to Tv guide, he worked out and grew a goatee to convince Favreau that he could pull off the look. His acting will do the rest. Excellent choice.

I never said I was joking, just agreeing with you, and if you think calling dibs on a joke will give you some sense of self worth, then go for it.

I implore you to keep on eye on Jar Jar 4 Prez. This little imp has taken to calling me a "nazi" in various TBs because I may have hurt his poor little feelings in some other random discussion. As I'm sure some of you veterans will agree, Jar Jar 4 Pussy is one whiny little bitch and a miserable excuse for a TB handle. So, I thought it best to bring this to your attention with the hope that you will witness his vain attempts at "getting my red up". Are you ready to testify? I also thought it was in your best interest to know that he sucks Ann Coulter's cock. That's right. Ann Coulter has a cock. And Jar Jar 4 Pussy sucks it.

actor. Wow, wonder if he'll be able to wiggle his face and act haltingly in that iron suit.

Before you ask if anyone has read the comic, and tell them to try reading before some current lame-o storyline, perhaps you should try reading some from before, say, 1995. Stark has traditionally had quite the ego.

watch this IRON MAN figure, can definetly see robert in here! http://tinyurl.com/qlkcw if they can nail this Iron Man armor on film im gonna wet myself

You're right Dum Guy, there's no need for a territorial dispute over a joke. You can have the joke monday through thursdays and I'll get the joke fridays and weekends. Deal?

what about holidays?

I get the joke on the federal holidays, you get it on religious holidays. Custody on overlapping holidays shall be determined by a naked wrestling match. Sound good?

Iron Man just doesn't have the audience that Spiderman and the X-Men have. This is going to be another Daredevil (which wasn't too bad, really). It's going to take a HELL of an interesting movie, like Blade 1 was, to keep a franchise going.

I claim any Chinese holidays, like New Years (and I'll also take Jewish holidays).

Production be put on hold due to him going in and out of rehab????

Even though Judaism is more of a neurosis than a belief system (I'm half a jew so I can get away with saying that). Anyway, Dum Guy, Rosh Hashanah doesn't officially begin until sundown (I'm on the east coast) so technically, the joke is mine for roughly 3 more hours. GEORGE TAKEI FOR MANDARIN!!!

...and happy Rosh Hashanah!

... the finale where he's in his armor but the helmet's all busted up or whatnot so we get to see his angry, brooding face. Or he has to take it off to see something because he doesn't believe it, or who the hell knows, but the mask/helmet WILL be off at the end, you wait.

I thought, damn that Robert Downey Jr. should be Iron Man. I think it'll make an interesting movie, which is more then I can say about 90% of the movies coming out. Also, correct me if I'm wrong, but won't Terrence Howard's character take over the suit someday, and If either one of those characters delivers the opening dialogue from Hustle and Flow, bout, pink hardon's while in captivity I will buy 100 copies of the DVD

then all the nerd fans sites in the world will collectively EXPLODE

Daredevil and Catwoman should have taught studios that 'big name' celebrities don't make good superheroes these days. At least, not when they are THE title character. And how do they play to secure Downy for any sequels? If Iron Man is a hit, Downy is going to make them pay through the teeth (if they aren't already) to sign him up.

It's about goddamn Mothafuckin' time a great casting choice has been made in Hollywood. I'm happy that this shit is happening, because Downey is one of those actor you just never get tired of and I hope he knocks the role out of the park.

Tony is supposed to be an alpha male. He's supposed to be the kind of guy that would make NOW write angry letters to the production demanding they have a sensitivity consultant.

Downey has more talent in his left nut than Affleck and Berry combined in their whole bodies. I think it is a great choice. Hopefully the suit and script can be good. I am actually excited about this one.

*Real* macho men get dressed with the lights on. Or something...

This guy would have been absolutely perfect for the role. At least 10 or so years ago. I dunno how he's looking now because I haven't seen him in anything in awhile. But there is still the possibility that he could have done it. Every time I saw him in a movie i'd think of Tony Stark. I dare you to say he wouldn't have ruled in this role.

Wow. What a horrible choice. What is he, like 50? Maybe 15 years ago we he wasn't phoning it in and when he WAS on drugs. Seriously, could you ever have imagined Robert Downey Jr. in the Iron Man armor hanging with Captain America? Jesus Christ. Is Paul Reubens available?

they didn't cast some douchebag like Ben Afleck or Will Smith. RDJ isn't exactly one of my favorite actors, but I'm at least glad I get to watch an *actor* play Iron Man than a cookiecutter 20 year old prettyboy.

Well I can't touch lines like "go get your dollar and a six pack," but you can't blame a guy for trying. Just trying to lighten the mood, douchebag. Also, I'm not sure what the clothes Downey wears in real life have to do with his qualifications for playing Iron Man, regardless of how "metro" or outrageous they look. Then again, you're the one with the rapier wit, so please enlighten us.

Downey is friends with Mel Gibson, and he's the world's worst anti-Semite! Boycott!!!

is gonna be drunk on set.

They cast a man, and a good actor to boot. I am so sick of boys or boish men, being cast to play the Marvel Super heros. Makes me think there is some hope in hollywood

ienfsefnskvshakespearkdf

that's right. moustache. i went there.

1.) He's got some kind of "gayness" vibe to him. 2.) He was a drug-addict. 3.) He has poor fashion sense. Man, what damning critiques. When I first read the news I became excited because RD Jr. was an extremely gifted actor. What a fool I was.

Anyone who grew up during the Hughs era of films better have "Weird Science" down as a classic. All I have to say is, "Chicks can't hold the smokes, that's what it is!" Now what is all this about with Jar Jar? Judging from what I've read from him. One could ask him, "Over-react much?". Anyway, if anyone including could give a link to the script, it would be much appreciated. I just want to see what kind of dialogue Howard and Downey have to play with. It could really make or break the film.

Then, we can build a treatment center right on the set. It'll save lots of time that way.

What a stretch. You people confound me. You praise "actors" like tom cruise. You praise drug addicts and alchoholics like downey. What a load of crap. How many "regular" people get out of prison to do work? None. This loser needs to be thrown to the side. What's the matter Hollywood? Don't have any men left? Maybe if you would figure out who to actually cast as Iron Man. 10 years ago Timothy Dalton would have been perfect. Now, we get this crap. I'm as excited about this at Hulk 2!

it went from incredibly positive last night, to incredibly negative today. do bitchy fanboys go to bed early or something?

What's with the pussyfication of hero's? Emo-softies. And I've always thought the whole Iron Man character was kinda lame to begin with. A rich alcoholic who's powers come from his suit? Sh1t, man, anybody with that suit could be a hero. Cap had the serum (aka HGH) but he had to fight the Nazi hordes. Iron Man fights some cheesy chinese old guy, who's powers come from rings! Without their bling these guys are weak.

Superninja... hiding your own faults and demanding a lot from others doesn't make you an egomaniac. It makes you a human being. I've read every Iron Man comic ever published ever. So whoever that crazy one armed midget was who said that I should read something before 1995... a simple math lesson. 1963 < 1995. Scoreboard you silly little red headed hooligan. And who said something about RDJr sucking a guys dick and demanding respect? I like RDJr. I think he can pull the character off. I didn't say he as a normal joe would demand Caps respect, only that Tony Stark does. Its called acting. You know, you guys are good at it. You act like little bitches all the time. Now shape up or Superninja will hit you with his prosthetic yanker. Wooo hooooooooo!!!

I went from, ehhh maybe Favs can pull it off with somebody to WOW- CAN'T FUCKING WAIT! RDjr is so ballsily terrific. The mere fact that Favs wasn't pushed into getting somebody under 30 alone gets me juiced- Robert Downey Jr. is such a great actor! Now if the story can hold up I'll be very excited. Not a big fan of the Mandarin (like a gay Red Skull) but in FAVS I TRUST!

Methadone is a hard drug to kick! Also, there was no "poor me" schtick in my last post. Also, that's the only thing you chose to respond to? Whatever dude. But you know what you're talking about; after all, you really have my number with that whole methadone thing.

Casting history has been made. The studio has to be eccstatic about this response. I say good for Downey, he's a very easy actor to get behind and I'm glad it looks like hes finally put his personal problems behind him. Now he can settle in to the excellent career he deserves.

They're mirror images of each other. Tony Stark is a millionaire playboy who pretends to be a stoic badass when he's in his superhero guise. Bruce Wayne is a stoic badass who pretends to be a millionaire playboy when he's in his non-superhero guise. With that in mine, Downey is the BEST CHOICE. Now, who is playing the Mandarin? (confirmed- last I heard- as the villain in the first movie)

To pay off old debts. Just Wondering.

He didn't even have a chance with that dog of an Ang Lee piece of trash.

and you my sir, have hit the nail on the head. yes. bitchy fanboys do have an early bedtime. they have to get up early for school the next day, you know. thought still, this is the single most positive response for any internet entertainment news ever. and well deserved.

I'm glad you're so perfect. You know... he did drugs... what's the big fucking deal?! People get drunk. People get fat. People sit and watch TV all night long. People play WOW and lose their jobs. Get a clue. People get addicted to shit. Big fucking deal! You want to throw away someone because they fucked up. Get the fuck out of these TB you arrogant son of a bitch! Movies are for people who are flawed... without flaws... there are no stories to tell. If you can't get over a story tellers flaws(and it's not like he hurt anyone but himself) then you don't get stories. Now go back to watching your illigal child or animal porn you are probably addicted to. Being an amazing actor despite his fuckups is why we all especially like Robert Downey Jr. Pretending to be perfect and knowing it all is why we DON'T like Tom Cruise. Please don't put them in the same category ever again.

Really, the whiners and haters are comical. This is a DAMNED good actor, and one who has lived the life of his character (the troubled addict part, not the punching Chinese warlords part, near as i know). Bravo. We coulda had one of the American Pie guys in this role if it were up to the studio, or up to you morons who want to do nothing but tear this man down.

That drug addict is gonna be Tony Stark?

yo!

I must disagree with the comment about RD Jr having more talent in his left nut than Affleck and Halle have in their entire bodies. With all due respect, there is no greater talent than that which resides within Halle's breasts!

I can't see the dorky kid from "Back to School" being iron man. Downey = this phails.

That motherfucker is vicious. Take your best shot, bud...

He's so Tony Stark.

Marvel seems really anxious to put out a bunch of movies for horrible characters I hate. Silver Surfer, Namor, Ghost Rider, and Iron Man? So at this rate, we can expect Power Pack, Speedball, and She-Hulk by 2010 (not to mention Benifer 2.0 threatening another Daredevil/Electra movie...oh the horror). I guess I find Downey interesting, but I hate Iron Man. If they do Iron Man "wrong", I will probably like it more than if they stay true to it. The dinner for five guy is okay in my book, and I wish him luck. If this is a good movie, I'll be pleasantly suprised when I watch it for the first time on HBO. The only reason I would consider seeing this in a theater is for Downy. Batman and Spider-Man, I'm looking forward to. Iron Man? Not so much.

My face lit up when I read the name. Downey Jr is a great actor. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang was a great movie. Inspired casting.

apparently, he was very aggressive in trying for the role. I think it's a good choice for the part; Downey's a great actor and I think he'll pull it off...

Matthew Fox as Tony Stark.

He might still be involved, why are people saying he should have been Stark? Now who's playing the Mandarin? Because that could really make or break this. Hope it's someone good because I'm more interested now than when I was referring(sp?) to this as Iron Zathura.

I HOPE sincerely that Downey will do great as Tony Stark, he's a good actor and he can do it. But, to Favreau: DON'T FUCK WITH THE IRON MAN PLEASE, we've eaten enough crap lately with superhero movies... Just don't do this movie turn to another shit...

You're ignorant. The majority of medical community consider addiction to be a disease. What's next, trashing Magic Johnson for having HIV? Also, it always disturbs and pisses me off the way people so readily dehumanize someone who has dealt with or is actively dealing with an addiction. The person is treated as though they have no past, no family, no hopes, or any worth at all as a human being. They're just a "filthy junkie". It's depressing.

Given that superhero movies and other big budget flicks haven't made the kind of money that a Spiderman 2 made, combined with the fact that Iron Man isn't an instantly recognizable character, my sense is that exceptionally strong acting will be the one thing that can bring people to the theatres. Because of this, Robert Downey Jr. is a kick ass choice for Tony Stark and I am well pleased!

i have never liked this guy in any movie. i guess we will have a smarmy self important jerk as tony stark. well that kinda fits. but remember when most people thought timothy dalton would be a perfect tony stark? yeah, wimpy heroin boy looks sooo much like that. geez, what about the bully from the karate kid for thor while we are at it.

I wish this was Iron Mail. Love ya Robert.

You will not find ANYTHING in any TB that supports Jar Jar 4 Prez's allegations. He's just being a brat because I've picked on him elsewhere. Normally, I don't do this. However, Jar Jar is a grenade-throwing troll who likes to pop into TBs and snipe at people. As a consequence, I've made a marginal effort to take as many jibes at Jar Jar as I see fit. I do so because I find it amusing = he has absolutely nothing constructive to say. Now, as for this "nazi/racist" accusation, I really have no idea where this comes from. Like I said, you will NEVER find a statement from me anywhere on AICN that supports this. But Jar Jar seems to think I was taking sides (or something) with someone he was flaming in another TB. Therefore, I suppose I'm lumped in with whatever poor sod he was trying to slam. WHATEVER!!! I'm pretty sure that all I told him to do was shut the fuck up and go back to his hole. The fact of the matter is that he's a silly troll who deserves the dubious distinction of being ranked among the likes of Ginger Twit, zfisk/homewrecker, and Ringy.

....I read this on Yahoo News yesterday and it made no mention of you have an "exclusive".

You hate Polynesians??? HOLY SHIT!!!

They're starting to squeeze every bit of superhero franchise they can now. Soon The Atom movie. Sub-Mariner. Plastic Man. Hawkman, Giganta, lol.

what?

http://www.mtv.com/movies/news/articles/1542004/09292006/story.jhtml

Our story was up before either trade could confirm, and that MTV story you linked to just uses THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER as a source. It was our scoop. We had it online well before anyone else. And in the future, when you see people cry about stolen content, just remember how many places actually linked back to where the story broke, and how many did not. Same as it ever was.

You guys barely even try anymore!

He could be good, definitely has more acting-chops than is required for a superhero movie, but let's all be honest, for superhero moviess we want the actor to look as CLOSE to the real guy in the funny pages as he can, yep it's shallow to basse it on looks but for comicbook hero films, the guy has to have some resemblance, even if not perfet. Downey frankly looks like a half-puerto-rican/half Keanu Reeves type person, not the burt-reynolds/pierce brosnan looking Tony Stark? This is the Michael Keaton syndrome , casting a good actor who doesn't really look the part, at the time of this relesae i'm sure downey will kick it out of the ball park, but years from nnow whenn the film ages the reality will set in. We need a Christian Bale to be Iron Man, not a Michael Keaton.

I've heard the secret of comic-book movies is that you don't cast the superhero, you cast the alter ego. That's where the actor can really shine. When you think about it, the audience isn't even going to see Downey as Iron Man - it will be stunt doubles and CGI. But as Tony Stark, Downey will immerse himself in the role and give a great performance.

I hate Downey Jr. He plays the same person in every movie. Seriously.

we posted the story 25 hours before yahoo. look at their timestamp before whining incorrectly...

I think that would have been absolute perfect casting. Downey I think can do it, but I would much rather have seen Jim Caviezel get picked for this role. I think he is a bit under rated.

story in his myspace post? YOU STOLE THAT FROM AICN, JON FAVREAU! I bet you never pay for your movie dinners either.

Rosario Dawson as Pepper Potts??? Another actress who would be great in some role, any role, would be Sarah Polley ...

Eastfist, last thing we need is Nicholas Cage in another film. It's bad enough he's in as many as he currently is. Good casting with Downey in this part. For Mandarin....that dude rom Big Trouble in Little China ;) "Shut up Mr Burton! You were not brought upon this world to get it!" ...ahhh memories haha

I am glad I am not alone in liking Sarah Polley. I have a crush on her right after she called that guy in Dawn of The Dead a "Dick". Actually....that means there is competition. SO FUCK OFF!

An Ambush Bug movie starring Simon Pegg would be a nice cap to this present superhero craze.

Metro, by the way, does not mean gay. It means an extremely vain straight man who can out chick a chick. Metro superhero, por ejemplo? Booster Gold.

superhero film? Someone who actually takes advantage of the medium and stops playing around in the recycle bin?

Downey will finally prove that you don't need some muscle-head to make it real-real.

Look at how skinny Peter Weller is, but when he put on the Robocop suit, he was fucking massive. If Downey Jr bulked up, he would look ridiculous when the suit went on. It would be far too bulky

I was hoping for Caviezel to get the role, he would be perfect. If they are not afraid to cast someone this old (Downey Jr.), considering there would be sequels, then why not Caviezel as SUPERMAN?? Just pretend Superman Returns didn't happen, it's not too late...

I believe Change how we look at Heroes. Rumours are that the 4th villian is Spiderman himself and that parker loses the battle within. The days of the Patroic hero is over. I remember the mauling that End of Days got becuase arnie being a patriot was never allowed to play a flawed hero. yet bruce willis just about carried it off. 16 blocks was not a perfect film. So I think it is a good to cast some in the role of a flawed hero someone who has flaws. There is nothing wrong with that.

Hell Yeah

No longer excited. And that's sad because I... was... a fan.

It had all the elements of comic book film and had a character whos whole fantasy world was based on comic books and he happened to be a very obsessive man with a patholicag need to test . At the end, though, night, who must have seen this movie at test screening, got so exasperated at the audiences inability to think at his very high level, that he gave the audience what they wanted. Which was an explanation. During the entire film it looked as though Bruce was Heroic but it was explained at the end that this was at Sam Jackson's doing. That werent superhuman feats they were more like tests. and the only weakness that Willis had in the movie was fear of water. Unbreakable is more a supernatural/spiritual movie but it has a comic book theme running through it. You see M nights downfall has been his utter arrogance and refusal "explain his films to anyone" bar himself.

I'm liking this idea. Terrence Howard would have been an even more interesting choice, but Robert Downey Jr. is just as good. Jim Caviezel might have worked, but this is better. Adriana Lima as Wonder (teen) Woman, ehhhh, I say keep looking.

No matter what Movie Marvel makes. No matter which cast they choose, who they get to write there films, who produce, they are on to a loser. Turning Marvel into a film company has been it seems, something of a disaster for the company. There are dreams and then there is reality. I have no interest in seeing The punisher, the trailer was enough, and it was as rotten as crate load of rotten tomatoes. These movies have alieniated the lovers of the comic books. There is a thing called artistic licence. the exception has been Spiderman. but again, there are those who cant stand the movies. Who think maguire is all wrong for the role of peter parker. there are those despise Kirsten Dunst and come on to this give out about how ugly she is. They go on about how fat Brryce dallas Howard is. or how wrong a person is for a role and that he actor in question, might be gay or the director or actor or whatever. The question beyond, Brett Ratnerr's hackness(if he thinks Chris Tucker is funny enough to put in three films, that is his problem and thak god for the remote control last night i was able to turn off the bit where Chris Tucker destorys the fifth element. end of rant) , has never been answered and it is this. What was the reason for the vile and indeed ugly campaign against ratner and x-3? Ratner inherited a mess created by the studio and did the best he could with an awful situation. In there Superhero edition, Empire Magazine talked to Brayn Singer and Singer said that Superman returns 2 or whatever it is going to called will be a much darker and much more action filled affair. all bets it being the revenge lex luthor, i will take them now.

but Tony Stark would've never sucked dick for coke

i cant fucking wait for this to be made and in the cinemas as downy jr is an amazing actor anyone who saw chaplin or the singing detective will know how awesome he is!!!! i am just glad they didnt go with tom 'uphill gardener' cruise

I though there was an issue with insuring robert downey jr. due to his past behavior? Like high budget films couldn't get financed on the account that he may end up in jail or flake out. Like Wynona Ryder. Has that type of thing been overblown?

I think it is the one where his dog got into his stash and Busey followed it around snorting the dogs fur all night. Something like that.

you must be some serious jaded acting failure or something. you never have any good to say about anything. you keep hating everything, but you still watch it all... what the fuck is wrong with you? go find a new hobby man. stop wasting your money on shit you hate. then the rest of us who enjoy watching shit can enjoy talking about it without have a douchebag like you spoil the party. you are like that dick assistant manager dude on The Office. the one with his mouth up his boss's asshole.

http://www.geocities.com/denniverse/pix/ironman128.jpg

Anybody want to know what ol' Don Murphy thinks of this? Here you go = quote: "For those asking me- Robert Downey will be a great Iron Man and the film will lose all of its money with a great actor who has never opened a movie and a poor director. If the film flops, Marvel loses its rights to the character. If I were a stockholder I would be very worried."

...concerning Terrence Howard. Downey will be great too. Choice between the two depends on the intended tone for the film.

I see your point, but IMHO, if Downey taps into what he did in that film, he can pull this off. In Less Than Zero he played "a type" of suave, playboy addicted to drugs. Throw in his vibe from the movie Restoration and he nails this IMHO.

AMEN

and if anyone is still at the Jazz TB WELKER DID NOT GET THE JOB sorry siebertron F'ed up and I jumped the gun.

I really wanted Weird Al Yankovic to play Tony Stark. You KNOW you love how he looks in a moustache! lol

I don't have a problem with Downey, but as Stark? It bad but somehow at the same time good. I've been thrown for a loop.

And I was hoping for some sort of Talking Heads reference. Imagine my disappointment.

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000633/

Donnie Two chins is back on siebertron looking for attention its funny how a rich Hollywood producer has nothing better to do with his time then to try to bait me into a argument probably 6 in the morning. Maybe if he spent more time on the treadmill he would have better thing s to do with his time. hell brett Ratner loks like crap and he still gets ton A+ poon

tons of A+ poon. and at probably 6 morning.

...and here's why: First, a lot of the folks calling foul on this casting seem to be doing so bevcause they feel playing a gay man or a man with homosexual tendencies somehow makes an actor gay and that somehow makes him incapable of playing anything but gay men. What's even funnier is that some of these same folks are demanding pictures of Downey's semi-naked form to demonstrate how he's buffed up (to play a superhero whose powers derive entirely from an armored exoskeleton, by the way). Then you've got a contingent of folks who claim Downey doesn't posess any of the attributes Stark posesses (which means, apparently, that they should never make movies about anyone who doesn't actually exist...someone should've warned Raimi before he made those doomed-to-failure three movies about the kid who could climb walls and shoot webs). "But no!" this contingent will say. "We're talking about character traits." Okay. Let's do that. Tony Stark, as depicted in the classic stories, was a billionaire industrialist but also something of a dandy. He was metrosexual before anyone knew what that word meant. He'd rather confound his opponents in the board room with witty banter than by tearing off his shirt and flexing for them (and even his physical feats as Iron Man were not attributed duirectly to him as he let the world believe Iron Man was his bodyguard and did all his fighting for him). He liked to party and couldn't tell when enough was enough. He slept around because he couldn't find Ms. Right. All of this sounds vaguely familiar. That's right...Downey's played characters JUST LIKE THIS his entire career. And Downey brings that added perspective of personal experience as a man whose own failure to cope with excess leads to his downward spiral and near collapse, from which he has to hoist himself to triumph over his own demons before he can win any public battles. But, yeah. You're right. Downey probably wouldn't have any frame of reference for that. So is actually being a billionaire and an inventor (or mogul) a prerequisite for this role? Is that why everyone is so hot on Mel Gibson or Tom Cruise? Whatever. Another reason this talkback rules? Bringing Sexy Back finally managed to impress me. That "Blow job" thing was comedy gold. And, finally, this talkback rules because if you look at individual posts by unique posters (and ignore the compulsive multi-posting of a naysaying few), there's overwhelming support here for what is clearly one of the smartest casting decisions in comic book movie history. It gives me new hope for the movie/comic geek hybrid species and for the future of the genre. Way to evolve, guys.

nuff said.

Do you have a link to that? Murphy's an ass.

While I'll admit Christopher Reeve was great as Superman, possibly the best cast supeerhero along with Hugh Jackman as Wolverine,the movie itself was HORRIBLE!!! How about the scene where he jumps out the window as Clark Kent "ace reporter" then his Superman suit magically appears on him. Craptastic stuff there.

hardly takes advantage of the medium in terms of scope and imagination.

Maybe RDJ is the world's best method actor? I don't know, but using a guy in and out of rehab to play an alcoholic seems very trite. How could it possibly be good for Downey to pretend to be under the influence again and get into the part? Personally, I think it's ridiculous.

At the time it was quite ambitious and given the technology available today, the lack of imagination is almost staggering. Lifting bigger and bigger stuff over your head is not spectacular without any investment in the story or character by the audience. Someone needs to marry the visuals of Sky Captain to a good story and great direction/pacing.

MOST FANTASTIC NEWS I HAVE EVER SEEN POSTED ON THIS SITE! KNOCK IT OUTTA DA PARK, DOWNEY!

THAT IS FUCKIN' PERFECT...

Its a good, creative choice. Its great to see that the studios aren't wimping out on hiring great actors for these roles. Now, lets hope everything comes together on the Watchman movie (which I am praying is gonna work...regardless of who directs)!

No offense to Robert Downey, Jr. Really, I wish him all the luck... in his fight against his addictions. Good lord, ...if he read enough negative criticism against him at such places as aintitcool.com, he might struggle a bit more (against his addictions). --Look, he's a fine actor. He can be a fine addition to a movie when properly casted. And sure, his addictions are public knowledge. But having a past with addiction doesn't make him perfect for Tony Stark... because Tony Stark is much more than his addiction. In fact, Tony Stark is a man's man (if you know what I'm saying). Even the strongest of characters, ...characters of great internal strength, can fall to addiction. And Tony Stark is an example of that, ...the Tony Stark that I remember. I feel that Tom Selleck could have brought a rich history to the character... of both great success and failure... and a reality to the character's heart problem. Sure, Selleck is over 60 years old now, but he could have been so right for this role. --I feel sorry for my brother, who avoids Downey's movies. He's an IRON-MAN fan... but I know he will skip this one. And that's sad.

This is the first time in... shit, actually the first time EVER, that I have been interested in seeing this movie. Go for it, Robert.

I just watched Downey in Good Night and Good Luck and I still couldn't see it. He's just not young or confident enough to me.

...about this not being good for Downey from a physical or psychological healthe standpoint. But my point is that Downey is good for the production. And it may just be that Downey draws some personal ispiration from the story of his character, who -- as someone above just pointed out -- does rise above his addictions to become more than he was. I simply disagree with anchorite on Downey's looks and mannerisms not being appropriate for Stark (I htink with the right facial hair, he can absolutely nail the look and his mannerisms vary from performance to performance). But time will tell which of us is right on that.

If Robert Downey Jr. could pull off a great Clark Gable impersonation then he'll nail this part.

I see Downey as a chameleon type of actor (see CHAPLIN). If a part calls for him to play a guy that looks like he stepped down from a movie screen from a 1940's movie, a devil may care man's man, who likes his whiskey undiluted, his haircuts short and business-like, his politics conservative, his cigarettes unfiltered, his women looking like something off the cover of a pulp detective story, well I think that Downey could pull that character off. But the most crucial thing isn't only how Downey will play Stark, it's how Jon Favreau envisions Stark who will direct Downey in how to play him. Now, in a perfect movie world, Favreau would have offered Clooney the lead who would have been perfect for the part, but Downey IS an interesting choice a la Michael Keaton as Batman.

Somebody hop in a time machine and bring back Clark Gable and Tom Selleck (in their prime)... and have them both screentest for the best option. -- Maybe I'll catch this RDJ flick on cable some day. Then again, maybe I'll just skip it completely.

Aaron Eckhart would have been a good choice as well. His character in THANK YOU FOR SMOKING is basically Tony Stark without the conscience, engineering genius and the red and gold armor.

Give me a break, they are similar types of personalities and artists. It turns out RDJ is no innovator, but that's like saying it's a stretch for Carrey to play Kaufman, and that because he can play an innovator, Carrey is now one too. Tony Stark is tall, debonair and a man's man as has been said. RDJ had never come close to playing such a character, which leads me to believe Tony will get the metro makeover, Mr. Sensitivity deep down, blah, blah, blah. Where is Ayn Rand's Iron Man when you need it?

be playing superhero parts. The Aaron Eckharts, Hugh Jackmans, Clive Owenses and Terrence Howards of the world.

right now. Similarly, this would be akin to casting Spike Lee as T'Challa.

It's all in the chin

The issue is the script.

but i like robert downey jr same caliber actor can carry any movie.

...harrysuxafatone. So does your stupidity. Please, continue to entertain us.

Iron Man just will not stand up to the hollywood treatment. Be prepared for Robocop the next generation. Mark my words...

.

...moustache: check; swagger: check; wealth: check; alcoholic: FUCKING CHECK!!!

if he'd gotten the role you would complain that it was a sell out to make Tony Stark a black man!!! WTF are you on about now, he'd be better for the role than Downey? Y'all have shit for brains.

Vincent D'Onofrio, James Caviezel, Dennis Quaid, David O'Hara, Alec Baldwin, George Clooney, Tom Selleck, Brad Pitt, Val Kilmer, ...shall I go on?

The others I could see, maybe (though I think Pitt and Kilmer, and Clooney, though he's great, would ultimately be wrong choices), but Vincent D'onofrio? Jeezus.

got a pdf file of a THOR feature film script and it is AWESOME. no idea how to post it

Tom Selleck... in his prime... would be the absolute best pick, I feel. But we can't go back in time. --Some of the names (I previously mentioned) were stretches, I admit. But at this point, they're stretching so far that Tony Stark is ripping in half! (Vincent D'Onofrio has great range and is underestimated, as an actor. Maybe he's not quite the "man's man" we're looking for, but wouldn't you chose him over RDJ?) I think a pick like Aaron Eckhart, Ted Levine, Tom Selleck, Billy Crudup, or Edward Norton would make me giddy! Heck, what is Michael Biehn doing these days???

Respectfully, RDJ is not the right actor for Tony Stark. The script is especially important, but RDJ is not a man's man. The Ayn Rand comment was a joke, although I watched the hilarious Fountainhead the other day and wondered what her take on Iron Man would be. Probably hilarious (unintentionally).

and Jason Statham as Iron Fist.

as Black Panther.

ala lonesome dove outlaw years, NOT will&grace! his character in DOVE had the chops to pull Stark off(I'm sure Will could do the same). As far as RDJ smokin pole I think that was just his character in less than zero, not in real life, although he was in prison for like a year.

As much as I've always loved Iron Man, it would have absolutely ruined the movie for me if Tom Cruise would have been cast as Tony Stark. I feel that any actor who has been in several movies stops being a character and they just play themselves. Tom Cruise would not have been Tony Stark. He would have been Tom Cruise as Iron Man. Nicholas Cage as Ghost Rider is another example. Robert Downey, Jr. is a better casting because he isn't as recognizable. A Robert Downey/Gwyneth Paltrow collaboration is interesting and I hope they have an on-screen chemistry. I would hate for this movie to to become another Daredevil or Punisher and be panned by the critics.

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