Many fans attribute the multi-billion dollar success and the current global fanbase the MCU possesses to the casting of Robert Downey Jr., in Iron Man. Downey Jr.’s performance as Tony Stark, the ‘genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist,’ was the foundation on which future MCU films were built around and he received a deserving farewell in Avengers: Endgame.
Looking back at the mammoth success Marvel has had in his wake, it is interesting to know that Marvel was opposed to casting Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man. In fact, director Jon Favreau had met with many actors for the role of Tony Stark before he went with Downey Jr. One of them was his future The Mandalorian actor and Deadwood star Timothy Olyphant.
Robert Downey Jr.’s Excruciating Casting Process
While it is impossible to see anyone other than Rober Downey Jr. as Iron Man in the MCU, his casting needed a lot of convincing. Iron Man was in development since the 1990s, with even Tom Cruise being attached to the project as the lead actor and producer at a point. The rights were with Universal Studios at the time, who then sold the rights to 20th Century Fox, who were making X-Men films.
After Fox sold the rights to New Line Cinema, who failed to make the film, the rights returns to Marvel. They decided to make the film, making it their first independently financed production. In 2006, the studio hired Jon Favreau to direct the film.
Favreau initially planned to cast a newcomer for the role of Tony Stark, saying that the superhero is the star of the film. However, the director was blown away by Robert Downey Jr.’s screen test. He believed that Downey Jr.’s own experiences as a controversial celebrity would aid in his portrayal of the character. But Marvel was opposed to the casting for the exact same reason.
Despite fierce opposition, Favreau stood his ground and would not take ‘no’ for an answer. The studio finally gave its approval and Robert Downey Jr. was cast as Iron Man.
Also read: Despite $300,000,000 Marvel Paycheck, Robert Downey Jr. Claimed MCU “Atrophied” His Acting Muscles
Timothy Olyphant As Iron Man
Before Robert Downey Jr. was confirmed to be in the cast, director Jon Favreau met a bunch of actors for the role. He had approached Sam Rockwell for the role, however, he ultimately appeared as John Hammer in Iron Man 2. But in a recent interview, Deadwood star Timothy Olyphant revealed that he had auditioned for Iron Man.
Talking to the people at The Playlist, Olyphant described his process of auditioning for Tony Stark and said that he has fond memories of that experience. He mentioned that he was a bit scared of the things that come with success and said,
“…but that was the time where I remember thinking, ‘Well, I can’t get any more grounded and so [auditioning for Iron Man] would be fun. I think prior to that I was like, ‘Oh, I don’t want those kinds of problems.’”
He mentions that his talks with Jon Favreau were part of the appeal for him and that he had tremendous respect for Favreau. Answering whether he held any grudges against Favreau for passing on me in favor of Robert Downey Jr., Olyphant said,
“[Jon Favreau’s] just a good dude. And so, if you’re going to go down that road, you’re not going to find anyone better to go down it with …It was an enjoyable process…And, well, he’s the one who hired me for [The Mandalorian], so he doesn’t owe me anything.”
Well, Favreau seems to have made it up to him as Timothy Olyphant has since appeared as Cobb Vanth in The Mandalorian, a Star Wars show that was created by Jon Favreau.
Source: The Direct
