The strangest aspect of the latest superhero franchise-wannabe is also probably its most welcome: Robert Downey Jr. - 43 years old and the survivor of a few all-too-human battles - is playing Tony Stark, multimillionaire industrialist turned iron-clad avenger. (Think Howard Hughes with sweet body armor.) That's not the only bit of casting to unsettle the fanboys: Samuel L. Jackson plays Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D., Gwyneth Paltrow tries to keep a straight face as love-interest "Pepper" Potts, and Jeff Bridges shaves his head to play nemesis Iron Monger. Another dumb summer tent pole? Possibly, but there are smart people involved, and that includes director Jon Favreau ("Swingers," "Elf").

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