20 Greatest Performances In Superhero Movies

2. Robert Downey Jr. - Iron Man (Marvel Cinematic Universe)

Robert Downey Iron Man Tony Stark
Paramount Pictures

Without Robert Downey Jr.'s hilarious, enormouly entertaining performance in the original Iron Man, would the Marvel Cinematic Universe be where it is today?

Drawing on his own much-publicised personal demons but never simply "playing himself", Downey's Tony Stark is one of the most deceptively nuanced characters in contemporary superhero movies.

Sure, everyone loves his rendition of the character for the quick wit and off-kilter eccentricity, but Downey also nails the more anxious, urgent aspects of the character, as best exemplified in Iron Man 3 and Captain America: Civil War.

Capable of squeezing fun banter out of practically anyone he's paired with, his Tony Stark is the dependable cornerstone of the franchise, and whoever inevitably replaces him in the role is in an extremely unenviable position.

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Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes). General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.