The initial success of Marvel Studios can largely be attributed to Robert Downey Jr.'s casting as Tony Stark in Iron Man. However, as Kevin Feige points out, that decision was still a major gamble at the time.
In a conversation with Cinemablend on the latest Marvel Cinematic Universe film Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Feige discussed the complications of making the original Iron Man given the mixed state of comic book movies pre-2008. "I was lucky enough to be involved in early Spider-Man films and X-Men films. But we wanted to do an Iron Man movie. And I do think, still, the biggest risk -- which seems outrageous to say now -- was casting Robert Downey Jr," he explained. "It was both the biggest risk and the most important thing in the founding of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Without Robert, we wouldn't be sitting here today. I really believe that."
At the time of Iron Man's announcement, Downey was still rehabilitating his public image following years of alcoholism, drug use and public arrests. Even with director Jon Favreau's backing, Feige noted the film represented a significant deviation from Downey's previous Hollywood roles. "Everybody knew he was amazing actor. But he hadn't been an action star," Feige said. "He wasn't a marquee star, necessarily. And we quickly realized the risk, I've said this before, was not casting him. And Jon Favreau really had that vision for that movie and for Robert in that role. That decision, and the success of that decision, I think empowered us with further risks and further choices."
The success of Iron Man ultimately led to Downey experiencing a career resurgence and becoming one of the MCU's flagship actors. Beginning with a cameo in The Incredible Hulk, he reprised the Iron Man role for eight more films, with Avengers: Endgame marking the last chapter in Stark's narrative. Alternate versions of the character will appear in episodes of Marvel's What If...?, including one where Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan) saves Stark from the missile that pierced his heart in Afghanistan. Tony Stark is one of many characters recast for What If...?. The premiere episode, in which Peggy Carter became the first super-soldier, also introduced a Tesseract-powered Iron Man suit designed for Steve Rogers by Tony's father, Howard Stark, called the Hydra Stomper.
Downey's next major role is a supporting part in Jamie Foxx's upcoming sports comedy All-Star Weekend. In addition to Shang-Chi, Marvel's other upcoming 2021 projects include The Eternals and Spider-Man: No Way Home, as well as the Disney+ Hawkeye show, which follows Clint Baron (Jeremey Renner) and Kate Bishop (Hailee Steinfeld) in the aftermath of Avengers: Endgame.
Source: Cinemablend
Kevin Feige Explains Why Robert Downey Jr. Was the Studios' Biggest Risk - CBR - Comic Book Resources
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