STACK #126 Apr 2016

interview

CINEMA

Iron Man 3

The Avengers

Avengers: Age of Ultron

In recent years, ROBERT DOWNEY JR. has become the poster boy for a franchise which boasts the third highest performing box-office hit of all time, The Avengers . His portrayal of comic book favourite Iron Man in Marvel's wildly successful movies has helped the actor, 49, propel himself back to Hollywood's forefront, where he was listed as the highest-paid actor by Forbes in 2013 following years in the addiction wilderness, overcoming drug and alcohol problems.

I t is a redemption story Stan Lee and co. would be proud to have written themselves, and with the much anticipated Avengers sequel set to take theatres by storm this April, Downey's rise shows no sign of slowing. “It's a life comeback!” the actor says of his turnaround. “I love the metaphor of the Phoenix. I soared high when I first started making my mark as an actor and then I crashed and burned only to rise again.” In addition to his starring role as Iron Man in the standalone trilogy before The Avengers , Robert's renaissance began with films such as Sherlock Holmes , Zodiac and Kiss Kiss Bang Bang . “The only thing that would ruin things is if I crashed and burned again,” he says of his recent success. “But I'm too proud of my family and what we have together to let that happen.” His role as billionaire playboy meets superhero, Tony Stark/Iron Man, is one he credits with getting his name back into the upper echelons of Hollywood's elite. “There’s no denying that Iron Man has put me in a position to many other things,” he says of the role. The devoted father of three says that upon seeing friend Johnny Depp succeed in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, he wanted his children to see their father in a similar role. “I hoped it would be the kind of movie you can take your kid to and explore the comic-book hero genre with a mix of escapism and intelligence. I’m also proud of the fact that I’m a leading man who can do major blockbusters and be that Harrison Ford kind of guy. It’s not a bad place to be,” he confesses.

last. “I’ve reached a point where I know I can live this way, and I am deeply grateful for everything I have today,” he admits. With Iron Man signed up for a further Avengers film, the amazing turnaround in Robert Downey Jr.'s life is complete.

A well as his two sons, Indio and Exton, Robert and his wife, producer Susan whom he married in 2005, recently had a baby daughter, Avri. With his stock at an all-time high, how does Downey Jr. find time to be a father and husband in amongst saving the world on screen? “I've slowed things down a bit but I enjoy working and I know that work is the best form of therapy for me,” Robert admits. “Susan has given me a structure for living and we love each other as much as any couple can be in love. We take that responsibility seriously and I’ve become a better man because of my commitment to taking this journey together with her.” 2015 is shaping up to be one of the biggest years in Downey Jr.'s career to date, he is a man at peace with his past, present and future at I'm proud of the fact that I'm a leading man who can do major blockbusters...

Avengers: Age of Ultron is in cinemas on April 23 and will be reviewed next issue.

023