Iron Man

Tony Stark makes you feel
He's a cool exec with a heart of steel

Those are the opening lines to the theme song from the old Iron Man cartoon. Why am I bringing this up? Because last week it was announced that Robert Downey Jr. has been chosen to play Tony Stark in the upcoming (2008) Iron Man movie. This news has not been well received by fans of the super hero. Never mind the fact that in the Marvel Universe Tony Stark was in his early 20's when he created his Iron Man persona and Downey Jr. is 41.

Downey Jr. makes you think
He's a washed up actor from pills and drink

Tony Stark is supposed to be young and dynamic - like Christian Bale in Batman Begins. With this choice of lead actor - it is almost a guaranty that special effects will have to take front and center if this movie is to be any type of success.

I think the fact that Robert Downey Jr. was a bad choice as Tony Stark is highlighted by the fact that the MySpace discussion group set up by director Jon Favreau has been down for days since the announcement. I guess Favreau got sick of reading posts titled "What the Fuji were you thinking casting Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark?"

I'm not willing to say that this casting decision was as bad as Sofia Coppola as Mary Corleone in Godfather III but I am saying that I'm the type of person who would be excited to see the movie but Downey Jr. as Tony Stark has acted like a cold bucket of water on my enthusiasm.