Since Robert Downey Jr. kicked drugs he is now proving that he's one of the greatest actors of his generation. Donning the metal suit, his blockbuster hit 'Iron Man' hauled in $100.7 million over opening weekend. The film also scored overseas with $96.7 million in 57 countries since it opened last Wednesday, putting its worldwide total at $201 million. Downey just rocks as Tony Stark and casting him was a brilliant idea.
Iron Man features Downey as billionaire arms designer Stark, a boozy flawed womanizer who is taken captive and builds a high-tech suit to escape. He becomes a superhero and sets out to save the world after seeing firsthand the devastation his weapons caused.
Downey says he was blown away by the idea of being Iron Man and wearing the cool suit: "I remember seeing the Mark I suit for the first time. (Costumer) Stan Winston's guys came over and gave me this helmet. I thought, this is so badass. I put it on and I'm all buffed."
"Ten minutes later, my arms were getting heavy even though I was in good shape. I thought, oh my God, this is one-sixth of an hour and I'm supposed to wear this thing for six to 12 hours a day? This is crazy."
Downey, who says he's next movie "Tropic Thunder" is the best work he's ever done, is thrilled that people are finally talking about his work again and not his drug use and jail time. "The funny thing about a movie like "Iron Man" is that finally there's something that's bigger than my past issues. I give myself permission that I don't really have to talk about the stuff I've been talking about for five years."
