Robert Downey Jr. Still "Inspires" Iron Man 3 Star 12 Years After MCU Trilogy Finale

Acting alongside the “genius” Robert Downey Jr. continues to inspire one of the stars of Iron Man 3, even 12 years on from the experience.

In an interview with Joe Deckelmeier for ScreenRant to discuss Soul on Fire, Stéphanie Szostak recalled what it meant for her to join the MCU for the third and final movie in the original Iron Man trilogy:

…I have to tell you, working on the film was huge, and something that I cherish. First of all, I played a villain. I learned how to fight, which was a lot of fun. But working with Robert Downey Jr. inspires me to this day, every time I step on a set. So, I am so grateful that I was a part of that and was able to work with the genius that he is.

Iron Man 3 cast Szostak as Ellen Brandt, a war veteran transformed into an assassin by Extremis, a revolutionary genetic treatment that imparts regenerative powers. Such an innovation naturally captures the attention of a super-villain, who uses it for evil ends.

The story sees Brandt attacking Tony Stark on the orders of The Mandarin, and quickly being dispatched by the armored Avenger. Szostak’s small but key part helped Iron Man 3 soar to a massive $1.21 billion worldwide box office haul, and a solid 79% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

12 years after taking on Tony Stark, Szostak stars in the new release Soul on Fire, a dramatic biopic about the real-life experiences of John O’Leary (Joel Courtney), a St. Louis native, who as a young boy suffered severe burns over his entire body, and went on to become an author and motivational speaker.

Szostak plays John O’Leary’s mother Susan, alongside John Corbett as his father Denny. The cast also includes William H. Macy, DeVon Franklin, and Masey McLain. The film was directed by Sean McNamara, whose previous movie Soul Surfer told the inspiring real-life story of shark attack victim Bethany Hamilton.

Critics have already warmed to Soul on Fire, pushing it to an 80% fresh score on Rotten Tomatoes, on a small sampling of 10 reviews as of this publication. The film’s 98% audience score on over 500 verified reviews indicates moviegoers are indeed getting inspired by its uplifting message about triumphing over adversity.

Susan O’Leary actor Szostak starred in only two movies in the wake of her life-changing Iron Man 3 experience – R.I.P.D. and Hit By Lightning – but secured an ongoing small-screen gig playing Delilah Dixon on A Million Little Things. Her role in Soul on Fire marks her first film appearance in 11 years.

In addition to starring alongside RDJ in Iron Man 3, Szostak also previously shared the screen with Meryl Streep in The Devil Wears Prada, Steve Carell in Dinner for Schmucks, and Matt Damon in We Bought a Zoo.

Soul on Fire is now playing in theaters.

Release Date

October 10, 2025

Director

Sean McNamara

Writers

Gregory Poirier, John O’Leary

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  Joel Courtney

  John O’Leary

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