In a pre-Cannes move, Robert Downey Jr. has reteamed with Iron Man director Jon Favreau on the indie ensemble comedy Chef, with production starting July 8th in Los Angeles.

Aldamisa will present the project at Cannes next week and has already begun selling international markets.

Favreau, Karen Gilchrist, and Aldamisa co-chairman Sergei Bespalov are producing. Favreau is directing from his own script and starring as a man who loses his chef job and starts up a food truck to reclaim his artistic promise and reclaiming his estranged family. Sofia Vergara, John Leguizamo, and Bobby Cannavale are also starring. [ETA: Scarlet Johansson has also jumped on board.]

“Setting a film in the culinary world of Los Angeles offers wonderful opportunities for a character driven comedy,” said Favreau.

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The actor made an unannounced visit to the Regal E-Walk theater in Manhattan to honor youngsters from the Police Athletic League who have given their time to help rebuild areas devastated by the storm last October.

The teens cheered with delight when Downey, Jr. entered the building, and he personally thanked them for their hard work. He told the crowd, “I just want to say thank you to the… Police Athletic League and all of you folks. I know you’re all here because you’ve been doing something special in the five boroughs, for this great city. You’re the future of the nation. I guarantee if you keep doing the right thing, you’re going to be running the joint in a minute.”

Downey, Jr. posed for photos with his star-struck fans, and told a reporter for the New York Daily News, “Of course [the visit means a lot as]… it’s my hometown. Everywhere we drive, I have a memory of playing Frisbee in front of that office building or trying to sneak into the back door of a Rocky Horror Picture Show midnight showing, because I knew someone who was working concessions… Coming back here reminds me of my origins.”

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Last night, April 30th, Robert Downey Jr appeared on “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.” I’m unable to embed the video, so just click on the still image above to be led to the full episode; Robert appears around the 14:15 mark. In it, he talks about the “insane phenomenon” that is the Iron Man franchise… and he teases that he “doesn’t know” what his future holds when it comes to move Marvel films (wink, wink). Jon Stewart’s always a fun – and smart – interviewer, so definitely check it out.

To highlight the impending U.S. release of Iron Man 3, Robert Downey Jr hit the New York Stock Exchange to ring the opening bell earlier today, April 30th. Marvel definitely has something worth celebrating, too: Iron Man 3 grossed $195 million from the overseas market over the weekend alone. That’s a bigger opening weekend than last year’s blockbuster, The Avengers! Congrats, Robert and the whole IM3 team! Here’s to another box office smashing weekend, this time in the States.

Robert Downey, Jr. Fan has an amazing new layout up, courtesy of my favorite designer, Flor (of Sweet Revelation)! What do you think of the new look? As much as I loved the fun, Americana design that had been up for nearly an entire year, I can’t help but be charmed by the sophistication of this streamlined, black and white makeover. (Of course, the gallery maintains Robert’s whimsy by utilizing a more playful photo in the graphic.) Please let me know if you spot any errors. Hope you enjoy!

On Friday, April 26th, Robert Downey Jr appeared on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.” In the interview, he talks a bit about his birthday (and there’s a clip of him doing Gangnam Style in South Korea), his Oscar potential, breaking his ankle on the Iron Man 3 set, and he names his guilty pleasure snack. You can check out some pictures from the show in the gallery, or check out the entire episode below (he shows up around 16:50).

On April 24th, Robert Downey Jr attended the Los Angeles premiere for Iron Man 3. Susan Downey accompanied Robert throughout the evening, and they looked gorgeous – and adorable – in matching outfits; Susan’s bright orange dress was reflected in Robert’s pocket square and even his tangerine sunglasses. Co-stars at the premiere included Gwyneth Paltrow, Sir Ben Kingsley, Rebecca Hall, Don Cheadle, Guy Pearce, Jon Favreau, director Shane Black, and veritable comic book god, Stan Lee himself.

Held at Disney’s El Capitan Theatre, it was an extravagant event, bringing in other Marvel stars such as Jaimie Alexander, Kat Denings, Emily VanCamp, Cobie Smulders, Hayley Atwell, Zachary Levi, Joss Whedon (director of The Avengers), Sebastian Stan, and Chris Hemsworth. There are over 300 pictures from the LA premiere in the gallery, with a few after-party images as well.