Robert Downey Jr. was the ideal pick to play Tony Stark in Iron Man. Not only did the actor do a phenomenal job portraying the comic book character, but his own personal history and demons mirror the character enough to add some poignancy as well. Could you even imagine another actor playing Stark? Sam Rockwell, for instance?

The actor, talking about his new role in Iron Man 2, told MTV Splash Page that he had talked with Jon Favreau at one point about playing Tony Stark. “We had a phone conversation about it, and then I didn’t hear anything and that was it.” Not to be rude towards Rockwell, who I really enjoy, but I don’t think any phone calls were followed up on after Downey was a possibility. He’s just too damn perfect.

Rockwell will get a shot at revenge for the lost role when he faces off against Tony Stark in Iron Man 2. The actor confirms he will be playing Justin Hammer, a rival of Tony Stark who may be the figure calling the shots in the sequel. Hammer himself isn’t a super-hero or villain of any sort, but he’s the financier behind some of Stark’s biggest baddies, having gained control over Iron Man’s armor suit at one point, stealing the technology and selling it to a list of villains that includes Crimson Dynamo, the rumored big bad for the sequel.

The sequel certainly seems to be coming together. Rockwell is locked in for Hammer, Mickey Rourke in talks to play another villain, and Emily Blunt may be coming on board as well. Let’s just hope Iron Man 2 doesn’t get so stuffed that it winds up being detrimental to the story.