How Kiss Kiss Bang Bang Paved Downey Jr’s Path to Iron Man

Plenty of punters reckon Robert Downey Jr. made his big Hollywood comeback with Iron Man, but there’s a lesser-known comedy from 2005 that played a crucial role in his journey. Downey Jr. himself has called Kiss Kiss Bang Bang “the best film I’ve ever done,” and it’s the one that caught Jon Favreau’s eye, setting him up for the Marvel gig.

Downey Jr.’s Role That Set the Stage

In Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Downey Jr. takes on the part of Harry Lockhart, a small-time crook who stumbles into a film audition while on the run. He lands the lead and gets thrown into a wild murder mystery alongside Val Kilmer’s Perry van Shrike, a private detective, and Michelle Monaghan’s Harmony Faith Lane. The film’s blend of crime, comedy, and action gave Downey Jr. a chance to show off the same quick wit and vulnerability that would later define Tony Stark.

Fans have recently revisited a standout scene from the film, where Downey Jr.’s character auditions for a detective role. His performance, full of raw emotion and insecurity, not only impressed the fictional filmmakers but also left a mark on viewers. It’s easy to see why Favreau saw the potential for a superhero lead in this performance.

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is, I think, in some ways the best film I’ve ever done. It wound up being a calling card. It came out, and it bombed, but Jon Favreau saw it, and he said, ‘This guy could do an action movie.’ And so that wound up being my calling card into the Marvel Universe.

Why Give Kiss Kiss Bang Bang a Go?

Shane Black’s Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is a sharp neo-noir action-comedy that’s perfect for a Christmas watchlist. The story kicks off with Downey Jr. and Kilmer’s characters stumbling upon a body during a staged stakeout, dragging them into a tangled investigation. Despite the grim premise, the film keeps things light with plenty of banter and a buddy-cop vibe.

The action is fast-paced, the visuals are slick, and the chemistry between Downey Jr. and Kilmer is spot on. Kilmer even gave up drinking on set to support Downey Jr.’s recovery, showing the strong bond between the two. Black’s script is tight, with a new twist or thrill every half hour to keep the audience hooked.

Despite Downey Jr.’s trademark sarcasm and a strong cast, the film didn’t make a splash at the box office, earning just $15.8 million on a $15 million budget. Still, it’s become a cult favourite, with critics giving it an 86% on Rotten Tomatoes, 7.5 on IMDb, and 73 on Metacritic. The story is based on Brett Halliday’s novel Bodies Are Where You Find Them.

Landing the Role and Turning Things Around

Downey Jr.’s road to Kiss Kiss Bang Bang wasn’t smooth. In the late ’90s, he faced legal troubles and time behind bars for drug offences. After serving his sentence, he worked hard to get back on track, with mates like Mel Gibson lending a hand. His first big step back was a role in Gothika, where his pay was held until filming wrapped due to concerns about his addiction.

Shane Black’s script for Kiss Kiss Bang Bang had been knocked back by several studios before Joel Silver agreed to produce it. Other actors like Benicio del Toro, Hugh Grant, and Johnny Knoxville were considered, but Downey Jr. got the nod thanks to a strong audition and a fee that fit the film’s tight budget. He reportedly earned a similar amount for Iron Man, showing just how far he’d come.

Downey Jr. has always credited Kiss Kiss Bang Bang for giving him a second shot. He later helped director Shane Black land the job for Iron Man 3, and his career has only soared since, with an Oscar for Oppenheimer and a massive payday for Avengers: Doomsday. If you’re keen to see where it all started, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is now up for rent on Amazon and AppleTV.