“In the casting of Robert [Downey Jr.], he was definitely what you would call a ‘non-starter’ for them [Marvel]. They said, ‘who’s your first choice? You can have anybody. Marvel movies are sold based on the costumed hero, so we don’t have to pay anybody and the good news for you is you have the freedom to cast whoever you want.’
I wanted Robert and they went, ‘well that’s a problem.’
I knew in my heart from talking to the guy, I knew what he’s endured in his life, and he was the guy. And he really, really wanted it, really bad. I told him – after going round and round and using every trick that I had to get him hired, every piece of political capital that I could trade in and use as leverage – it just was not gonna happen.
I finally called him and said, ‘Robert, I don’t really know you, I just met you once in the office.’ We really connected in that meeting and I was a fan of his work. I had to call him back a couple of weeks later and said: ‘Look, I really want you for this but it’s just not gonna happen this time around. That’s how it goes.’
Robert said, ‘I understand but with your permission, I’d like to hold out hope.’
And I said, ‘Well, alright, I’ll hope as long as you do.’
Finally I saw an opportunity because … Marvel was not meeting that much responsiveness to people wanting to be in the film. So circumstances conspired and there was an opening, and their clock was ticking down. And I was finally able to get Robert to screen-test.
I said (to Marvel): 'Let’s just put him on film. The other guys that you’re thinking of, let’s put them on film, and I’ll put Robert on film.’
Then it happened. Robert just blew the doors of the place and no one can argue.”
– JON FAVREAU, on the difficulties he encountered with getting Robert Downey Jr. cast as Tony Stark (September 6, 2008).
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