Random Fun Facts About the Iron Man Movies (21 items)

(#6) Iron Man Used the Paparazzi to Its Benefit

Near the end of the first film, just before the final press conference, Tony Stark is reading a newspaper with a grainy amateur photograph of Iron Man on the front page. This exact picture is actually part of a video, shot by paparazzi early in production. After the photos hit the Internet in 2007, the filmmakers took the image for themselves and used it in the film.
(#18) Jon Favreau Stepped Aside as Director of Iron Man 3

After two movies, Jon Favreau chose not to direct Iron Man 3 in order to focus on other directorial projects (which would turn out to be Chef and Disney's Jungle Book). He did, however, return as Happy Hogan, and said that it was a relief to be on the set without the pressure of directing. He likened the experience to being "a proud grandfather who doesn't have to change the diapers but gets to play with the baby."
(#1) Favreau Wanted Downey Jr. as Iron Man BECAUSE of His Tumultuous Past

Though other filmmakers wouldn't work with Robert Downey Jr. at the time, Jon Favreau actually saw RDJ's past as an asset to the character. He said, "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. Robert brings a depth that goes beyond a comic book character having trouble in high school, or can't get the girl." Favreau also admitted Downey could make Stark "a likable asshole."
(#10) Mickey Rourke Went to Real Russian Prisons to Prep for Whiplash

In order to prepare for his role as Ivan Vanko in Iron Man 2, Mickey Rourke visited the Butyrka Prison in Moscow: “I tried to incorporate the whole Russian philosophy. It’s a culture of its own and I really enjoyed doing the research and meeting the people and they were very gracious there at the prison.” Rourke also specified that his accent as Vanko was Slovakian.
(#9) Paul Bettany Stumbled Into the Role as JARVIS

In the comics, Jarvis is Tony Stark's faithful butler, but to avoid the inevitable Batman comparisons (and to modernize) they made him a sentient robot assistant whose name actually stands for "Just A Rather Very Intelligent System." Not only did Paul Bettany take the role as a simple favor to Favreau, with whom he starred in the romantic comedy Wimbledon, he recorded all of his lines in about two hours. Now, he's the Marvel Cinematic Universe's Vision and his makeup alone takes longer than that.
(#3) Howard Hughes Inspired Tony Stark

Stan Lee credits Howard Hughes as his inspiration for billionaire-playboy-philanthropist Tony Stark. Stan Lee described Hughes as "one of the most colorful men of our time. He was an inventor, an adventurer, a multi-billionaire, a ladies' man and finally a nutcase." Sounds about right.