‘I Just Wish That…’: Robert Downey Jr. Comments on Elon Musk Echoing Tony Stark in Real Life

As a long-time fan and observer of both the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and real-life tech giants, I find it fascinating to compare Robert Downey Jr.’s character, Tony Stark, with Elon Musk. While there are undeniable similarities in their innovative minds and larger-than-life personas, I believe there’s room for improvement in Musk’s public behavior, as suggested by Downey Jr. himself.


The character played by Robert Downey Jr., Tony Stark from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and Elon Musk, the actual tech entrepreneur, share many similarities. However, RDJ offers some advice on how Musk might better emulate the fictional character in real life.

In an interview on the “On with Kara Swisher” podcast, the actor portraying Sherlock Holmes was asked for his thoughts on Elon Musk emulating Tony Stark in real life. Initially, Downey Jr. mentioned that he’s only crossed paths with Musk a few times during this engaging conversation.

Nevertheless, the Due Date star continued by expressing, “I’d prefer if he could rein in his actions a bit more, but that’s not my responsibility. Frankly, the notion of ‘Everything is fine because we need to reach Mars’ doesn’t sit well with me.

During the podcast discussion, Robert Downey Jr. emphasized that we should examine Elon Musk’s accomplishments and aims in life because they clearly illustrate his worth or importance.

According to Iron Man screenwriter Mark Fergus, who talked to New York Magazine, Elon Musk significantly influenced the creation of the character Tony Stark. Both men exhibit similar technical skills, as well as a shared arrogance and impulsiveness, as described by Fergus.

In a 2022 interview held in August, the screenwriter openly mentioned that the character of Tony Stark, just like Donald Trump and Steve Jobs, possesses some similar traits.

In his subsequent comments, Fegus revealed that when designing the film character, he drew inspiration from Elon Musk, envisioning him as a blend of Musk’s characteristics with the genius of Steve Jobs and the flair of Donald Trump. Moreover, Fegus described Musk as the unique individual who possesses an intrinsic “fun factor” coupled with a star-like appeal and tangible business acumen.

In case you’re unaware, during the 2010 film Iron Man 2, Robert Downey Jr., portraying Tony Stark, had a brief on-screen appearance alongside Elon Musk.

The two were seen meeting each other at the Monaco Grand Prix. 

From 2008 until the iconic Avengers: Endgame in 2019, Robert Downey Jr. portrayed the beloved Iron Man character. The genius inventor Tony Stark, who is also a billionaire, playboy, and philanthropist, ultimately gave his life to save the universe during a battle against Thanos’ vast army, as played by Josh Brolin.

In contrast, Robert Downey Jr.’s adventure with Marvel Studios is not over just yet. The actor has been confirmed to reappear in upcoming Avengers movies, taking on the sinister role of the formidable Dr. Doom.

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2024-10-25 16:46