ADVERTISEMENT













ADVERTISEMENT

'The Soloist' Star Robert Downey Jr. Reveals 'Iron Man 2' Secrets!

Canvas background demo

 

Robert Downey Jr. continues his cinematic hot streak as a journalist who befriends a homeless musician, played by Jamie Foxx, in 'The Soloist.' In addition to talking about the impact of the movie, he reveals a few 'Iron Man 2' secrets in the process!

"The film is almost entirely about character, and yet we still have twice as much action as we did last time, so it's going to be nuts," Robert tells our own Thea Andrews of the super sequel, set to start filming Monday. "Essentially 'Iron Man 2' is about looking behind the armor, or the armature, of a superhero. It's one thing to say you're Iron Man, it's another thing to be fully ready to do that."

Robert says he's no longer on his strict 'Sherlock Holmes' diet and has returned to some serious iron to once again portray Tony Stark: "I'm on Beefcake Charlie status," he jokes. "I've got to not be the skinny Brit anymore. I have to be the Tony that you know and may have loved."

As for co-star Scarlett Johansson, who plays the femme fatale Black Widow in the sequel, Robert says, "We've been rehearsing and she's in insane shape. She's getting lean and mean."

Based on a true story, 'The Soloist' (in theaters April 24) stars Robert as Steve Lopez, an L.A. Times journalist in search of a good story. He meets Nathaniel Anthony Ayers (Jamie), a homeless man who has a clear musical talent, despite working with only two strings on his violin.

"I knew it was going to be a tough, tough job," says Robert of Jamie's role. "You get to see if the person you're working with can [take on this real-life character] and do it with grace and dignity, and he did."

Lopez decides to write about Ayers, and soon discovers that he was once a Juilliard classical music prodigy whose promising career was sidelined by schizophrenia. Initially reluctant to take responsibility for Ayers, Lopez chooses to get involved with the troubled genius, leading to a life-changing friendship.

"I would spend hours and days with [director Joe Wright] and our crew and we had to ingratiate ourselves to [the homeless of L.A.], and I just found it to be a really, really wonderful, heartwarming thing," says Robert. "Rather than try to make them part of our cast, we became part of their community, and I think that's largely what the success of the film rests on."

Watch ET for more with Robert Downey Jr.!

Posted April 03, 2009 5:20:00 AM
See All: Iron Man 2 jamie foxx movies robert downey jr. scarlett johansson sherlock holmes The Soloist thea andrews

E-Mail | Print | | RSSRSS | 

Recent Headlines

Tops & Flops: A Week in Fashion!
November 7, 2009, 08:30 AM (PDT) 21 hours ago
Dennis Hopper on Cancer Battle: 'Everything's Good Right Now'
November 7, 2009, 08:10 AM (PDT) 22 hours ago
Susan Boyle to Sing on 'Dancing with the Stars'
November 7, 2009, 07:08 AM (PDT) 23 hours ago
Jennifer Lopez Sues Ex-Husband Over Alleged Home Videos and Movie Project
November 7, 2009, 07:02 AM (PDT) 23 hours ago
Rob Pattinson, Taylor Lautner and Kristen Stewart Talk 'New Moon'
November 6, 2009, 05:09 PM (PDT) A day ago
R Family Vacations Sails On
November 6, 2009, 04:45 PM (PDT) A day ago
New Pics: Selena Gomez at Disneyland
November 6, 2009, 04:40 PM (PDT) A day ago
Sneak a Peek! Brand-New 'The Twilight Saga: New Moon' Pics!
November 6, 2009, 04:11 PM (PDT) A day ago
Kelly Clarkson Rocks the Hard Rock!
November 6, 2009, 03:15 PM (PDT) A day ago
Report: Jaycee Dugard Tried to Cover Up Her Identity
November 6, 2009, 03:00 PM (PDT) A day ago

Jennifer Lopez Sues Ex-Husband Over Alleged Home Videos and Movie Project
Nov 07, 2009 07:02 AM (PDT)
 
Sneak a Peek! Brand-New 'The Twilight Saga: New Moon' Pics!
Nov 06, 2009 04:11 PM (PDT)
 
Choose the Model Who Will Join Heidi Klum When she Hosts the Victoria's Secret Fashon Show!
Nov 06, 2009 02:10 PM (PDT)
 
ADVERTISEMENT
  • StylistAnya: Tune in to THE INSIDER this week to see the most fab coats, gloves, scarves and more! It's time for WINTER FASHION!
  • BradBesseyET: In the wake of the Ro-Kelli split, we're happy that R Family Vacations will sail on with gay-family vacations - www.rfamilyvacations.com
  • StylistAnya: Have a fashion question? Style emergency? Just go to theinsider.com and click on "Ask Anya" I will answer your questions!
  • BradBesseyET: Golden Girl Hospitalized! Rue McClanahan is recovering from heart bypass surgery performed yesterday in New York. Speedy Recovery Rue!!!
  • BradBesseyET: Just saw some behind-the-scenes of Oprah and Ellen's photo shoot for the special December issue of O Magazine...great stuff!

Catch Hollywood's brightest stars out on the town!

View Star Sightings Gallery

Do you think your fave celeb's style is super sweet or totally beat?

View Hit or Miss Gallery

See whose glamorous style is turning heads around town!

View Glam Squad Gallery

See First Lady Michelle Obama's fabulous fashions within the first 100 days and more!

View the Michelle Obama Fashion Gallery