By Marc Strom

When the announcement of Robert Downey, Jr. playing Tony Stark in the upcoming "Iron Man" film first took the world by storm, fans knew the brilliant casting meant that Shellhead's big screen debut would burst onto the scene as another instant Marvel classic!

The Oscar-nominated actor will bring his incredible talent to the world of Marvel's Armored Avenger in just four short weeks, and Marvel.com has assembled a list of the top five reasons why we're psyched to see RDJ bring Iron Man to life when the movie debuts on May 2!

5: He's Got the Look Down Pat
The hair, the moustache, the faint hint of a smile always threatening to break through his lips… and on top of it all, he ain't that bad on the eye. With RDJ in the role, fans won't have a hard time believing Tony Stark lives the life of a billionaire with the cars and lifestyle to match! Even his walk, more like a languid devil-may-care stroll than anything else, epitomizes the Tony Stark we know and love.

4: He's Got the Personality as Well
Have you seen the trailers? With his wry wit and casual demeanor, Downey Jr. exudes Tony Stark from his every pore. RDJ's Stark remains ice-cool no matter what the situation, and he brings the perfect amount of snark to every scene. The actor's titanic performance makes Stark into a leader we would have no qualms following into battle! And when you've found someone who can bring the awesome even while under a massive suit of armor, you know you've got a keeper!

3: His Love and Understanding of Iron Man
Downey Jr.'s professed love of Iron Man means that fans can expect a performance true to the character's roots! The actor's keen familiarity with the character also gives him particular insight into the inner workings of Tony Stark's mind, further making him the perfect choice to play our favorite armored hero.

2: He's a Great Actor
RDJ rocks the big screen as one of the most versatile actors alive. From his stint on "Saturday Night Live" to his Oscar-nominated performance in the title role of "Chaplin," Downey has acted his way through every role possible, and he's done it with flair to spare. With that much skill, investing Stark with both the humor and internal drama that the character demands must seem like a walk in the park for the master actor.

1: RDJ Puts the "Man" in "Iron Man"
Making a billionaire genius into a character an audience can readily sympathize with would present a challenge to many actors, but in every trailer we've seen so far, Downey Jr. manages to present Stark as a lovable—if sometimes irascible—human being. Steadfast yet flawed, RDJ makes Stark as vulnerable as your average Joe while maintaining his heroic character. What more could you possibly ask for?



Need to catch up on your Iron Man reading? Looking for the perfect stories starring Ol' Shellhead? Check out our list of the 10 Collections marked as required reading by any Iron Man fan!



See "Iron Man" now at a theater near you! Visit the official "Iron Man" movie site! Also, get INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #1 at comic retailers everywhere, Wed., May 7!