Robert Downey Jr.’s casting as Iron Man in 2008’s Iron Man movie was a pivotal moment in the creation of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). However, it was far from guaranteed at the time. Marvel Studios took a significant risk in casting him due to his personal struggles, with many uncertain if he could carry the role of Tony Stark, the “genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist.”
At the time, the MCU was a relatively unknown venture, and the pressure to launch a successful superhero franchise was high. Despite this, Downey Jr.’s performance quickly became iconic, and he went on to portray the character in ten MCU films, solidifying his legacy as Tony Stark. Although he seemingly bid farewell to the role in Avengers: Endgame (2019), it has been announced that he will return as Doctor Doom in Avengers: Doomsday.
Before Downey Jr. secured the role, however, several other actors were considered to play Iron Man. Some of them were even tied to the role at various points during the casting process. The story behind these near-casts is a fascinating one, with some actors who were either approached, considered, or even turned down the part of Tony Stark.
Would you like me to list some of these actors or provide more details about their involvement in the casting process?
