Iron Man: Ranking All Of Robert Downey Jr.'s MCU Performances From Worst To Best

There's arguably no other performance in the entirety of the MCU that saw an actor make his-or-her take on the character as instantly iconic as Robert Downey Jr.'s performance in the first Iron Man did.

Within minutes of him appearing on-screen, he had completely changed the way the public perceived Tony Stark as a character. instantly making the role his own and ensuring himself as the Iron Man. A huge part of that is thanks to the sheer unparalleled energy he brings to the role here. After years away from the spotlight, this was Downey's big shot at redemption and from the moment the film begins, it feels as if Downey is determined to take back his legacy and then some.

The importance of Jon Favreau can also not be overstated here. This film had an incredibly hectic shooting schedule, with rewrites essentially being done on-set, and Favreau and Downey essentially crafted this iconic version of the character themselves on the day. In giving Downey the space to perform and imbue Tony with so much of his own personality, Favreau allowed him to craft one of the most iconic performances of the decade.