Marvel Studios and the character of Tony Stark/Iron Man transformed Robert Downey Jr. from a has-been into one of the biggest movie stars on the planet, so it's not surprising that he'll sing their praises outside the context of the movies he stars in. However, he recently took it a big step further, declaring 'Guardians of the Galaxy' to be the best Marvel movie yet. Yep, even the ones that he's not in.

Speaking with the Toronto Sun to promote 'The Judge' (which will premiere at this year's Toronto International Film Festival), Downey was, of course, sidetracked by superhero stuff. He only had the highest of praise for Marvel's most recent film, which is just about to become the highest grossing film of 2014 so far:

Galaxy in some ways is the best Marvel movie ever. And it’s odd for someone with — on occasion — an ego the size of mine to actually say that!

Downey is company man through and through, but his enthusiasm for these movies and their shared universe has always been infective. This is, after all, a man whose body is seemingly powered by geek love, absorbed through some kind of photosynthesis. He lives and breathes the Marvel universe at this point.

Of course, he does admit that 'Guardians of the Galaxy' couldn't have gotten made if not for the other films (i.e., the ones he's in) laying the groundwork:

We’re talking about how the Iron Mans and the Thors and the Captain Americas and the Avengers movies have afforded Marvel the opportunity to essentially take what was a third-tier, minor, kind of upstart bit of potential from one of their comic books series and say: ‘Look!’

Downey also takes the chance to touch on some of his upcoming potential projects, including 'Sherlock Holmes 3,' a '30s-set thriller in the style of Perry Mason, and a live action version of 'Pinnochio' where he'll play Gepetto. About that last one:

I must play Geppetto, I see him as Chico Marx meets Jake LaMotta.

Okay. That's kinda' weird.

Anyway, you can see Robert Downey Jr. in the upcoming 'The Judge,' but the rest of the world will see him in 'Avengers 2,' which arrives next summer.

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