Robert Downey Jr. initially met with Marvel considering a role in FANTASTIC FOUR

When we think about Robert Downey Jr., we think of Iron Man, and when we think of Marvel, he’s inextricably woven into his tapestry. It was in the first movie that kicked off the stages that changed everything, but just like in the multiverse, there are different versions of how movies could have gone in the MCU. Different actors could have played our heroes, they could have taken on different roles, and different projects could have been done.

One of those almost-could-happen scenarios involves RDJ himself, and the fact that when he came to meet Marvel, there was first talk that he could play a Fantastic Four character. Head of Marvel Studios Kevin Feige sitting with Iron man director Jon Favreau (via CB) to reflect on the long and sometimes difficult road that has led to the world’s biggest franchise.

Kevin Feige was interviewing Jon Favreau about his recollections of how Iron man took shape around a key milestone: the casting of Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark. However, as Favreau recalled, Downey had come to audition for several Marvel roles, including Fantastic Four villain Doctor Doom!

“I remember Robert had come in for a general on it – and I remember you had all met with him before for like Doctor Doom or something on another project. I think he came in as maybe Fantastic Four? So everybody knew who he was, and I remember sitting with the guy, and I was like, ‘Damn, he just figured it out — he’s got that sparkle in him, in his eye, and he’s ready.’ And that’s when we were in your office [Kevin] and we were pointing at his headshot and saying, ‘We have to try to figure that out.'”

I like hearing things like this. It’s great that Downey Jr. didn’t work out to join the previous (mediocre) Marvel-produced films, because he was the best Tony Stark we could ask for! What do you think? Would RDJ have been a good Doctor Doom?