LOS ANGELES (UPDATED: October 2, 2006) — Robert Downey Jr. is about to suit up for what could be his first big-studio, big-budget action movie.

Downey will play the title character in “Iron Man,” based on the Marvel comic, in a film directed by Jon Favreau. Filming is scheduled to begin in February, with the movie due in theaters in May 2008.

It will be the first feature film produced independently by Marvel Entertainment.

“(Downey’s) versatility sets him apart and makes him an ideal fit to play such a complex character as Iron Man,” said Kevin Feige, president of production for Marvel Studios.

“Iron Man” is the story of billionaire industrialist and inventor Tony Stark, who is kidnapped and forced to build a devastating weapon. Instead, he builds a high-tech suit of armor and escapes, vowing to protect the world as a superhero.

Variety said in the “Iron Man” comics, Stark was an alcoholic. Substance abuse is something Robert Downey Jr. knows well. The head of Marvel said that issue won’t be dealt with in the first movie but it could be dealt with later if there are sequels.

Downey most recently starred in Richard Linklater’s adaptation of Philip K. Dick’s “A Scanner Darkly,” and can be seen in “A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints,” currently in theaters.

“Iron Man” will be distributed by Paramount Pictures.