How to Become Iron Man

“I’m Tony Stark. I build neat stuff, I got a great girl, and, occasionally, I save the world. So why can’t I sleep?”

Tony-Stark

Not many people realize this but up until 2006, Robert Downey Jr was one of the most talented but least successful actors in Hollywood.

He’d been making movies for almost thirty years without a single financial hit, unless you count the 1986 Rodney Dangerfield comedy ‘Back to School’ in which Downey Jr. had a small part. So when Iron Man’s director Jon Favreau finally got Marvel to agree to let him at least screen test for the role of Tony Stark, Downey Jr was ready, beyond ready. This was his ticket to the big time after years and years of critical acclaim and not much to show for it.

In GQ’s cover story this month we get a glimpse into how he snagged the role that changed his life (he’s since pocketed a $50 million payday for ‘The Avengers’ grand slam, made two Iron Man sequels and scored with two Sherlock Holmes films). I love these types of stories because they remind us what’s possible when luck meets preparation and a frustrated existence gives way to destiny:

Even after the film’s director, Jon Favreau, passed on the word from Marvel that it wasn’t going to happen, Downey refused to listen. (Favreau later explained that Marvel had actually been even more definite: “Under no circumstances are we prepared to hire him for any price.”) Downey persisted nonetheless, and eventually he was told he’d at least get a screen test.

He had three weeks to ready himself. The way Downey describes what happened in that period seems itself like an origin montage from a superhero story: a time of focused preparation and of “spiritual/ ritualistic processes” that he still considers private and prefers not to detail. He worked on the scenes over and over: “The missus says she could’ve woken me up in the middle of the night and I’d have recited the audition dialogue in double time.”

“It was all shock, awe, conquer—it was about devastating the competition,” he says. When he walked into the room at Raleigh Studios, he was ready. “Right before the first take I felt like I almost left my body—a sudden surge of nerves,” he says, and remembers wondering whether they had noticed. “Then, all of a sudden, it was like coasting downhill on an old Schwinn Cruiser, like I could do no wrong.”

The rest is history – Robert Downey Jr is now remarried, has a one year old son and can write his own ticket. Given the state of his personal life, health and career just ten years ago, this has been quite a remarkable turn of events. Very cool to witness.

Source:

RD3 (GQ)

This content, which contains security-related opinions and/or information, is provided for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon in any manner as professional advice, or an endorsement of any practices, products or services. There can be no guarantees or assurances that the views expressed here will be applicable for any particular facts or circumstances, and should not be relied upon in any manner. You should consult your own advisers as to legal, business, tax, and other related matters concerning any investment.

The commentary in this “post” (including any related blog, podcasts, videos, and social media) reflects the personal opinions, viewpoints, and analyses of the Ritholtz Wealth Management employees providing such comments, and should not be regarded the views of Ritholtz Wealth Management LLC. or its respective affiliates or as a description of advisory services provided by Ritholtz Wealth Management or performance returns of any Ritholtz Wealth Management Investments client.

References to any securities or digital assets, or performance data, are for illustrative purposes only and do not constitute an investment recommendation or offer to provide investment advisory services. Charts and graphs provided within are for informational purposes solely and should not be relied upon when making any investment decision. Past performance is not indicative of future results. The content speaks only as of the date indicated. Any projections, estimates, forecasts, targets, prospects, and/or opinions expressed in these materials are subject to change without notice and may differ or be contrary to opinions expressed by others.

Wealthcast Media, an affiliate of Ritholtz Wealth Management, receives payment from various entities for advertisements in affiliated podcasts, blogs and emails. Inclusion of such advertisements does not constitute or imply endorsement, sponsorship or recommendation thereof, or any affiliation therewith, by the Content Creator or by Ritholtz Wealth Management or any of its employees. Investments in securities involve the risk of loss. For additional advertisement disclaimers see here: https://www.ritholtzwealth.com/advertising-disclaimers

Please see disclosures here.

What's been said:

Discussions found on the web
  1. cialis picture commented on Jan 24

    cialis picture

    How to Become Iron Man – The Reformed Broker