Robert Downey Jr., who is synonymous with the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Iron Man, was originally in negotiations to portray a completely different character. “I recall that you had already met with (Downey) for Doctor Doom or something on another project,” director Jon Favreau told Marvel chief Kevin Feige, according to Deadline. “I believe he had made an appearance in Fantastic Four, so everyone knew who he was.”
Favreau and Feige sat down for a retrospective look at the film that launched the Marvel Cinematic Universe fifteen years ago.
In the 2005 film, the role of Victor Von Doom was ultimately depicted by Julian McMahon of Nip/Tuck. For Favreau, casting Downey in Iron Man was the missing element that made the film successful.
Robert Downey Jr. Almost Played Doctor Doom Before Iron Man!
“He was the missing piece of the puzzle that made it all work,” Favreau said. “I recall sitting down with the individual and thinking, ‘He’s got that glint in his eye and he’s ready’. That’s when we were in your office, pointing to his photograph and stating, “We need to figure this out.”
Favreau continued, “Once it was him, my life became significantly simpler because he understood. He comprehended the character’s voice. Then, one by one, individuals began to sign up because it had become something intriguing.”
Feige stated that the “tone that you and Robert discovered on that film became, in a sense, the template for much of the MCU”
“I recall that in later films — we’ll discuss them on the 15th anniversary of their release — there were gloomy times. And I would tell Robert, “If it weren’t for you, we wouldn’t be in this mess.” That is, without him, we would not have a studio,” Feige added.