Featured Image Credit: Marvel Studios
Topics: Iron Man, Robert Downey Jr
Anish Vij
Fans are losing it after realising how Marvel 'put a hole' in Robert Downey Jr's chest in Iron Man.
While the 2008 movie rejuvenated Downey Jr's acting career, for youngsters like myself, it was the first time we'd seen him on-screen.
The Oppenheimer star instantly became our favourite superhero, and for a teenager growing up without smartphones, it was one of the coolest things we had ever witnessed.
I mean, the 'I Am Iron Man' moment, for instance, was repeated in grammar schools all around the world.
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However, one thing I'd never been able to get my head around is how they managed to 'put a hole' in Tony Stark's chest.
In the film, the genius inventor, who was inured and kidnapped in a war zone, had to keep an 'arc reactor' in his chest to survive.
It stopped the shrapnel in his body entering his heart, which would kill him.
Viewers at home, even to this day, are stumped at how the hole was created.
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Commenting on a resurfaced behind-the-scenes video of how it was done, one fan tweeted: "Does he actually have a hole in his chest?"
"Damn bro really had a hole in his chest," a second thought, while a third added: "HE HAD A REAL HOLE???"
Despite concerns, viewers clearly didn't watch the whole video as Marvel Studios showed us exactly how they made it look like Stark had a hole in his chest.
Basically, they used a prosthetic chest designed with the hole for the reactor.
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What made it look so real though was the fact Downey Jr. was actually stood up as the shot was filmed, while it appeared the actor was lying down.
The producers also made sure to use a bright light on the fake torso so it would hide any obvious shadows from the viewer.
It turns out that the same technique was used on Star Trek: First Contact for the first look at the Borg Queen.
Well, it goes without saying that the film rejuvenated his career after a previous Oscar nomination was marred by substance abuse issues, leading to a number of arrests and a stint in rehab.
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Thankfully, after overcoming his demons, Downey Jr. went on to star in three standalone Iron Man movies and in a total of 10 Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) pictures over 11 years.
And earlier this year he finally got his Oscar for Best Supporting Actor in Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer.