Robert Downey Jr. 2007, Downey was cast as the title character in the film "Iron Man", with director Jon Favreau explaining the choice by stating: "Downey wasn't the most obvious choice, but he understood what makes the character tick. He found a lot of his own life experience in 'Tony Stark'." Favreau insisted on having Downey as he repeatedly claimed that Downey would be to "Iron Man" what Johnny Depp is to the "Pirates of the Caribbean" series: a lead actor who could both elevate the quality of the film and increase the public's interest in it. For the role Downey had to
Toronto Film Critics Association Awards 2008 and "I've Loved You So Long" • France/Germany Runners-Up: "Doubt" – John Patrick Shanley and "Frost/Nixon" – Peter Morgan Runners-Up: Josh Brolin – "Milk", Robert Downey Jr. – "Tropic Thunder" and Philip Seymour Hoffman – "Doubt" Runners-Up: Penélope Cruz – "Vicky Cristina Barcelona" and Viola Davis – "Doubt" Runners-Up: "Continental, a Film Without Guns (Continental, un film sans fusil)" and "Up the Yangtze" Toronto Film Critics Association Awards 2008 The 12th Toronto Film Critics Association Awards, honoring the best in film for 2008, were given on December 17, 2008. Runners-Up: Sean Penn – "Milk" and Jean-Claude Van Damme – "JCVD"