Iron Man (2008 film) non-sequel, behind "Spider-Man", and the fourth biggest-opening for a superhero film. "Iron Man" was also the number one film in the U.S. and Canada in its second weekend, grossing $51.2 million, giving it the twelfth-best second weekend and the fifth-best for a non-sequel. On June 18, 2008, "Iron Man" became that year's first film to pass the $300 million mark for the domestic box office. The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported a 93% approval rating with an average rating of 7.7/10 based on 274 reviews. The website's consensus reads, "Powered by Robert Downey Jr.'s vibrant charm, "Iron Man" turbo-charges
Iron Man (2008 film) the star, the superhero is the star. The success of "X-Men" and "Spider-Man" without being star-driven pieces reassures [executives] that the film does have an upside commercially." However, in September 2006, Robert Downey, Jr. was cast in the role. Favreau chose Downey, a fan of the comic, because he felt the actor's past made him an appropriate choice for the part, explaining "The best and worst moments of Robert's life have been in the public eye. He had to find an inner balance to overcome obstacles that went far beyond his career. That's Tony Stark." Favreau faced opposition from Marvel