Robert Downey Jr. is a well-known actor who has starred in countless movies. However, he is particularly famous for his portrayal of Tony Stark/Iron Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The actor played the iconic role in 9 Marvel movies, and his performance was so good that people still associate him with the character. However, not many people know that Robert Downey Jr. had a hard time with his Iron Man suit, particularly the helmet.

Discomfort With The Helmet

In 2020, Robert Downey Jr. appeared on My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman and talked about his most iconic role, Iron Man. He explained that the helmet was uncomfortable because he couldn’t see and it was very hot, making it hard to breathe. He said, “The helmet was really hard, it’s really hot, you can’t breathe, and it was just a pain in the a** but, you know, so worth it.” Despite the discomfort caused by the helmet, he remained professional and did not let it affect his performance.

Suit Modifications

The first suit that Robert Downey Jr. wore in the Iron Man movie was a “prototype,” and they eventually made some modifications to make it more comfortable. He said, “The first suit, it was sort of like a prototype and then we started to get the look of it, and then by the third one, we really had it down.” However, he also mentioned that they had some issues with the first suit, and it was hard to breathe. They even painted it black inside, which made it worse.

Importance Of The Helmet

Even though Robert Downey Jr. disliked the helmet, it was an essential part of his costume. It helped him to get into character and become Tony Stark/Iron Man. He said, “It’s like being in a car, or a small airplane, or a roller coaster. It’s a thing, and it allows you to get into the zone. It allows you to just really focus on the reality of the situation.”

Leaving Iron Man Days Behind

Robert Downey Jr. has left his Iron Man days behind, and his exit from the MCU disheartened many fans. However, the actor has said that there is life outside the MCU, and he has “alighted for now” to save the real world. He has also mentioned that he is open to the idea of returning to the MCU, saying, “Never say never.” Robert Downey Jr. received several awards for his portrayal of Tony Stark/Iron Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, including a Saturn Award for Best Actor in 2009 and a People’s Choice Award for Favorite Movie Star in 2013.