We all know that the Marvel Cinematic Universe has evolved over the years, but one of the most significant changes might have been Robert Downey Jr as Tony Stark looking at his screen test to film footage. The billionaire playboy genius is beloved by audiences the world over, but when his first scenes were being shot as a screen test, the actor didn’t deliver the fun and lovable broken man who would endure himself on audiences for the past ten years.
As you can see in the six minutes of footage below, Downey actually gave us a darker take of the character that didn’t have the humor and isn’t someone who would have drawn fans in the way he eventually would.
Here, take a quick look!
#Marvel fun fact no. 3: Robert Downey Jr.’s first crack at billionaire playboy genius Tony Stark in his screen test for the original #IronMan was somewhat insufferable and fairly dark. Watch: pic.twitter.com/v8nXyJY0lE
— Hollywood Reporter (@THR) August 30, 2018
Without the charm and charisma that Downey was able to bring to the character, I don’t think this take would have worked at all. While he is still a bit of a jerk in the scene which landed on the big screen, he is able to deliver a performance that draws you in, and for a reminder, you can see what ended up in the movie right here:
I’m not sure how much of the change was due to director John Favreau or from Downey himself, but the difference is almost startling.
Do you think the first ‘Iron Man‘ would have worked nearly as well with the version of Tony from the screen test above? Share your thoughts below, True Believers!
Source: Cinema Blend
