Terrence Howard recalls a moment on the set of “Iron Man” when his co-star, Robert Downey Jr., blew his mind.It was a scene in which Downey, playing billionaire arms maker Tony Stark, is conducting a press conference after escaping captivity from a band of insurgents in Afghanistan. Though the soundstage was lit so 400 extras playing journalists would be standing and shouting out questions, Downey suggested to director Jon Favreau that his character tell the crowd to sit on the floor.
“It was brilliant,” recalls Howard, the Oscar-nominated star of “Hustle & Flow.” “And Jon went with it. We relit it and it just took the scene to a whole other place.”
Fortunately, Downey doesn’t make a similar demand as he addresses a group of real journalists on the “Iron Man” set. After shooting a sequence in Stark’s lavish, high-tech home, Downey takes a few minutes to explain the thought-process behind his suggestion to restage the press conference scene.
“The (press) is supposed to think maybe Tony’s gone a little cuckoo and I thought it would demonstrate that, even though that’s not why he does it,” he says. “It’s really about the miscommunication of intentions and ideas.”
Whatever it was, Favreau liked it. Having started out as an actor, Favreau (”Made,” “Elf”) may be more open to ideas from his actors than most filmmakers. Furthermore, he truly seems to like and trust his leading man.
“When we cast Robert, it completely freed me because I knew that I was halfway there to having a movie that I could be proud of,” he says. “I can’t think of anybody better than him.”
“Iron Man” is the long-anticipated superhero movie from Marvel Studios. One of the original Marvel Comics, “Iron Man” has enjoyed a long and prosperous run dating back to the character’s first appearance in the Marvel comic “Tales of Suspense,” in April 1963.
Created by Stan Lee, Larry Lieber, Don Heck and Jack Kirby, Iron Man’s alter ego is Tony Stark, a rich, powerful and intelligent man, who knows how to build things. He has made his fortune building weapons for the U.S. military. (The military conflict has been updated from Vietnam to Afghanistan.)
After his imprisonment, Stark undergoes a transformation in which he decides to change his ways, protect the world and right its injustices. He vows to use his power and money for good so he develops a suit of red and gold armor that gives him superhuman strength and physical protection. The character was partly inspired by the personality of the late American industrialist Howard Hughes.
Primarily known as a dramatic actor, Downey, who earned an Academy Award nomination in 1993 for his dead-on portrayal of The Little Tramp in “Chaplin,” says he has long wanted to play a superhero. Once he hit 40, the acclaimed performer knew it was time to fish or cut bait.
“If you’re going to do something like this you want to do it while there’s a very low embarrassment factor, age-wise,” he says.
He also was eager to work with Favreau.
“That guy is a national treasure and to be able to do something like this with him and maybe have the opportunity to do it a couple more times - it’s a no-brainer,” he says.
The 43-year-old actor admits he initially was a little anxious about playing a superhero beloved by generations of comic book fans. But in recognizing what he calls “self-centered fear,” he was able to overcome those doubts and press forward.
“The added value is that I think I’ve got the chops to be able to pull it off,” he says, confidently.
To prepare for the role, Downey committed to getting in shape. Thankfully, he had Howard, who plays his trusted military liaison, James “Rhodey” Rhodes. They pumped iron and ran together.
Downey supplemented his daily exercise routine with yoga, eating healthy, taking vitamins and getting to bed on time, or what he calls “all the obvious stuff that is probably more important than working out.”
Robert Downey Jr. popping vitamins and getting to bed on time?
There was a time when that self-discipline would have been unheard of for Hollywood’s favorite bad boy. Having overcome drug addiction, run-ins with the law and other personal foibles, Downey appears to have emerged on the other side. Committing himself to his work and family, Downey has reassessed his priorities.
He is married to film executive Susan Levin, and has shared custody of his 14-year-old son, Indio, from his first marriage.
It is precisely Downey’s checkered past that makes him suited to the complex dual role in “Iron Man,” according to those who have worked with him.
“He brings a reality, humor, panache and a life of experience,” observes Favreau. “There’s a lot of Tony Stark in him. And that’s so much better than trying to teach somebody to pretend they’re funny or smart or talented or that they have lived with fame and all the challenges and benefits of it.”
Downey acknowledges he has lightened up and learned to have fun as he’s grown older.
He says he still commits to the preparation process but he tries to maintain some distance between himself and his onscreen characters. At the same time, though, he finds it easy to meld with Stark-Iron Man.
“It’s the coolest job I’ve ever had,” he says, smiling.
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