UNITED KINGDOM: Robert Downey Jr. arrives in style for UK premiere of "Iron Man 3" in London

Record ID: 221070

  • Title: UNITED KINGDOM: Robert Downey Jr. arrives in style for UK premiere of "Iron Man 3" in London
  • Date: 18th April 2013
  • Summary: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (APRIL 18, 2013) (REUTERS) DOWNEY JR. POSES BY A RED CAR DOWNEY JR. SIGNS AUTOGRAPHS FOR FANS
  • Embargoed: 3rd May 2013 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: United Kingdom
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Topics: Entertainment,General
  • Reuters ID: LVA5ZTQJTC2WP5MX8JGAUL08P7SG
  • Story Text: Like the ostentatious Tony Stark he portrays in the "Iron Man" and "Avenger" movies, Robert Downey Jr. made a flamboyant entrance to the UK premiere of "Iron Man 3" on Thursday (18 April 2013) arriving through a hole in the centre of a purpose-built stage while accompanied by loud music and dry ice.
    He appeared to relish in the attention as he worked the red carpet with his wife Susan at his side.
    "I've got to tell you sometimes it's fun" he admitted to Reuters.
    "We're driving over here and I say to Susan 'what is going on?' - it's an odd part of my life because otherwise we're just chasing a sweet little boy around a hotel room," he added.
    "Iron Man 3" picks up chronologically just after "The Avengers" movie. The man inside the iron suit, Tony Stark, is suffering from anxiety attacks after his recent team escapades and is putting all his energy into his hobby of making more extravagant versions of his Iron Man.
    When mysterious explosions start happening and a man only known as The Mandarin (Sir Ben Kingsley) takes credit, Stark decides to take it on himself to start a fight against the villain.
    This is Downey Jr.'s fourth outing as Stark (or fifth if his cameo in "The Incredible Hulk" is included) after first appearing back in 2008 in the first "Iron Man" movie. There were numerous reports on Wednesday (17 April) that Downey Jr. may be wanting to part ways with the role.
    However, when asked what his official line was on whether he wanted to continue, he told Reuters "I wonder. I mean, the nice thing is that this has been a really massive effort between Avengers and this just getting to this part of Marvel's phase one plan or whatever it is. They did it all correctly. I'm very impressed and I think we're just going to regroup and see what's the next move."
    The premiere was originally scheduled to take place on Wednesday Apr.17 but because the funeral of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, who was nicknamed The Iron Lady, was taking place that day, the organisers decided to move the event to the day after. Due to the change is schedule, Gwyneth Paltrow was unable to attend.
    Despite being requested not to ask questions about Margaret Thatcher, one reporter asked if there were similarities between Gwyneth Paltrow and Thatcher. Downey Jr. shrugged it off, saying "The minute entertainers talk politics, bad press follows. Fortunately I've learned that from the mistakes of others."
    The other cast members able to attend were Rebecca Hall, who plays scientist Maya Hansen in the movie, and Don Cheadle who plays Stark's friend James Rhodes who also has his own Iron Man outfit as The Iron Patriot.
    Although many fans may have jumped at the chance to play the role, Cheadle warns it's not quite as fun as it looks.
    "I have many issues with the suit. Going to the bathroom is interesting, scratching your face you need three assistants to do all that stuff. It's really one of those things that I'm glad they make it look good in the movie because it's not a good experience inside of it," he explained, adding "it turns you into a turtle on its back who needs help. It's more like you're a grown-up baby."
    The threat of the main villain, The Mandarin, is made clear in the movie when an explosion happens outside a crowded Mann's Chinese Theater in Hollywood, killing or injuring tourists at the building.
    When asked if there were any worries about the scenes in the film given the recent events in Boston, Sir Ben Kingsley replied "I think I share a universal anxiety, share it with everybody here at this wonderful event. It's part of life that we will not live with and we won't tolerate it and it has to go."
    This sequel is directed by Shane Black, taking over from Jon Favreau who directed the first two movies. Favreau still maintains his role, though, as Stark's bodyguard Happy Hogan in the third movie.
    "Iron Man 3" goes on release in the UK on the April 26.
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