In 1996, Robert Downey Jr appeared on TV in handcuffs. A director wrote him a movie in four days: “I felt bad for him”
Robert Downey Jr was in the midst of severe drug and legal troubles in 1996, when director James Toback saw footage of him appearing in court in handcuffs. Feeling sympathy for the actor, Toback wrote the black comedy *Two Girls and a Guy* in four days, hoping to give him a bold role after rehab.
The film, which also starred Heather Graham, earned about $2 million and did not halt Downey’s troubles: he later served time in prison and underwent mandatory rehab. After further arrests, he got clean around 2006 and was cast in *Iron Man*, beginning his run as Tony Stark and a major chapter in the Marvel films.
In short
- Toback wrote a film for Downey after seeing him in court.
- *Two Girls and a Guy* was written in four days.
- Downey later got clean and became Tony Stark in *Iron Man*.
Explained simply
Robert Downey Jr is an American actor whose career was interrupted in the 1990s by drug use, arrests and court cases. Director James Toback saw television footage of Downey appearing in court in handcuffs and wrote Two Girls and a Guy, a black comedy, with him in mind; Heather Graham also starred.
The film was one attempt to give Downey a leading role after rehab, but it did not resolve his legal and drug problems. After further arrests and treatment, he later returned to acting and was cast as Tony Stark in Iron Man, a role that brought him to a much wider audience.
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