Iron Man without Robert Downey Jr.? The actor was set to play another Marvel character

Robert Downey Jr.’s name will forever be associated with that of Iron Man because, over 11 years and ten films, the actor brought Tony Stark to life. With this role, he not only won the hearts of fans, but helped cement the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s place in popular culture.

However, the interpreter was to give life to another character from the comic book house.

Robert Downey Jr. auditioned for another Marvel role before ‘Iron Man’

In a video celebrating the 15th anniversary of the release of ‘Iron Man’, Jon Favreau, the film’s director, revealed that the billionaire founder of the Avengers was not the first choice for Robert Downey Jr. .

Downey Jr. reportedly auditioned for the role of Doctor Doom in the 2005 film Fantastic Four.

Although the role eventually went to Julian McMahon, his performance stuck in the memory of the executives, so when the auditions for Tony Stark began, they did not hesitate to call him.

Favreau recalled how Downey Jr. had “that spark in his eye and he was ready,” which confirmed his determination to cast him as the superhero who launched the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Now, 16 years after the release of the first Iron Man movie, there isn’t a fan who can imagine anyone else in the superhero suit.

Kevin Feige recalls how ‘Iron Man’ helped create the MCU

Although Favreau’s revelation is a year ago, it has resurfaced in the media in recent days.

Additionally, it coincided with an interview Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige gave to “Deadline” recalling Tony Stark’s beginnings.

In it he said that when they announced to the public that they would release these stories, they were poorly received. “People thought, ‘Well, can you do anything with these characters besides the main ones if you don’t have Spider-Man or X-Men?’ “People thought Marvel had nothing else.”

However, both he and his team stood firm knowing that “We’ve got 8,567 other things (stories),” so it wasn’t necessary to bet on the most well-known characters.

The bottom line, he said, is that it doesn’t matter “how many (comic) issues you sold or how famous the cartoon show or the live-action series was in the ’70s, but how attractive you can make the character and how much new experience of a world you can bring to the theaters with this character.”

In what order should you watch the Marvel movies featuring Iron Man?

For those who want to relive Tony Stark’s journey or enter Tony Stark’s world for the first time, here is the recommended chronological order to watch the films:

• “Iron Man” (2008)

• “The Incredible Hulk” (2008)

• “Iron Man 2” (2010)

• “The Avengers” (2012)

• “Iron Man 3” (2013)

• Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)

• Captain America: Civil War (2016)

• “Spider-Man: Homecoming” (2017)

• “Avengers: Infinity War” (2018)

• “Avengers: Endgame” (2019)

Can you imagine Robert Downey Jr as another Marvel character besides Iron Man?