Summary
Iron Manactor Robert Downey Jr. had some criticisms of Elon Musk despite acknowledging the businessman’s accomplishments.
Tony Stark/Iron Manhas often been compared to Elon Musk. Both are wealthy men who have made significant technological contributions to the world (Stark through the fictional Stark Industries and Musk with SpaceX and Tesla) with a knack for showmanship. Musk even appeared as himself for a brief scene inIron Man 2–one of theMarvel Cinematic Universe’s weirdest cameos–andIron Manco-writer Mark Fergus acknowledged that the MCU’s Tony Stark was partly inspired by Musk, Donald Trump, and Steve Jobs. However, Musk is a polarizing figure due to his promotion of far-right and anti-semitic conspiracies, the rise of hate speech and misinformation on X (formerly Twitter) under his ownership, and for contributing his significant wealth to support Donald Trump in the 2024 U.S Presidential Election.
During an interview for the podcastOn with Kara Swisher, Downey Jr. was asked how he felt about Musk “cosplaying Tony Stark,” seemingly referencing the comparisons between the two businessmen. Downey Jr. responded by criticizing Musk’s behavior, which includes headline-grabbing antics like the ones mentioned above orchallenging Mark Zuckerberg to a fight. “I’ve only met him a few times. As an almost 60-year-old recovering white American male, I just wish that he would control his behavior a little more, but that’s not on me,” Downey Jr. said.
Some Musk critics forgive his questionable antics because of his technological achievements. However, Downey Jr. seemingly counts himself among those who believeMusk’s accomplishments don’t excuse his behavior. “I know that this idea of, ‘It’s all OK because we’ve got to get to Mars,’ doesn’t really hold water with me. But again, you know, you have to look at all that he’s done that demonstrates why he’s valuable.”
Downey Jr.’s comments won’t likely change anyone’s opinions of Musk. Bythrowing his support to Trump, Musk has earned both the admiration and ire of many people. As popular as Downey Jr. is, even he is unlikely to move people when so many are deeply entrenched in their respective political stances. That’s not to draw a moral equivalency between either side. It is what it is.
As for Downey Jr.’s time as Tony Stark, it’s still over as far as fans know. However, Downey Jr. will return to the MCU as Doctor Doom inAvengers: Doomsday, with arumored appearance inFantastic Four: First Steps. Some fans viewed the casting decision as a desperate move for both Marvel Studios and Downey Jr., who arguably haven’t been able to reach the same levels of success since the latter retired from the Iron Man role followingAvengers: Endgame. However, others are excited to see Downey Jr.’s take on the classic villain.
Marvel Studios’Iron Manmovies are available on Disney Plus.
Iron Man
Iron Man is the first film in the long-running Marvel Cinematic Universe franchise. Robert Downey Jr. stars as Tony Stark, who becomes Iron Man after he is kidnapped and discovers terrorists are using weapons developed by Stark Industries. Gwyneth Paltrow stars as Tony’s love interest Pepper Potts alongside Jon Favreau as Happy Hogan and Jeff Bridges as the villainous Obadiah Stane.
