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Spider-Man Tobey Maguire inspired Robert Downey Jr to become MCU’s Iron Man?

Robert Downey Jr changed the course of superhero films with Iron Man (2008) but it was Tobey Maguire who inspired him to do so.

Shubham Kulkarni
Aug 22, 2024
Spider-Man Tobey Maguire inspired Robert Downey Jr to become MCU’s Iron Man?

Tobey Maguire Inspired Robert Downey Jr To Play Iron Man

When we talk about the superhero realm, there is no debate that Spider-Man is the most beloved superhero across the board, regardless of the many universes. He is the friendly neighborhood superhero who, over the years, has garnered the biggest fandom in the comics, live-action, and animation worlds. He is even set to enter the world of long-format series now. But it all started with Tobey Maguire, who happens to be the first actor to have played Peter Parker in live-action. His trilogy remains one of the most revered franchises and is considered the most humane of them all. It has inspired a series of superhero and non-superhero cinema that followed. But did you know that Maguire’s Spider-Man was actually the reason Robert Downey Jr. agreed to do Iron Man even when they weren't under the same studio umbrella?

Tobey Maguire Inspired Robert Downey Jr To Play Iron Man

Today, we bring you a rare story from the internet, sharing fascinating trivia about Robert Downey Jr.’s motivation to say yes to playing Tony Stark in the first MCU movie. RDJ played Iron Man in the 2008 movie and changed the landscape of superhero cinema forever. He became the patriarch of an entire franchise, the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which would go on to include over 30 movies and many shows. But all of this happened only because Tobey Maguire unknowingly convinced RDJ to sign on the dotted line. Read on to find out how.

Robert Downey Jr. was offered the role of Iron Man, but he wasn't completely convinced until he visited the set of Spider-Man where Tobey Maguire was shooting for one of the sequels. The Tony Stark star confirmed this in a viral tweet from Culture Cave. RDJ said, "In real time... I saw how difficult they were, how rewarding they could be, and how popular [comic book films] were becoming."

Also Read: Spider-Man 4 rumour round up: Tom Holland starrer goes through change in story and Daredevil: Born Again is to be blamed

Tobey Maguire had put all his heart into playing Spider-Man because that performance demanded a lot from him. He had to build muscle, grow bigger than he was, and learn weight training, gymnastics, and much more. This led to him delivering one of the most celebrated performances of his career. Most recently, he reprised the role in Spider-Man: No Way Home and was equally loved for his return.

Tobey Maguire’s Future in the MCU

It is being said that Tobey Maguire is set to return for Avengers: Secret Wars alongside four other legacy actors. The scoop from scooper My Time To Shine Hello reads, "Tobey Maguire (Spider-Man), Chris Evans (Captain America/Human Torch), Nicolas Cage (Ghost Rider), Wesley Snipes (Blade), and Scarlett Johansson (Black Widow) have all supposedly agreed to return to the MCU for Avengers: Secret Wars." We have already heard theories that Deadpool and Wolverine will have their time in the Avengers movies, along with The Fantastic Four and Thunderbolts, making the movie even bigger and better.

All three Tobey Maguire Spider-Man movies are now streaming on SonyLIV, and you can watch them with your OTTplay Premium subscription. Stay tuned to OTTplay for more information on this and everything else from the world of streaming and films.

Also Read: Deadpool & Wolverine Review: Ryan Reynolds & Hugh Jackman say ‘let's save MCU’ quite literally

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