Robert Downey Jr. talks 'Iron Man', 'Tropic Thunder' and fame

By M&C People Apr 28, 2008, 23:32 GMT

03/13/2008 - Robert Downey Jr. © PRN / PR Photos

Iron Man’s Robert Downey Jr. talked to Extra about his new role as a Marvel Comics superhero, revealed his son’s reaction to his fame and admitted having apprehensions regarding his controversial role playing a black man in his next movie, Tropic Thunder.

In order to physically prepare for this role, Downey explained how he bulked up saying, “I’m a big martial arts guy…but as far as looking good on screen…I started taking this creatine…from Sweden…It’s a legal thing…People say it [creatine] bloats you.

So you are putting on size, but you also look like you just ate five strombolis. But this stuff is non-bloating creatine…When I was taking it, I looked really jacked and then four hours after taking it, I looked like a shrunken monkey again. But I also worked my a** off doing it!”

Downey told Extra that securing the role of Iron Man was a challenge and even involved him doing a screen test.

He said, “If I was this huge corporate entity like Marvel [Comics] and you’re going to put $165 million on the line and this is your lead guy [me], you want to make sure you have the right person. It’s only appropriate. It’s like drafting a team really.”

When asked how his son feels about his fame, Downey responded, “That’s the funny thing. People say, ‘How is your son affected by your big self important narcissism?’ and I go, ‘He’s not thinking about me!’”

As for having more children with wife Susan Levin, Downey said, “Yes, I’m thinking about it.”

Although Downey admitted that he had apprehensions about his controversial role as a black man in the upcoming film "Tropic Thunder," he says that it was Ben Stiller [director/co-star] who put his concerns at ease.

Downey commented, “Well, after I got past, ‘Is this wrong?’ Then Ben is like, ‘White Chicks.’ I go, ‘I know but is this wrong? Have we come far enough along?’

He’s like, ‘Wayans Brothers, Eddie Murphy.’ I was like, ‘But we can still get it wrong.’…He goes, ‘By the way Downey, this is the least offensive script in the movie….’”

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