ALRIGHT, SO ‘IRON MAN’ IS NOW ‘JAMES BOND’
With RDJ hinting at him moving on from the man of iron once he clocks in at the big ol’ 50, it has taken the industry no time at all to throw names out there for possible male leads to play “Iron Man.” Apparently, they plan on recasting the franchise “James Bond” style by finding male leads with their own unique quality to fill in the iron shoes.
As of now this is who this is who movieweb has thrown out there:
Timothy Olyphant is in no need for a comeback, but he has never made his mark on the big screen quite the way he has on television. After several supporting roles in various movies of the early 2000s, the actor proved himself as a major presence playing the sheriff of Deadwood. A few years later, he took that same swagger and cocksureness to the role of Raylan Givens on Justified, which has grown beyond its cult audience to become a bonafide cultural hit. Timothy Olyphant is able to bring the right amount of lovability to a role, while still being a smarmy bastard when he needs to be. And he has the right look. He’s our number one pick for Tony Stark. And he’s loved by pretty much every man and woman on the planet. Show us someone who doesn’t like Timothy Olyphant, and we’ll show you a real (explicative).
He looks the most like Tony Stark out of our current crop of high profile actors who might be considered for the role. He looks more like Tony Stark than Robert Downey Jr.. And he, too, has proven himself very capable of playing cocky without becoming too unlikable. While Leonardo DiCaprio is in no need of a hit movie or a comeback, the actor has yet to play a superhero, or become part of the Disney family, which most of his peers have. If he wanted to take part in the genre, there wouldn’t be a better role for him. And he’s likely Disney’s top choice, too. This franchise is his for the taking, but as someone who actively seeks out challenging and artistic films, he might find the role of a playboy billionaire who plays with robots beneath him. Iron Man wants and needs someone like Leonardo DiCaprio, but is the role below his pay grade at this point?
Like Timothy Olyphant, Jon Hamm has made a name for himself on TV, starring in the hit drama Mad Men, but he’s never taken that Don Drapper swagger to the big screen. The role of Iron Man would serve to bring his gentlemanly demeanor and arrogant attitude to a wider demographic. With slicked back hair and a pencil thin mustache, he would serve to bring a more retro quality to the character, harkening back to Stark’s roots as a hero of the 60s. He also looks good swinging a glass of Scotch at his side, and might be one of the few actors able to pull off the alcoholism aspects of Tony Stark in an intelligent, humorous manner that won’t weight the character down and scare him away from kids. He has a dad-like quality that will serve the character well. Though, he might be a little too sexy for the role of Iron Man. That could turn fanboys away.
Colin Farrell probably has the most in common with Robert Downey Jr. He’s no stranger to substance abuse, and has been struggling to make it in Hollywood for years. Despite headlining quite a few mainstream movies, he’s never had the hit his talent promises, nor has he exactly become a household name. He needs a big movie like Iron Man at this point in his career, and he’s just the right age. He’s done his best work in quirky independent crime comedies, and the character of Tony Stark is capable of bringing those same attributes into a superhero movie. Colin Farrell might be an unconventional choice, but Marvel’s choices seem to be unconventional most of the time. He’d have to lose his Irish brogue, which is never fun, but the man can pull off a mean moustache, and he’s good with a quick quip. He also knows how to rock cocky yet lovable, which is probably the main attribute a casting director will look for when trying to fill the shoes of Tony Stark.
This is Marvel thinking way outside the box. Norman Reedus had a large cult following with the film Boondock Saints before becoming everyone’s favorite zombie slayer on The Walking Dead. He is beloved by millions of fanboys, as well as moms and kids alike. Taking on Iron Man might push him to the next level. Though, the actor hasn’t proven he can do comedy just yet. That might be okay. Maybe we want someone who brings a slightly different take to the character than Robert Downey Jr.. Maybe this Tony Stark is a little more serious. A little less assured of himself. He is more flawed. Norman Reedus has the ability to play to the strengths of the character, while also bringing in certain elements that would stand him apart from the crowd. People are ready to see him take on a bigger role. Do you think this one would serve him well? His on-screen brother Michael Rooker just landed a lead role in Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy. Maybe Norman’s next in line…Or then again, maybe Submariner is more his speed.
