Downey says he remained optimistic

NEW YORK, May 5 (UPI) -- Robert Downey Jr. said that even as he battled drug addiction several years ago he could see himself one day starring in a big Hollywood film like "Iron Man."

Asked if he could imagine himself playing a superhero seven or eight years ago, the "Iron Man" star told UPI before the film's release: "Sure. I could always picture myself in the best possible position. Also, sometimes, these things are like, you know, astronomy. Some things just don't line up until they line up."

Downey said the attention and success he is now enjoying is all the more satisfying, given everything he has been through.

"It's pretty sweet," he said. "I also know that on the other side of this, there's a big

Freudian inflation and I'm ahead of that curve and I'm not interested in being built up to the point where I'm buying into something, you know? I haven't changed that much. I just started acting in accordance with … it's just the right action."

"Iron Man," which co-stars Gwyneth Paltrow, Terrence Howard and Jeff Bridges, earned more than $100 million at the box office when it opened last weekend.