Timothy Olyphant On How His Failed IRON MAN Audition Led To THE MANDALORIAN

Timothy Olyphant On How His Failed IRON MAN Audition Led To THE MANDALORIAN

Justified star Timothy Olyphant recalls the auditioning process with Jon Favreau and how that paid off years later with him being cast in The Mandalorian.

By MarkJulian - Aug 01, 2023 06:08 AM EST
Filed Under: Iron Man
Source: The Playlist

Everyone always harkens back to the fact that Tom Cruise nearly played Iron Man before Robert Downey Jr. was eventually cast in the role, but it seems actor Timothy Olyphant also auditioned for the chance to lead the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Speaking to The Playlist to promote his upcoming new series (interview was conducted prior to the SAG-AFTRA strike), Olyphant shared what his thoughts were when he auditioned for the role nearly 20 years ago.   

I can only tell you that I remember thinking that was the first time where, because I’m a bit of a slow learner and I think I was scared to death of the things that come with success in this business, but that was the time where I remember thinking, ‘Well, I can’t get any more grounded and so this would be fun," said Olyphant.

He added, "And so, if you’re going to go down that road, you’re not going to find anyone better to go down it with [than Jon Favreau], so I have fond memories of that experience, you know? I try to see things simply for what they are and not what they could be and any conversations I had with Jon about that job and about that process, I remember it very fondly. It was an enjoyable process…And, well, he’s the one who hired me for [‘The Mandalorian’], so he doesn’t owe me anything."

Though he missed out on playing Tony Stark in the MCU, many years later, Olyphant was cast as Cobb Vanth in The Mandalorian and also appeared in The Book of Boba Fett.

Interestingly enough, Olyphant revealed that he and Robert Downey Jr. actually auditioned on the same day.  One little twist of fate, and the MCU could look very different from the one we know and love today.

Clive Owen was actually Marvel's top choice for the role of Iron Man and he reportedly had the offer in hand but ultimately passed.

The 8-episode Justified: City Primeval revival premiered on FX back on July 18, 2023. The season finale will air on August 29, 2023.

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CaptainAustralia
CaptainAustralia - 8/1/2023, 6:51 AM
What on earth does this actually mean? Can someone translate actor-waffle into sensible English?

“I can only tell you that I remember thinking that was the first time where, because I’m a bit of a slow learner and I think I was scared to death of the things that come with success in this business, but that was the time where I remember thinking, ‘Well, I can’t get any more grounded and so this would be fun." And so, if you’re going to go down that road, you’re not going to find anyone better to go down it with [than Jon Favreau], so I have fond memories of that experience, you know? I try to see things simply for what they are and not what they could be and any conversations I had with Jon about that job and about that process, I remember it very fondly."
TheVisionary25
TheVisionary25 - 8/1/2023, 7:09 AM
Even though I wouldn’t trade RDJ as Tony for anything , I think he could have been interesting in the role aswell…



Dude was one of my choices for Reed Richards but is too old now for the role.

Anyway , I like him as “Cobb Vanth” in the Mandoverse so I’m looking forward to seeing more of him there!!.
Kurne
Kurne - 8/1/2023, 7:34 AM
RDJ was great but I definitely wouldn't have opposed to Olyphant in the role at all, even to this day. I could see him pulling off Tony closer to the comics more consistently past the first Iron Man movie/throughout the MCU. It also would have been cool seeing Olyphant's Tony more physically matched up with Evans and Hemsworth.
HammerLegFoot
HammerLegFoot - 8/1/2023, 7:47 AM
Olyphant walks so weird to me. Has anyone noticed how weird he walks or is it just me?
TheHumanSpider2
TheHumanSpider2 - 8/1/2023, 8:51 AM
While no Tom Cruise, this dude in the mid 00s was a really solid pick for the character.
TheShellyMan
TheShellyMan - 8/1/2023, 9:44 AM
But hey... The multiverse is open, he can always play the character.
MotherGooseUPus
MotherGooseUPus - 8/1/2023, 10:13 AM
I pretty much like anything Olyphant is in... he has a great range from the asshole in The Girl Next Door, to Hitman (bad movie but liked him) to Cobb... i need to get on the Justified train, heard he and the show are fantastic
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