Iron Man 3: Tony Stark Gets A Kid Sidekick

In the comic books, many early superheroes had kid sidekicks. The most famous of course being Robin the Boy Wonder, who was Batman's sidekick. Now, it looks like Iron Man will be getting his own kid sidekick in Iron Man 3. In a new interview with About.com, Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige talks about a new character named Harley that will be introduced in Iron Man 3. Harley will be a ten year-old kid, who is being played by kid actor Ty Simpkins. In Iron Man 3, Tony Stark finds himself in the middle of Tennessee, which is where he runs into Harley. According to Feige, "Here he is in the middle of Tennessee with his hat pulled low, and he's trying to do this investigation. And there's this very sweet and funny relationship that he begins with this little boy." However, don't expect Tony Stark to reign in his personality just for a kid. Tony Stark isn't the type to pat a kid on his head and talk to someone like a little kid. Feige said, "He is quite the smart-aleck with the little boy, oh yes. The boy is shocked at first, and then slowly begins to sort of give as good as he gets from Tony." According to Feige, Robert Downey Jr. really bonded with Ty Simpkins, which is why he wound up getting cast as Harley. Robert Downey Jr. even delivered the news personally to Ty Simpkins by calling to tell him that he had gotten the role. Apparently, the casting paid off, because Feige says that audiences in test screenings have ranked the relationship between Tony Stark and Harley as one of the most surprising and unique things about the movie. While all the details of Harley's role in Iron Man 3 haven't been revealed, we're guessing Harley helps Tony Stark after The Mandarin attacks his Malibu Mansion. Maybe, Harley helps Tony Stark hide out in Tennessee and work on new suits of armor to take on The Mandarin.  While there's been no indication that Harley suits up in his own mini-suit of armor, we did find the image above of Tyron Man on Ty Simpkins official facebook page. While it's obviously a photo-shopped picture, there is a Iron Lad in the comic books, so who knows what might be in store for future Iron Man movies if Harley's character proves popular.