“Moral certainty is always a sign of cultural inferiority. The more uncivilized the man, the surer he is that he knows precisely what is right and what is wrong. The truly civilized man is always skeptical and tolerant, in this field as in all others. His culture is based on ‘I am not too sure.’” -H.L. Mencken


Henry Louis Mencken and Robert Downey Jr. did not cross paths in life (though it’s fun to imagine that conversation), but the essayist’s quote is an apt description of the actor’s approach to life. Downey’s restless intelligence is reflected in his ability to express several contradictory points of view simultaneously, making sense all the while. He can be direct one moment and elusive the next, often spinning off on seemingly unrelated tangents. But like watching a juggler on a wire, being in Downey’s presence is a riveting experience.

For someone who almost from the outset was deemed “the greatest actor of his generation”, the majority of Robert Downey, Jr.’s career has been filled with big commercial flops, “critically acclaimed” flops, very public struggles with drugs and more than a little jail time – all of which have landed him squarely in some of the biggest blockbuster films in recent history. It’s an unlikely hero story, but then Robert Downey Jr. is an unlikely hero.

If you ask Robert Downey Jr., just because Iron Man 3 raked it in at the box office last weekend doesn't mean a sequel's a sure thing. So, after noting the "economy really is weird" and hoping to do something to nudge Marvel along, the Hollywood star joked on Jimmy Kimmel Live Tuesday night that he's launching an Iron Man 4 Kickstarter campaign.

"I wasn't getting a lot of support, and a buddy told me there's this Kickstarter thing. So if you wanna see a sequel, go to Kickstarter.com and put in your vote," Downey cracked. "Every little bit helps."

"You can never have too many Iron Men," quipped Kimmel. Or bucks for that matter.

Since hitting theaters last Friday, Iron Man 3 has earned a whopping $175.3 million domestically, scoring the second biggest opening weekend of all time behind last year's The Avengers. All told, its worldwide haul now tops $711 million - pretty impressive for a threequel.

Following the mammoth success of Shane Black’s Iron Man 3 in the US over the weekend, debuting to huge numbers and becoming the second-highest opening of all time, talk has naturally turned to what comes next in Marvel’s Phase Two and beyond. Most specifically, it regards the status of an Iron Man 4 and Joss Whedon’s The Avengers 2 and beyond.

Robert Downey, Jr. fulfilled his original contract with Marvel with the release of Iron Man 3, leaving him a) in a strong bargaining position as, essentially, the face of the franchise, and b) without any legal obligation to return (hence a)).

Marvel will of course most likely do their utmost to bring Downey, Jr. back to the fold for future movies. Around the globe, he is not only the face of Tony Stark / Iron Man. He essentially is Tony Stark / Iron Man. And for a lot of people, Iron Man is the biggest reason they turn out for the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

THR are now reporting that on Monday, Robert Downey, Jr.’s wife and producing partner, Susan Downey, organised a private dinner for RDJ and a little under two-dozen others, including Marvel’s chief man Kevin Feige, Disney’s head Alan Horn, and Iron Man 3’s director Shane Black.

Ostensibly, the dinner was arranged to celebrate the substantial success of the latest blockbuster, which kicks off Phase Two of the Marvel Cinematic Universe flawlessly. But it’s also thought that the meal was the starting point for talks about what comes next for Downey, Jr. in the franchise.

I've added new candids of Robert carrying some luggage to his SUV for an outing with his wife Susan and son Exton in Beverly Hills on Sunday. Robert and Susan also went on a date tomorrow evening.

I've added six new Iron Man 3 stills to the gallery. Have you seen the movie yet? And what do you think? :)

Robert Downey Jr.’s next project, The Judge, is set to begin production in and around Boston this summer and now more details about the production have emerged.

According to a recent casting call in the Boston area, the Warner Brothers movie will not only film in the Boston area but will also shoot scenes in Shelburne Falls in Western Massachusetts.

The local newspaper in Shelburne Falls also reports producers were in town last week “with notebooks marked ‘The Judge — trial run’ visited shop merchants, toured buildings, and even went on rooftops to consider possible camera angles, according to some people…When asked if the movie will be shot in the village, a stunt coordinator with the film crew, said ‘yes,’ and that a local production office would be set up.”

The crew seemed particularly interested in Shelburne Falls’ Memorial Hall which they would use for staging and extras holding.

Production on the movie, which will also star Leighton Meester, Vera Farmiga, Robert Duvall, Vincent D’Onofrio, and Billy Bob Thornton, is expected to begin on June 3, 2013.

The drama follows Hank Palmer (RDJ), a successful attorney who returns to his hometown for his mother’s funeral and discovers his Alzheimer’s-stricken father is suspected of murder and that he must represent him in court.

Robert is featured on the cover of Sharp Magazine, May 2013 issue.

Even Tony Stark would be impressed with Iron Man 3‘s incredible domestic opening weekend.

Disney’s $200 million superhero sequel earned $175.3 million in its first three days in North America from 4,253 theaters — the second best opening weekend of all time behind The Avengers‘ $207.4 million bow on this weekend a year ago. Globally, Iron Man 3‘s total now stands at an estimated $680.1 million after 12 days of release, and in China, the film’s number one international market, it’s earned a stunning $63.5 million after just five days.

First of all, I've added scans of an article about Robert from Ragmag Magazine - we only had the cover in the gallery. I've also updated with four new covers and scans of various magazines. Take a look and enjoy!

Photographer and director Sam Jones interviewed Robert Downey Jr. for his show Off Camera. Watch the preview of the episode below - some screencaps have already been added to the gallery!