Robert Downey Jr has admitted that taking on the role of Iron Man changed 'everything' for him.
The actor played the character of Tony Stark for the first time back in 2008 - a sequel two years later was even more successful and the franchise has helped him get his career back on track.
Speaking to the Los Angeles Times the actor said: "The first one changed everything for me. And with the second Iron Man there were certain aspects that were dissatisfying and disappointing to me but at least they lit me right."
"[The first one] was a meditation on responsibility and an exploration of how a small group of people can take a two-dimensional idea and, if the winds are right, create something that makes people say, 'That was my favourite movie of the year'."
He will reprise the role next year with The Avengers, which sees him team up with Chris Hemsworth, Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo and Jeremy Renner.
A third instalment of the Iron Man franchise is in the pipeline but Jon Favreau will not be in the director's chair.
And Downey Jr will be returning to another role this winter with Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows - which sees him reprise the role of the title character.
Guy Ritchie is once again in the director's chair while Jude Law is also back as Doctor Watson.
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