Marvel has picked Robert Downey Jr. to play billionaire-turned-metallic superhero Iron Man, AKA Tony Stark, in the John Favreau-directed comic adaptation slated for 2008.
Variety reports the long-awaited casting bit, after years of speculation (Justin Timberlake as Iron Man?) and start-stop pre-production woes. Now, with Paramount set to release it as the first self-financed Marvel production, the "Iron Man" pic is finally set to begin.
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From Variety:
"In the comics, Stark was an alcoholic, a trait that will undoubtedly draw public comparisons with Downey’s own struggles with substance abuse. However, Feige said the first pic won’t deal with Stark’s alcohol problems, though it would likely come up in potential sequels.
First film will deal with Stark’s invention of the Iron Man suit and his conflicted past as a weapons inventor."
Favreau may have up to $165 million to play with, and what director wouldn’t spend as much as he can get? Production is to begin next February.
