Somewhere in The Multiverse, Kevin Feige’s Top Choice Became Iron Man

Casting Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark in ‘Iron Man’ stands as one of Hollywood’s riskiest yet most rewarding decisions. Despite Downey Jr.’s undeniable talent showcased in films like ‘Chaplin’ and ‘Zodiac’, his struggles and time away from the limelight made him a gamble for a major studio blockbuster. Building a new franchise, let alone a vast cinematic universe, around him could have ended disastrously. 

However, Kevin Feige’s decision proved wise, as a decade of critical acclaim and box office success for the MCU would attest. Interestingly, Downey Jr. only got the role because Feige’s first choice, Clive Owen, declined.

Also Read: Why Marvel Cast Robert Downey Jr. as Dr Doom

Feige initially wanted Owen, but he wasn’t interested in joining the nascent MCU. Given the mixed success of superhero films at the time, it’s understandable. Owen, then at the peak of his career with an Academy Award nomination for ‘Closer’, was a respected actor with performances in films like ‘Sin City’ and ‘Shoot ‘Em Up’. Though ‘Iron Man’ would have offered significant benefits, Owen chose to focus on passion projects with less commercial appeal, such as Steven Soderbergh’s ‘The Knick’.

Downey Jr.’s casting was pivotal for the MCU’s success. Unlike typical superheroes, his portrayal of Tony Stark was sarcastic and slightly arrogant, mirroring his real-life journey. This authenticity made ‘Iron Man’ a standout origin story. Despite being labelled “unhireable” for years, Downey Jr. revitalized his career with a compelling character arc across the MCU. His subsequent fame allowed him to pursue ambitious projects, like his Academy Award-winning role in ‘Oppenheimer’.

Casting scepticism often proves unwarranted, as seen with Michael Keaton’s Batman, Heath Ledger’s ‘Joker’, and Daniel Craig’s ‘James Bond’. While opinions on Downey Jr. returning as Doctor Doom are mixed, adopting a “wait and see” approach might be best.

–Farheen Ali