Robert Downey Jr. Changed Marvel Movies With ‘Iron Man’ — and Now He Could Do It Again

As a huge fan of Robert Downey Jr.’s acting career, I can’t help but be in awe of his remarkable journey and resilience in the face of adversity. His return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe as the villainous Dr. Doom is both surprising and exciting.

After leaving a successful franchise, it’s challenging for an actor to handle their career as effectively as Robert Downey Jr. Has done. Therefore, his unexpected announcement of rejoining the Marvel Cinematic Universe, where he will portray the villain Dr. Doom in upcoming “Avengers” sequels, takes us by surprise.

Downey’s portrayal of Iron Man initiated the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2008. The character Tony Stark’s demise in “Avengers: Endgame” (released in 2019) served as a significant conclusion. This movie marked the end of this specific narrative thread, where Downey’s witty defense contractor played a pivotal emotional role. (Even off-screen, Downey’s onscreen love interest Gwyneth Paltrow was puzzled by his announcement of returning, asking “Are you turning to the dark side now?”)

After bidding farewell to his latest project “Dolittle” in early 2020, Downey encountered a significant setback. The film, which aimed to kickstart a new franchise, received harsh criticism and poor box office performance instead. Looking back, Downey admitted that he was overly enthusiastic about the deal but not fully convinced by the execution. Consequently, his focus shifted, leading him to take on a supporting role in Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer,” earning an Oscar for his efforts, and executive-producing and appearing in the daring HBO adaptation “The Sympathizer.” Later this year, Downey will make his Broadway debut with a new play by Ayad Akhtar, known for his unconventional storytelling.

As a film enthusiast looking back at Downey’s remarkable career, I can’t help but marvel at how he transformed from an actor on the brink to a box office powerhouse. During his Marvel era, Downey became more than just Iron Man – his fame was such that even his lesser-known films, like “Due Date” and “Sherlock Holmes,” were successful hits. It’s easy to forget now, but “Iron Man” wasn’t only the beginning of a blockbuster franchise; it marked Downey’s triumphant return from the depths of his career and personal struggles. In the mid-2010s, he was a proven blue-chip movie star – but when “Iron Man” came out, he was still the risky choice.

A return to Marvel can be seen a few ways. One is a homecoming of sorts: Downey’s potential return has been a subject of speculation since he departed the MCU in 2019. And in an Actors on Actors conversation with Jodie Foster this spring, Downey said that the character of Tony Stark is “just crazily in my DNA. Probably the most like-me character I’ve ever played, even though he’s way cooler than I am.” Notably, Downey is not playing Stark (although the connections between the two characters, in a franchise increasingly characterized by multiverse variants, can be parsed by those eager to dive into lore). But one can understand the appeal of returning to a place that feels comfortable and nostalgic, the place one got to be oneself, but cooler.

As a film enthusiast, I can’t help but acknowledge the significance of Robert Downey Jr.’s return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. With the planned “Avengers” sequels originally centered around Jonathan Majors’ Kang character, “Avengers: Doomsday” was initially announced as “Avengers: The Kang Dynasty.” However, after Marvel and Majors parted ways last year due to his conviction for misdemeanor assault and harassment of an ex-girlfriend, the studio found themselves in a predicament.

Perhaps, like Downey himself, I see that he seized more than just monetary gains from the Marvel films. When Tony Stark first appeared on screen, we were introduced to a character that echoed Downey’s established persona: quick-witted and charming, with a seemingly carefree approach to morality, but beneath it all, a deep sense of soulfulness. This was the Downey we knew from movies like “Less Than Zero,” “Home for the Holidays,” and “Ally McBeal.” It was the kind of work he had been doing during his comeback trail, as seen in “Zodiac,” released only a year before “Iron Man” catapulted him to new heights.

After the “Dolittle” film, Downey has taken on two projects featuring distinct roles for him. In “Oppenheimer,” his usual calm demeanor and wit are directed towards malice and resentment. On the other hand, in “The Sympathizer,” he adopts various approaches ranging from subtle insinuation to aggressive dominance while portraying four different characters. These diverse Downeys symbolize the white American power structure that the Vietnamese protagonist (Hoa Xuande) encounters throughout the show.

In other possible scenarios, Downey’s upcoming role in “Doomsday” could represent an opportunity for him to explore new dimensions beyond his iconic Tony Stark character in major productions. A return to familiar grounds might appear as a step back, an escape from tackling more complex roles that he had previously signaled an interest in. Alternatively, it may inject fresh vitality into the long-running franchise. Having rejuvenated his own career not once but twice – first in 2008 with Marvel’s success and later in the 2020s with self-directed projects – Downey might still have some hidden talents to share.

2024-07-29 19:48

Robert Downey Jr. Changed Marvel Movies With ‘Iron Man’ — and Now He Could Do It Again

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