Movies - TV
Robert Downey Jr. Created A New ‘Language' For Controlling Iron Man's Suit
By WITNEY SEIBOLD
Since his debut in 2008's "Iron Man," getting into the titular suit became easier for Tony Stark with each new appearance, such as being able to summon it in "Iron Man 3."
To do so, Tony Stark would need to make an "activation" gesture to call pieces of the suit. Apparently, the gestures were something actor Robert Downey Jr. needed to create.
In "Iron Man 3 Unmasked," Downey Jr. talked about his invented codified body language and briefly explained the gestures he used for his character to summon pieces of the armor.
To "activate" the magnets in his body, Downey raised his right index finger with his left fist clasped behind his back to indicate he was in control.
Then, to summon the first piece of armor, he held his right elbow at a 90-degree angle from his body, keeping his fist aloft, while thrusting his left arm forward, palm up.
After catching a few pieces on his body as a test, Downey then held up two "hang loose" gestures (hands raised with pinkies and thumbs extended) to summon the rest of the pieces.