Robert Downey Jr., the acclaimed actor known for his portrayal of Tony Stark/Iron Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, recently revealed his affinity for the iconic rock band AC/DC during an interview on the ‘Oppenheimer’ press tour. The connection between Downey Jr.’s character and AC/DC began with the first ‘Iron Man’ film, and the actor’s favorite AC/DC song is linked to his superhero alter ego.
“Back in Black”: RDJ’s Favorite AC/DC Song
When asked about his liking for AC/DC during an interview with WIRED, Robert Downey Jr. responded enthusiastically:
“C’mon! Of course. ‘Back In Black’ from the first ‘Iron Man.’ Thunder! [Makes guitar strumming sound] There’s your sound bite, buddy.”
The song ‘Back in Black’ holds a special place in Downey Jr.’s heart and marks the beginning of a significant association between the rock band and the Marvel superhero.
2. AC/DC’s Thunder in the ‘Iron Man’ Series
The connection between AC/DC and ‘Iron Man’ goes beyond a simple music preference. Director Jon Favreau recognized the power of pairing AC/DC’s iconic sound with Tony Stark’s superhero persona. In the first ‘Iron Man’ film, ‘Back in Black’ was featured, solidifying the association between the two. Jon Favreau’s decision to use the band’s ‘Shoot to Thrill’ in a key scene in ‘Iron Man 2’ further strengthened the bond between AC/DC and the beloved superhero character.
In an interview with LA Times, Favreau explained his choice for ‘Shoot to Thrill’:
“When I was watching AC/DC with my wife and my son, and they were playing ‘Shoot To Thrill’ at the Forum, I thought, you know, this is how he [Tony Stark] should show up, right in the middle of this and take the armor off. That’s the Tony Stark version of doing things.”
The combination of AC/DC’s electrifying music and Tony Stark’s suave presence made for a captivating cinematic experience.
AC/DC’s Dominance on the ‘Iron Man’ Soundtrack
The impact of AC/DC on the ‘Iron Man’ series extended to the movie soundtracks. The first ‘Iron Man’ movie’s soundtrack album featured ‘Back in Black’ along with fifteen other AC/DC songs. The soundtrack album’s massive success was evident when it debuted at number 1 on the UK Albums Chart, marking AC/DC’s third number 1 album in the UK. The collaboration between AC/DC and ‘Iron Man’ became an iconic moment in film and music history.