Robert Downey Jr. is......Iron Man!!!!!

From comicscontinuum.com:

ROBERT DOWNEY JR. CAST AS IRON MAN

Robert Downey Jr. has been cast as Tony Stark and Iron Man in Marvel Studios' Iron Man movie.

"Robert Downey Jr. is one of the most talented and acclaimed actors of this generation," said Kevin Feige, president of production at Marvel Studios. "His versatility sets him apart and makes him an ideal fit to play such a complex character as Iron Man.

"We could not think of another actor better suited to bring one of Marvel's crown jewels to the big screen and be the centerpiece of our first independently produced feature."

Downey, 41, has dozens of film and television credits, including an Academy Award nomination for 1992's Chaplin. Emerging from the 1980's "Brat Pack," he was a cast member of Saturday Night Live for one season, as well as Ally McBeal.

Recent film credits include Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang, Good Night, and Good Luck, The Shaggy Dog, A Scanner Darkly and Gothika, as well as the upcoming Zodiac and Fur.

Like Tony Stark, Downey has fought substance abuse and was jailed for 180 days in December 1997. Stark's struggles with alcoholism will not be portrayed in the first Iron Man film.

Iron Man will be Downey's first lead action role. In an earlier interview director Jon Favreau told The Continuum that getting the best actor was more important than just the latest action-hero star.

"The nice part is that you don't have to go to the same list of usual suspects for casting that you would had this been a studio movie," he said. "Because this is Marvel, they trust the box-office draw of the hero itself and we don't need a name to define the hero. We need a name that's going to service the hero."

Here's how Marvel describes the film:

"Iron Man tells the story of Tony Stark, a billionaire industrialist and genius inventor who is kidnapped and forced to build a devastating weapon. Instead, using his intelligence and ingenuity, Tony builds a high-tech suit of armor and escapes captivity. Upon his return to America, Tony must come to terms with his past. When he uncovers a nefarious plot with global implications, he dons his powerful armor and vows to protect the world as Iron Man."

Filming of Iron Man will take place in Los Angeles and will probably begin in February or March. Iron Man is scheduled for a May 8, 2008 release.
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Wouldn't have guessed him. Bit of an odd choice, but people thought Michael Keaton was an odd pick for Batman and he turned out fine. Who knows, maybe Downey will do well in the role.

xman25

Jam it back in, in the dark.

From comicscontinuum.com:

GWYNETH PALTROW IN IRON MAN MOVIE

Marvel Studios announced on Wednesday that it has signed on Academy Award winner Gwyneth Paltrow to join the cast of its Iron Man movie. Paltrow will take on the role of Virginia "Pepper" Potts, personal secretary and confidant to Tony Stark/Iron Man.

Paltrow joins a cast that includes Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark and Terrence Howard as Jim Rhodes. The film is being directed by Jon Favreau.

Here's how Marvel describes the character:

"Pepper is an invaluable resource to Stark Industries, and one of the few people in Tony's life who can go toe-to-toe with him, occasionally acting as his conscience and working to keep his priorities straight as he secretly defends the world as the armored hero known as Iron Man. Below the surface, Tony and Pepper share a deep attraction for one another although neither is willing to admit it."

"Gwyneth is the embodiment of a leading lady. She brings intelligence, poise and an incredible range of talent to this role," said Kevin Feige, president of production, Marvel Studios. "We could not be more excited about the great chemistry this illustrious cast will bring to Iron Man."

Filming on Iron Man is scheduled to begin in Los Angeles in March for a May 2, 2008 release.
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xman25

There's nowhere I can't reach.

From marvel.com:

MARVEL STUDIOS ADDS ACADEMY-AWARD® NOMINEE JEFF BRIDGES TO STAR-STUDDED CAST OF IRON MAN

Bridges Joins Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow and Terrence Howard in Film Being Directed by Jon Favreau


Los Angeles, CA (February 6, 2007) -- Marvel Studios continues to build a golden foundation for its big screen adaptation of Iron Man as it announced today that Jeff Bridges will join the cast of the highly-anticipated summer 2008 event film. Bridges marks the fourth Academy-Award recognized actor signed on to the project, starring alongside Oscar® nominee Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark/Iron Man, Oscar® nominee Terrence Howard as Jim "Rhodey" Rhodes and Oscar® winner Gwyneth Paltrow as Virginia "Pepper" Potts. Directed by Jon Favreau, Iron Man is scheduled to blast into theaters May 2, 2008.

Few specifics of Bridges' role were released. He will portray a close business associate of Tony Stark. A confidant and longtime employee at defense contractor Stark Industries, Bridges' character plays a major role in shaping Tony Stark's life.

"We are thrilled to have Jeff Bridges on board Iron Man in this pivotal role. His depth of talent and unique persona make him a perfect addition to this project, truly rounding out the ensemble," said Kevin Feige, President of Production, Marvel Studios. "His character is central to the entire storyline of the film and we could not have asked for a better choice than Jeff to bring this role to life."

Jeff Bridges has appeared in more than 50 movies during his illustrious career to date, and has garnered numerous accolades. Bridges has received four Academy Award® nominations, including a Best Actor nod for Starman and Supporting Actor recognition for The Contender, Thunderbolt and Lightfoot and The Last Picture Show. Among his other memorable film credits are: The Big Lebowski, Seabiscuit, The Fisher King, The Fabulous Baker Boys, Tucker: The Man and His Dream, Jagged Edge and Against All Odds. In 2007, he will be seen in A Dog Year and provide his vocal talents to the animated film Surf's Up.

Filming on IRON MAN is scheduled to begin in Los Angeles in March 2007. The film will be distributed by Paramount Pictures.
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xman25

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Looks like Nick Fury might make an appearance in 'Iron Man':

http://www.superherohype.com/news/topnews.php?id=5892

I hope it's true.

xman25

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This site has a cast photo:

http://www.superherohype.com/news/topnews.php?id=5904

This page has a shot of the suit:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...tonIronman.jpg

xman25

I was speaking idiomatically.

A new poster for the movie.

xman25

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

The first official trailer as been released: Apple - Trailers - Iron Man

Looks good. I really think Downey has Tony Stark nailed.

xman25

FELIPE NO

Some new footage from the movie: YouTube - Iron Man

xman25

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

Full trailer: The Full Iron Man Trailer! - Superhero Hype!

xman25

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Reactions to early viewings of Iron Man. There are some spoilers:

A Ton Of Early IRON MAN Reactions Come Roaring Into Geek Headquarters! -- Ain't It Cool News: The best in movie, TV, DVD, and comic book news.

xman25

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I saw the movie today. It was very good. I liked it a lot. The movie moves at a pretty fast pace. Jeff Bridges plays a really good bad guy. I don't think I've ever seen him as a bad guy before. I really liked the bonus scene after the credits end. The scene and Downey's cameo in the next Hulk movie are to set up a shared movie universe.

xman25

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.