One of the most iconic Iron Man scenes wouldn’t have happened without Robert Downey Jr.’s Marvel casting. Tony Stark is known as the character who started the MCU, acting as the heart of the franchise up until his Avengers: Endgame death. Downey Jr. played the hero for over a decade as he appeared in over 10 MCU films. Now and then comes a special role that feels like it was made for a specific actor, and that is how many fans have come to think about Downey Jr.’s portrayal of Iron Man.

The Iron Man trilogy are some of the MCU’s earliest projects, so it makes sense that they can sometimes feel a bit dated compared to other properties. However, that doesn’t negate that plenty of iconic moments were born from the Iron Man trilogy, or that Iron Man made some innovative choices. The original film has remained a beloved film for a reason, thanks to the memorable scenes that showcased Downey Jr.’s wit as Tony while incorporating fun action – which are all the more special with the added info that some wouldn’t have seemed possible without the MCU’s specific casting.

Robert Downey Jr’s Iron Man Casting Helped Create The MCU Movie’s “Boot Test” Scene

Over 500 illustrations from Marvel’s Head of Visual Development Ryan Meinerding are shared in the official Marvel Studios art book, The Art of Ryan Meinerding. An integral player for the studio, Meinerding has worked with Marvel since the early days of Iron Man. The artist actually pitched one of the most iconic Iron Man scenes to director Jon Favreau.

According to the book, “Meinerding pitched the idea of the “boot test” sequence to Iron Man director Jon Favreau. One of the artist’s main inspirations for the key frame was the casting of Robert Downey Jr. The thought of Downey Jr. performing as Tony Stark hovering in the experimental rocket boots and reacting to what’s happening with a surprised look on his face “and the fact that he’s got all of these precious collectibles all around him,” felt to Meinerding like a perfect visual representation of Stark’s personality.“

In Meinerding’s pitched scene, Tony tests prototype rocket boots in his workshop. Naturally, the technology is in its early stages, which causes Tony to fumble around while in the air. These scenes are crucial for Iron Man and for the hero’s MCU arc, as they provide a look at his early struggles to put his actual hero suit together after the Mark I, making the process feel more grounded and real as well as paying testament to Stark’s commitment to creating his armor.

Robert Downey Jr Inspiring The MCU’s “Boot Test” Scene Shows How Crucial He Was As Iron Man

The fact that the “boot test” scene came to Meinerding’s mind specifically because of Downey Jr.’s portrayal speaks to how integral the actor has been to this character. The snark and charisma that Tony has feels so authentic to Downey Jr.’s portrayal. Favreau himself was the one who initially pushed for Downey Jr. to be cast because he felt the actor would bring a certain edge to the character due to his own past. Even with Marvel’s initial pushback, Favreau felt that it was the necessary creative direction.

MCU fans know how crucial Downey Jr. has been to the franchise, but it’s amazing to think about just how much would’ve been different if he wasn’t cast. In a world where Marvel rejected Favreau’s suggestion, the director might’ve gone a different route with the story or pulled out of the project altogether. Similarly, Meinerding wouldn’t have gotten the inspiration that they did from Downey Jr., and fans wouldn’t have gotten iconic scenes like the “boot test.” Thanks to Downey Jr.’s initial Iron Man casting, Tony Stark will forever stay an MCU legend.

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