The first thing I learned as a paparazzo was that there are plenty of times that celebrities don't mind when paparazzi are around, and it was always a great feeling when they would smile or wave, legitimizing the "stalking" type behavior we get justifiable hate for.
On this particular day I was checking the Four Seasons Hotel because there were some autograph seekers lurking on the curb, which meant someone was inside.
Soon Robert Downey Jr came out, sporting a white blazer and a purple tee shirt with a Shazam lightning bolt on it, which was ironic because of course Shazam used to be known as Captain Marvel before the character was acquired by DC Comics.
Robert was in a great mood that day because, little did I know at the time, he was gearing up to begin filming 'Iron Man 2' just 3 days after these photos were taken. So when you think about the timing, it was the exact point when the MCU began to take shape after the success of the first film. Robert was just starting to enjoy his triumphant comeback, which would only continue to snowball for years and to this day. But back then, we didn't know if it was just a fluke, or was this Marvel Cinematic Universe going to turn into something.
Another notable detail from that day, I also saw Terrence Howard leaving the hotel around the same time. It was reported that Don Cheadle only had a few hours to decide to take on the role replacing Howard when filming began this same week, so I've always wondered if Howard was still on the project when that meeting happened? Or perhaps was that the day he was dropped from the film? That's just my speculation of course.
But just look at how happy Robert seems at this moment. I'll never forget it.
