Robert Downey Jr. criticizes Elon Musk and Marvel parallels
Actor Robert Downey Jr. has commented on the similarities between Elon Musk and Tony Stark, the character he portrayed in the "Iron Man" and "Avengers" films. In the podcast "On With Kara Swisher," he shared his opinions on the eccentric billionaire.
During a conversation with Kara Swisher, Downey Jr. mentioned Musk: "I've only met him a few times. As an almost 60-year-old recovering white American male, I just wish that he would control his behaviour a little more, but that's not on me."
Throughout the interview, it was clear that the actor is not a fan of the billionaire. "This idea of, 'It's all OK because we've got to get to Mars,' doesn't really hold water with me. But again, you know, you have to look at all that he's done that demonstrates why he's valuable," added the star.
The character of tony stark based on musk
Downey Jr. and Musk appeared together in "Iron Man 2" during a scene at the Monaco Grand Prix. The character played by Downey Jr., Tony Stark, greets Musk warmly, and Musk announces, "The exciting thing to do would be some sort of electric vertical takeoff and landing supersonic jet of some kind."
In 2022, Iron Man screenwriter Mark Fergus acknowledged that Elon Musk partly influenced the film's portrayal of Tony Stark. In an interview with New York magazine, Fergus described Stark as a fusion of Musk’s characteristics, Steve Jobs’ genius, and Donald Trump’s showmanship. He remarked that Stark embodies a celebrity's charisma and sharp business acumen.
A film about musk
Director Darren Aronofsky is currently working on a Musk biography for studio A24, based on an authorised book by Walter Isaacson. Although the cast has not yet been announced, "Variety" magazine suggested Robert Downey Jr. as an ideal fit for the role.
