Robert Downey Jr names Avengers character he wanted to play – and it's not Iron Man

‘I can’t think of any red-blooded American boy that didn’t imagine themselves as him’

If Robert Downey Jr was given a choice over which character he played in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it seems he would not have picked Iron Man.

The actor, who is promoting new film Dolittle, made the admission during a Radio 1 segment that sees famous people answer questions submitted by children.

When asked which superhero he would have played if not Tony Stark, Downey Jr replied: “I can’t think of any red-blooded American boy that didn’t imagine themselves as Spider-Man growing up.”

He also revealed that he would have loved to play the role of Hawkeye, thanks to his plot line in Avengers: Endgame.

“However, looking back on it now – also because I’m just such a Jeremy Renner fan and he made it so cool, particularly when he turns into Ronin – I would say Hawkeye would be my go-to.”

The actor played Stark up until last year’s blockbuster, though is expected to return briefly in the forthcoming Black Widow, which is set before the events of Endgame.

He has also reprised the role for animated series What If...?, which will be broadcast on Disney+ in 2021.

Otherwise, as he recently told Extra TV, he is “good to let [the character] go”.

Dolittle, which is being panned by critics, is in cinemas now.