I am Iron Man...
I am a fan of Robert Downey Jr. Always have been a fan. He always plays quirky, flawed characters that you just can't help but love. And this despite how screwed up his real life tends to be.
I loved him in stuff like Heart and Souls and Chances Are. He was great in Two Girls and a Guy, Wonder Boys, and Good Night and Good Luck. Of course, who can forget such 80s classics as Johnny Be Good and Weird Science? And I really thought he was spectacular in Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. He was also the best Charlie Chaplin since the man himself.
But now he's been confirmed for a role I never thought I would see him take... a superhero. More specifically Iron Man.
Iron Man is not one of the more recognizable comic book superhero of all time. In fact, more people may recognize the name from the Black Sabbath song than from the comic book.
So not only am I surprised that Downey is playing the role, I'm simply surprised it's being made at all.
But, I'll probably see it. It has Downey in the title role and it's being directed by Jon Favreau of Swingers, Made, and Elf fame. Both can be pretty quirky kinds of guys so that may bode well for this movie.
Did he used to play a character on Alley McBeal? I think I really liked him on that.
Posted by: kilax | Saturday, 30 September 2006 at 07:39 PM
The Iron Man comic book character is deeply flawed, and has battled alcoholism and a number of other demons throughout his existence. Robert Downey Jr. is the absolutely perfect actor for this role, and I cannot wait to see how he approaches it.
In interviews, Favreau sounds like he really has a handle on the material, and that's encouraging as well.
Posted by: Dave2 | Saturday, 30 September 2006 at 08:04 PM
Hey, I had never heard of Elektra before the movie came out, but I'm not really into comic books (well, I lied. I used to love the Archie books).
I can't believe you admit to liking Chances Are. You rock dude. I love RDjr.
Posted by: jacquie | Saturday, 30 September 2006 at 09:08 PM
Heart and Souls, Chances Are, Two Girls and a Guy, Wonder Boys, Good Night and Good Luck, Johnny Be Good, Weird Science, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Charlie Chaplin.
Is it strange that the only one of those I've seen is Weird Science? And I don't even remember him in it?
*scratching head* Where have I been?
Posted by: Chase | Saturday, 30 September 2006 at 09:34 PM
If you liked Heart And Souls and Chances Are, I recommend Only You, an equally charming romantic comedy with Robert Downey Jr., Marisa Tomei and the beauty of Italy. You can catch it on some of the premium movie channels now.
But for a character you WON'T love, see In Dreams, with Annette Bening. Downey is creepy as a seriously f*cked-up psychopath. Very surreal. I liked it.
Posted by: SJ | Saturday, 30 September 2006 at 09:45 PM
Iron Man plays a major role in Marvel's current CIVIL WAR series, so I think he's getting a lot of popularity right now. I look forward seeing Downey Jr. in the role, I think he'll do it well.
Posted by: Eve | Saturday, 30 September 2006 at 11:25 PM
I love Robert Downey Jr. Yes, I Loved him on Ally McBeal, but adored him on Chaplin and Gothika and oh everywhere. I don't think I've seen a thing with him in it that I haven't liked.
Posted by: Bec | Saturday, 30 September 2006 at 11:59 PM
Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang was awesome and it was good to see him acting again....is he clean and sober now or still drugged up? I cannot keep up with him and/or Charlie Sheen, ha.
Posted by: Hilly | Sunday, 01 October 2006 at 02:06 AM
Kilax, he did, although I never got into Ally MacBeal so I'm not sure what he was all about in it.
Dave2, that does add a whole new level of anticipation for this movie. I may have to go back and become familiar with Iron Man. Any suggestions on where to start? Any good graphic novels or TPBs I can start with?
Jacquie, clearly you never saw the movie Daredevil as Elektra was in that. But, be happy you never saw either if that's the case. Daredevil was terrible and Elektra (I've heard) was just as bad.
Chase, yeah, where have you been? In Weird Science, RDjr was one of the two guys that bullies Gary and Wyatt.
SJ, I have seen Only You. Been a while, though. I'm not sure, however, if I've seen In Dreams. May have to check that out.
Eve, I was about to get into the Civil War series until I went into my local shop and saw nearly a dozen current titles bearing the Civil War banner. That scared me off right there. Too much investment.
Bec, I doubt I've disliked any of his roles either. Some of the movies may suck, but he still makes them watchable.
Hilly, I've kinda lost track of the sobriety status of him and Sheen as well. Seeing as how I like RDjr's movies just as much when he's high as when he's not, it doesn't bother me much anymore. ;-)
Posted by: kapgar | Monday, 02 October 2006 at 06:52 AM
Yeah, I'm catching up, back here in the stacks. This one was from the day after my surgery. And I am further certain that Alex and I could TOTALLY hang out with you and Katie and watch movies and talk books and be really comfortable. How cool is the internet?
RD Jr. holds an additional soft spot in our hearts due to his struggles with bipolar disorder and addiction disease, both of which have affected our family profoundly. He doesn't seem to be as lucky as we have been in fighting and overcoming it, but that only puts him in the majority. We are VERY lucky. With every "recovery" we are rooting for him SO much, and this latest "clean" streak has been a long one, so far. Go, Robert, go. You can do it.
Posted by: Belinda | Monday, 09 October 2006 at 12:39 PM
Oh, and tell Hilly: He's clean. Something over two years now, maybe even three. I'm REALLY pulling for him.
Posted by: Belinda | Monday, 09 October 2006 at 12:41 PM
I always want RD jr to stay clean but I never expect it to happen. Three years, eh? That's great. I hope he keeps it up.
Posted by: kapgar | Monday, 09 October 2006 at 01:01 PM