G.O.D.’s artist rendition of Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man

It’s official. Variety reports today that Robert Downey Jr. has signed on to play Tony Stark in Jon Favreau’s upcoming Marvel-financed superhero flick IRON MAN, which is slated for release in May ‘08.

I can’t help but take small issue with this choice, as I always envisioned someone more with of an heir of nobility, like Timothy Dalton or Rupert Everett, as the bastard billionaire genius. Not that I’m saying Stark need be played by a British actor, but think Dalton as Prince Barin in FLASH GORDON. Not bad, right?

But taking into consideration some of Downey’s really stand-out performances, like Wayne Gale from NATURAL BORN KILLERS, Harry Lockhart in KISS KISS, BANG BANG, and most recently Jim Barris in A SCANNER DARKLY, I concede that he has more than enough talent to be capable of really owning the role of Stark.

Ironically, Downey’s well publicized battle with drug and alcohol addiction may actually help him to better embody the spirit of Stark, who battled alcoholism himself.

And considering that the rumor-mill has been kicking around Tom Cruise as a possibility for the role these past few months — a choice I’m certain would have completely ruined Iron Man for many future generations (in the same way that I’m sure Nick Cage will be ruining GHOST RIDER a few months from now) — I admit Robert Downey Jr. is at least a wild-card that allows me to maintain a certain level optimism.

Is Jon Favreau crazy, or a genius? What do you think?