Robert Downey Jr. is already an old hand as an actor, having appeared in the fantasy animal comedy “Pound” as a five-year-old pimp. However, he was cast by his father, Rober Downey Sr., who directed. Since then, many roles have been added; Over the past two decades, Downey Jr. has been one of the most recognizable faces in Hollywood, thanks in part to his presence in the Marvel Universe.
In a new interview with the New York Times for the premiere of “Oppenheimer” (where the mime plays Lewis Strauss, the chairman of the US Atomic Energy Commission who would later go on to mercilessly prosecute the “father of the atomic bomb” for communist involvement), he now told which films he would choose when it comes to naming the most important of his career.
Spoilers: “Iron Man” is not included. But Downey Jr. isn’t about quality at all, it’s more about the fact that he found his way (back) into the spotlight in the first place.
Robert Downey Jr. has long been something of a genre film guru
That’s why he chose the Disney outfit Shaggy Dog from 2006, in which the actor can be seen opposite Tim Allen. And why this supposedly unimportant film, in which he only plays second fiddle? “Because that was the movie that made Disney reinsure me.” Downey Jr. had a checkered drug history, was considered unpredictable on set, had to give up numerous roles and also got into trouble with the law. This was the turning point.
The other film that Downey Jr. holds dear isn’t Zodiac (one of David Fincher’s most underrated masterpieces) but The Fantastic Journey of Dr. Dolittle” from 2020. More of a life lesson, as the actor put it, because it’s kind of a “two-and-a-half hour wound.” After the last number with Tony Stark (“Avengers: Endgame”), a new franchise was wanted, but he already had doubts during the filming.
“I had some reservations,” says Downey Jr. “Me and my team seemed a little too excited about the deal and not quite as excited about the merits of execution. But by that point, I was practically booked for roles like that. I was the guru for all genre films.”
It came as it had to come, “Doolittle” flopped and Downey Jr. devoted himself to new tasks. This now also includes “Oppenheimer”, which the actor says he chose because he knew he was in safe hands with director Christopher Nolan.