It's official: Robert Downey Jr. to be Iron Man

Posted Friday, September 29, 2006 at 10:58 AM Central

by Tim Briscoe

Marvel Entertainment today confirmed the recent casting rumors surrounding Iron Man. Robert Downey Jr. will indeed don the armor of Tony Stark in the comic book adaptation.

The film, helmed by actor-director Jon Favreau, is the first to be produced independently by Marvel Entertainment. Kevin Feige, the President of Production for Marvel Studios, said, "Robert Downey Jr. is one of the most talented and acclaimed actors of this generation. His versatility sets him apart and makes him an ideal fit to play such a complex character as Iron Man. We could not think of another actor better suited to bring one of Marvel's crown jewels to the big screen and be the centerpiece of our first independently produced feature."

The tale of Iron Man began at Marvel Comics in 1963, the creation of comic book god Stan Lee. It is the story of famed inventor and multi-millionaire Tony Stark. While a prisoner of the Viet Cong, forced to create a new weapon for them, Stark built the now famous suit to escape his captors.

The mustachioed Stark decided to use his trademark red and gold super suit -- a weapon of mass destruction in itself -- to protect the world from evil. Despite his lofty intentions, Stark fell victim to a wide array of ailments from paralysis to alcoholism.

Downey Jr., a legendary actor with a host of problems in his own past, should fit to the role nicely.

Marvel is currently casting the supporting roles for the film, including Stark's right-hand man James Rhodes. (Rumors surround Terrence Howard for the role.) Filming should begin early next year in anticipation of a May 2, 2008 theatrical release from Paramount Pictures.

Iron Man is being produced by Feige and former Marvel CEO Avi Arad. Executive producers include Ari Arad, Favreau and Peter Billingsley. (You may recognize Billingsley as the former child actor famous for his role of Ralphie in A Christmas Story.)