Kevin Feige thinks Marvel owes much of its recent success to Robert Downey Jr.
Kevin Feige thinks hiring Robert Downey Jr as Iron Man remains Marvel's "biggest risk".
The 48-year-old President of Marvel Studios admits that his company owes much of its recent success to the Hollywood star, who debuted as Tony Stark in the original 'Iron Man' film in 2008.
He reflected: "I was lucky enough to be involved in early 'Spider-Man' films and 'X-Men' films. But we wanted to do an 'Iron Man' movie. And I do think, still, the biggest risk - which seems outrageous to say now - was casting Robert Downey Jr.
"It was both the biggest risk and the most important thing in the founding of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Without Robert, we wouldn't be sitting here today. I really believe that."
Kevin always recognised that Robert was an "amazing actor". However, he admitted casting him as Iron Man required a leap of faith.
He told CinemaBlend: "He was an amazing actor. Everybody knew he was amazing actor. But he hadn't been an action star.
"He wasn't a marquee star, necessarily. And we quickly realised the risk, I've said this before, was not casting him. And Jon Favreau really had that vision for that movie and for Robert in that role.
"That decision, and the success of that decision, I think empowered us with further risks and further choices."
Robert previously admitted that while his days of playing Iron Man are now over, he remains "eternally grateful" for the opportunity.
He said: "I've done all I could with that character and can do other things now.
"Now, being middle-aged, you start looking at the back nine and realise this is all part of the journey, and things end. I am fortunate and eternally grateful to have wound up where I have."
Sheffield's very own all girl group Pretty Fierce are still on a high after the recent release of their debut single - 'Ready For Me'.
Three nights before the end of his current tour Will Varley returned to his home town of Deal to delight a sold out crowd in The Astor Theatre.
With only a few days to go before Portsmouth based songstress and producer WYSE releases her new single, 'Belladonna', we caught up with her to find...
Colorado raised, Glasgow educated and Manchester based Bay Bryan is nothing if not a multi-talented, multi-faceted artist performing as both...
Former Marigolds band member Keelan Cunningham has rediscovered his love of music with his new solo project Keelan X.
Wiltshire singer-songwriter Luke De Sciscio, formally known as Folk Boy, is set to release is latest album - 'The Banquet' via AntiFragile Music on...
Electronic music pioneer and producer Annie Elise says that the release of her first EP - 'Breathe In, Breathe Out' feels "both vulnerable and...
Ahead of the imminent release of his second solo album - Dekker, aka Brookln Dekker, took time out to let us know about the musical project he...
The most riotously enjoyable Marvel movie yet, this action epic benefits hugely from the decision...
This may be the third reboot of this franchise in 15 years, risking audience exhaustion,...
It was never going to be easy to match the impact of 2014's Guardians of...