JON FAVREAU - JON FAVREAU: IRON MAN IS 'ANTI-SUPERHERO'

JON FAVREAU: IRON MAN IS 'ANTI-SUPERHERO'

Iron Man director Jon Favreau has explained that Tony Stark, the protagonist of the new blockbuster, is an "antihero".

The Marvel Comics movie opens in a May crowded with major releases - including The Incredible Hulk and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull - and with formerly-troubled actor Robert Downey Jr as the leading man, Paramount Pictures may have feared an underwhelming box officer performance.

But according to Favreau - director of Elf and Zathura - the Oscar-nominated actor is the ideal choice to play the role of Tony Stark, a swaggering industrialist who chooses to use his technical expertise for good after being kidnapped and forced to build an armoured war suit.

"Downey brings a lot of attitude to the '60s cad bachelor paradigm," Favreau explained to Variety.

"He had fun with his antihero, and made him likeable. I wanted an alternative to the traditional DC fearless superhero like Superman. Marvel heroes had quirks and lived in New York City and had disagreements with one another."

He added: "The movies have an epic size and scope. I was trying to steer clear of Batman Begins. I wanted to keep it light and rock 'n' roll."

But despite the amorality of the character - whose weapons dealing helps to spur the Middle Eastern conflict - Favreau believes the complexity of Downey Jr's portrayal of Stark lies in his "redemption".

"We made the story about a man who finds his heart and seeks to do justice and help others," he said.

"It's not a specifically American story. Our hero offers a simple, inspired solution to these complicated times."

Iron Man opens on May 2nd.