The Iron Man actors has plenty to smile about these days, it would seem. After the success of his Marvel superhero movies, where fans witnessed star making turn as Tony Stark in the Iron Man and Avengers franchise, Robert Downey Jr. is now starring in a drama called The Judge, that just might earn him an Academy Awards nod.

The movie, which opened the 39th Toronto Film Festival in Canada is a return to serious drama work by the actor. This new Robert Downey movie The Judge, co-stars acclaimed actors Robert Duvall (The Godfather), and Vera Farmiga (Up In The Air). It is very telling that it was the movie chosen to officially jumpstart the Film Festival, which will be screening some 300 films over the course of the next 11 days.

This new Robert Downey Jr. movie The Judge, is directed by David Dobkin (Wedding Crashers, Shanghai Knights). It follows the story of Hank Palmer (Downey Jr) who is undergoing a rough divorce, and has to go back to his hometown in Indiana because of his mothers's death. But the real drama will begin to stem from the father-son relationship between Downey Jr. and Duvall, when the latter is accused of murder.

During the movie's gala premiere at Toronto's Roy Thomson theater, the Iron Man actor got up on stage to shower praises on Duvall who plays his on screen father. He was also quick to quip, "A movie is only as good as the title character - unfortunately, I am not the judge," Downey Jr. said. He went on to explain what the movie is all about. "This movie is about judgment, about family, about reconciliation and salvation.But it's really about a dad. And the dad has to be a mountain that [my character] has to find a way to climb," he added.

Aside from this new Robert Downey Jr. movie The Judge, becoming a possible Oscar contender, the actor has plenty to be happy about at home, as he and his wife, Susan, are expecting a baby girl this November. Congratulations to the happy couple and we will stay tuned for more baby news and possible Oscar awards nominations announcements.