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Casting Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man was Marvel’s legit roll of the dice—and it changed stuff. Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige calls it the “biggest risk,” a move that could’ve sunk the MCU before it launched. In 2008, Downey’s past struggles made him an unconventional choice. However, director Jon Favreau and Feige saw his charisma as perfect for Tony Stark’s genius and flaws. As Feige put it, “The risk was not casting him.” Now? It’s clear: Downey defined the MCU.
At the time, Marvel Studios wasn’t the entertainment powerhouse it is today. The studio was taking a chance on a lesser-known character to lead the way. Feige knew Iron Man had potential, but finding the right actor was crucial. Downey’s name was considered, and Favreau backed him as Stark from the get-go. Yet, it was a bold choice: Downey had never been an action star or a “marquee” headliner. But soon after casting him, they knew it was a win. Feige says, “Without Robert, we wouldn’t be sitting here today.”
What followed was nothing short of a superhero legend. Downey’s Stark became the MCU’s cornerstone—a character fans loved for his mix of wit, grit, and deeply human flaws. And Downey didn’t just nail it; he redefined it. Over the next decade, his Tony Stark became the beating heart of the Avengers team, with Downey steering Marvel’s rise to pop-culture domination until Avengers: Endgame. Stark was a man in a suit of iron with a mind of steel and, as audiences learned, a heart of gold.
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