Downey Jr. Dishes on Iron Man 2

Ben Lyons: What I love about this franchise now compared to some of the other superhero ones is that it’s revealed in your world that Tony Stark is Iron Man. Often times, in super hero movies, their identity is a secret and so now that it’s out in the open, how does that change things in Iron Man 2?

Robert Downey Jr.: Well, it brings up the question “Was he smart to have done this or not?” And he’s up against quite a bit both externally and internally from the start and I think if there was a success in—and the Marvel folks tack on the sequel, it was that we start Tony already kind of in a big guacamole situation.

Ben Lyons: Throughout the film, Tony is very health conscious. He’s drinking his green shakes all day long and it reminds of you. That’s what you do all day long. Can you see the connection?

Robert Downey Jr.: By the way, I’m fighting for that in one script. I think you should be pounding chlorophyll. We don’t need him doing all of your regimens. I go “No, no, no” and then I Googled it and it says, “If you have any radio activity overload or consumption, that chlorophyll will combat it.”

Ben Lyons: So, that’s what you drink all the time huh?

Robert Downey Jr.: No, just during the movie. I think it takes a crap.

Ben Lyons: But obviously, you have to be concerned about your physical shape when you take on a movie like this. It’s very physically demanding role. How is it the second time? Do you push yourself harder? You feel the bumps and bruises this time around?

Robert Downey Jr.: Well, I came from doing Sherlock’s. I was already pretty lanky and I’ve been doing a lot of fighting, so I got just more back in the strength training and get my beard all tight and wearing all these suits and stuff.

Ben Lyons: I have to talk about Scarlett Johansson and how you say that she has the most difficult role in the film.

Robert Downey Jr.: I think so, yeah. I mean also, there was just a lot of pressure and that we’re essentially creating a new super hero in the Marvel universe. So, she had a lot of different elements that she had to get right and she’s superb. And then I went and start on broad way with Liev Schreiber after that and just like she’s—

Ben Lyons: She could do broad way and then she puts on this amazing suit and kicks ass?

Robert Downey Jr.: Yeah.

Ben Lyons: It’s like an incredible talent.

Robert Downey Jr.: She has, you know, unbelievable.

Ben Lyons: Tell me a little bit about all the side things that go with Iron Man because it’s not just a movie, the toys and the video games and all—

Robert Downey Jr.: You were on the toy room.

Ben Lyons: I was in the toy room very, very exciting for me.

Robert Downey Jr.: Yeah.

Ben Lyons: —with that stuff, you get excited?

Robert Downey Jr.: Well, the big standout item is of course the Mr. Potato Head Tony Starch. People love it.

Ben Lyons: I like that.

Robert Downey Jr.: They love a good plain words.

Ben Lyons: I like that one. That’s your favorite, the Tony starch.

Robert Downey Jr.: Yeah, that will be me after I’m done with this press tour and I eat pasta for two weeks.