In our haste to congratulate the producers of Marvel's planned Iron Man movie on the inspired casting of oft-troubled, now-sober Robert Downey, Jr, as their project's titular, boozy superhero, we may have missed an important milestone in the actor's long journey from being tweaked in a Culver City alley to being a viable, above-the-title star in a big-budget production. The Hot Blog explains, wondering aloud:

I hadn't thought about this, but...

Doesn't Robert Downey, Jr. getting Iron Man suggest that now, after what seems to me might be 5 full years of sobriety, that he is insurable?

I can't imagine that Paramount or anyone else would greenlight a movie of this size without a completion bond tat includes its central star. So, a landmark for Downey, no?

It's easy to see how this kind of landmark could pass unnoticed, as a performer's official passing from "ticking timebomb" to "actuarially acceptable relapse risk" is something best celebrated quietly with one's agent, manager, and lawyer, not by Paramount erecting a tent on its lot for a Return To Insurability blow-out with full catering and an open bar.

• Hmmm... [The Hot Blog]
• Previously: Robert Downey Jr., Troubled Superhero [Defamer]

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