The Marvel Cinematic Universe launched with Robert Downey Jr. in Iron Man, but he almost didn't get the part. See what other actors were up for the role.
Tony Stark. Genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist. Son of legendary inventor and weapons contractor Howard Stark. When Tony Stark is assigned to give a weapons presentation to an Iraqi unit led by Lt. Col. James Rhodes, he's given a ride on enemy lines. That ride ends badly when Stark's Humvee that he's riding in is attacked by enemy combatants. He survives - barely - with a chest full of shrapnel and a car battery attached to his heart. In order to survive he comes up with a way to miniaturize the battery and figures out that the battery can power something else. Thus Iron Man is born. He uses the primitive device to escape from the cave in Iraq. Once back home, he then begins work on perfecting the Iron Man suit. But the man who was put in charge of Stark Industries has plans of his own to take over Tony's technology for other matters.Written by
halo1k
This was the only movie for Terrence Howard to play Lieutenant Colonel James "Rhodey" Rhodes. Don Cheadle was brought in to assume the role commencing with Iron Man 2 (2010). Howard was reportedly the first actor cast for Iron Man, as well as the best paid actor on set (given that Robert Downey Jr. was hardly a bankable star at the time). He was promised a three-picture deal, but claimed that he was shut out of the sequel when the studio didn't honor his contract. Although Marvel has never formally commented on the issue, according to insiders, the role was recast because director Jon Favreau was reportedly unhappy with Howard's performance, which often necessitated re-shoots. Howard himself later admitted that he declined because he was offered a much lower salary, to accommodate Robert Downey Jr's increased paycheck. See more »
Goofs
(at around 1h 6 mins) When Tony is upgrading the MkII suit to correct the icing problem, one of the screens behind him is taking a real-time transcript of his and Jarvis' dialogue. When Jarvis asks, "Shall I render using proposed specifications?", the computer screen says "utilizing" instead of "using." See more »
Quotes
[first lines]
Tony Stark:
I feel like you're driving me to court martial. This is crazy. What did I do? I feel like you're gonna pull over and snuff me. What, you're not allowed to talk? Hey, Forrest!
Jimmy:
We can talk, sir.
Tony Stark:
Oh, I see. So it's personal.
Ramirez:
No, you intimidate them.
Tony Stark:
Good God, you're a woman! I honestly, I couldn't have called that. I mean, I would apologize, but isn't that what we're going for here? I thought of you as a soldier first.
Ramirez:
I'm an airman.
Tony Stark:
Well, you have actually excellent bone structure there. ...
[...] See more »
Crazy Credits
This is Marvel Studio's first self-produced film (and the first film to set up the Marvel Cinematic Universe), so the Marvel logo is slightly adjusted: it fully appears, and then is accompanied by the title "Marvel Studios." See more »
Alternate Versions
German theatrical version was cut (ca. 4 minutes) by distributor Concorde prior to submitting the film to the FSK since they desperately wanted a "Not under 12" rating. Ironically, when submitting the uncut version for the home video release, it was rated "Not under 12" as well, making the cut version even more unnecessary. See more »
Slept on Tony with Dirt
Written by Ghostface Killah (as Dennis Coles)
Performed by Ghostface Killah
Courtesy of The Island Def Jam Music Group
Under license from Universal Music Enterprises See more »
This is the movie I have been waiting for for a very long time. I am an avid Ironman reader. I have collected the comics all my life (from #1 in 1968 to the latest in 2008)...40 years of Ironman. Since I was a kid, I used to say to my friends that they should make an Ironman movie, but everyone laughed and said that the special effects would look ridiculous...mind you, that was back in like in the early 1980's. But, now we are in the age of CGI, and what an age it is. Just for you Ironman fans, to see him come to life with such spectacular graphics is reason enough to spend your hard-earned $10. The plot is also pretty well thought out, and the acting is just fine. What better pick could you have for Tony Stark than Robert Downey Jr.? (just wait for the sequels when they can delve into his alcoholism...Mr. Downey has been there and beyond...that's probably why they chose him for the role...fore-thought)The rest of the cast is right on par, as well. The pace is brisk, and the whole thing works as a great addition to the Marvel Universe in the Cinema!! Enjoy!
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WOW WOW WOW.
This is the movie I have been waiting for for a very long time. I am an avid Ironman reader. I have collected the comics all my life (from #1 in 1968 to the latest in 2008)...40 years of Ironman. Since I was a kid, I used to say to my friends that they should make an Ironman movie, but everyone laughed and said that the special effects would look ridiculous...mind you, that was back in like in the early 1980's. But, now we are in the age of CGI, and what an age it is. Just for you Ironman fans, to see him come to life with such spectacular graphics is reason enough to spend your hard-earned $10. The plot is also pretty well thought out, and the acting is just fine. What better pick could you have for Tony Stark than Robert Downey Jr.? (just wait for the sequels when they can delve into his alcoholism...Mr. Downey has been there and beyond...that's probably why they chose him for the role...fore-thought)The rest of the cast is right on par, as well. The pace is brisk, and the whole thing works as a great addition to the Marvel Universe in the Cinema!! Enjoy!