Robert Downey Jr. honors Jon Favreau at Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony

Jon Favreau certainly can get credited for a lot, as the filmmaker helmed the inaugural film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Had Iron Man not worked, perhaps the universe would not have taken off the way it has, and franchise filmmaking may have looked different today. The Swingers star has recently received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and helping to celebrate the occasion was Tony Stark himself. Entertainment Tonight reports on Robert Downey Jr.’s heartfelt speech given in the Robert Downey Jr. fashion as it was laced with good-natured humor.

Equally, Robert Downey Jr.’s career may not have soared the way it has if were not for Favreau, as the director fought for Downey to be the lead in Iron Man. “Sixteen years ago this week, Jon and I were in preproduction on what felt like a high-concept indie. We were fueled by this infectious yet unfounded confidence.I was beyond grateful for the power of second chances. Strangely, Kevin Feige trusted us, he and I trusted Jon, and for no good reason, Jon and Kevin trusted me,” Downey recites in his speech.

Downey continues, “Iron Man was a second-tier superhero property that had no shot at affording Kevin Feige the opportunity to launch a cinematic universe because there was no such thing as a cinematic universe. I would never insinuate that it was me who made Jon a multi-hyphenate international sensation ’cause I have to leave something for his speech.”

“He has somehow bridged the gap between being a household name, still sometimes confused with that of a political speech writer, while maintaining a level of personal humility. The ride I’ve shared with him is too [great] to even imagine, and yet it’s only a small part of his larger storytelling journey that continues to leave us elevated, inspired, and connected. These tales are often explorations of his own struggles, losses, hopes, and dreams.” When Downey was considered too risky for Marvel to hinge their franchise — their universe — on him, Favreau refused to do the film without him.

Then, Downey caps the speech off by demonstrating some of that patented self-gratification, “I am so deeply impressed with this speech I’m giving you right now. It is checking all the boxes. I’m sure many of you will be reposting it ASAFP and rewinding back through Jon’s pending speech to view this introduction several times at minimum.”