"We didn't want to just go with a safe choice," "Iron Man" director John Favreau said about his lead actor, Robert Downey Jr. as 'Tony Stark' aka 'Iron Man'.The Marvel comic book-to-film is due in theaters May 2, 2008.
"The best and worst moments of Robert's life have been in the public eye," Favreau said.
"He had to find an inner balance to overcome obstacles that went far beyond his career. That's Tony Stark. Robert brings a depth that goes beyond a comic-book character who is having trouble in high school, or can't get the girl. Plus, he's simply one of the best actors around."
Downey is reportedly lifting weights five days a week as well as practicing martial arts to get in shape to play hard-bodied 'Stark', an arms manufacturer who uses a jet-powered, missile-launching suit of armor to fight evil.
