Robert Downey, Jr. is a name that can be used as synonymous with the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The franchise was launched back in 2008 with Iron Man, which got Downey entitled with superstar while Marvel became the biggest draws.
Dolittle has been part of MCU being spinoff movies that includes Downey's appearance for which he received a pretty good amount for a role that lasted hardly for even 10 minutes on-screen. Before donning the character of Tony Shark and wearing the metal suit, the Sherlock Holmes star was seen in several movies such as Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Zodiac, and The Pick-Up Artist.
Downey got recognized for his work in Chaplin released in 1992 and Tropic Thunder released in 2008 by getting nominated at the Oscars. Given that, the actor never had a problem with his performance on-screen while he struggled from an early age by substance abuse.
He was even arrested for cocaine possession in 1996, a pistol and heroin were found when police stopped him for speeding. The Weird Science star was sent to prison in California for three years for a probation violation as per the reports.
Due to his documented addiction and incarceration issues the career was halted for a long time, many people predicted that its end of his profession in the entertainment industry as no new offers were coming his way.
Jon Favreau, Marvel director reveals how it was difficult to sell Downey to the Marvel studios considering his record. Back in 2008 when Favreau was convincing the studio to cast him as Tony Stark, the studio didn't look at Downey as an asset.
He further mentioned in an interview, how he felt being a director that was responsible to present Downey as best fit creatively, eventually which made the MCU the biggest franchise. The Jungle Book director had to fight to keep Downey and finally he won over as he saw the obvious similarities between Downey and Tony Stark's journey.
Marvel studio decided to get Downey when they rebooted Spider-Man, acknowledging the fan following. Producers made Iron Man's cameo in Spider-Man: Homecoming which was released in 2017. As expected, even the appearance of Downey was for a few minutes the movie received a lot more credibility along with the audience.
Perhaps paying $10 million for less than 10 minutes' role wasn't an issue for the producers in Homecoming while many people think this is a ridiculous amount, the movie successfully smashed the box office which many anticipated due to Downey’s cameo.