Could Iron Man be ‘played by almost anyone’? Robert Downey Jr fans freak out
Robert Downey Jr’s stint as Tony Stark/Iron Man ended with the last ‘Avengers’ film in 2019 as his character died.
For Marvel fans, Robert Downey Jr is the leading man of MCU and, it is slightly difficult to imagine the Marvel Cinematic universe without Robert Downey’s Iron Man aka Tony Stark.
Robert, who played Marvel superhero Iron Man for 10 years is now done playing Tony Stark and has moved on in his career with other big projects and will not return in other MCU movies, but for his fans, he will always be their charming Iron Man.
Recently, a publication The Sunday Times tweeted an opinion that stated, “Iron Man could be played by almost anyone.”
“The big titles of the past decade are brands and franchises established in numerous prequels and sequels. Robert Downey Jr is a leading man, but his Iron Man could be played by almost anyone with wit; the character is more important to audiences than the actor,” the Sunday Times wrote on its official Twitter account.
The daring tweet quickly triggered Downey’s passionate fans. Even James Gun too replied to the publication and wrote, ”I’ve seen the screen tests. This is bullshit.”
I’ve seen the screen tests. This is bullshit.
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) August 1, 2021
Meanwhile, other fans were there and called the tweet ridiculous, even some netizens did some hard job and searched and shared Stan Lee’s 2017 comments about Jr playing the role.
“I think of all of them, when Robert Downey Jr. played Stark, he was just great,” Lee said. “That man was born to be Iron Man, you know? He’d be on the top of the list.”
Stan Lee once said Robert Downey Jr. was born to play Tony Stark, also known as Iron Man. pic.twitter.com/KQogFkE9gz
— In My Mind (@MeAloneInMyMind) August 1, 2021
lmao Robert Downey Jr basically launched the Marvel universe with his perfectly played Stan Lee like smart ass playboy charisma that turned Iron Man into a massive hit. You should be fired for this moronic tweet. https://t.co/HoSV3sSrmR
— Will Brinson (@WillBrinson) August 2, 2021
What a load of bullshit.
Even STAN LEE himself said that RDJ was born to play Tony Stark, he couldn’t see anybody else playing that role.
Also if it wasn’t for RDJ playing Stark I very much doubt the last 10+ years of Marvel would have progressed past phase 1. https://t.co/hY44yeBlqw
— #MiniMesMum (@abubu1986) August 1, 2021
This is a ridiculous take. Can you see Tom Cruise (one of the contenders) pulling off this line with the same casual snark? pic.twitter.com/FGB9a6vR5f
— Hellcat (@Catherineamcc) August 1, 2021
“RDJ isn’t what made Iron Man work” is like a take crafted in a lab to draw the most rage possible
— Paul Tassi (@PaulTassi) August 1, 2021
Tell me you are a goof without saying you’re a goof. https://t.co/fmTJu4bs0T
— Gail Simone (@GailSimone) August 1, 2021
HORSE. SHIT.
Iron Man was not an a-list character to the general public. Casting Robert Downey Jr. specifically was the thing that made that movie — and the MCU — click with the general public. It is impossible to overstate how important casting him was. https://t.co/VCw6hG1DO3
— DrewMcWeeny (@DrewMcWeeny) August 1, 2021
bad take. Iron Man was not a popular hero before RDJ. The MCU made Iron Man what it is today. And they couldn’t have done it without RDJ in the role. Blatant misread of culture. https://t.co/pknBesdliG
— Gene Park (@GenePark) August 1, 2021
The actor’s stint as Tony Stark/Iron Man ended with the last ‘Avengers’ film in 2019 as his character died.