In a recent interview with The New York Times Magazine, Robert Downey Jr. confessed his worries about the potential impact on his acting skills after portraying Iron Man/Tony Stark for 11 years in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Downey Jr., who debuted as the iconic superhero in 2008's "Iron Man" and concluded his tenure in 2019's "Avengers: Endgame," expressed concerns about the atrophy of his acting muscles while embodying the same character for an extended period.
Acknowledging the potential risks, Downey Jr. shared that Christopher Nolan, who endorsed him for the role of Lewis Strauss in "Oppenheimer," encouraged diversifying his acting abilities. The actor felt the need to explore different facets of his craft and move away from his usual performance tendencies.
In response to questions about the impact of playing Iron Man for over a decade, Downey Jr. replied, "Yes. 100%," highlighting the awareness of the potential challenges that arise when portraying a character consistently over an extended period.
Starring in Nolan's atomic bomb epic, "Oppenheimer," offered Downey Jr. the opportunity to flex different acting muscles that he couldn't exercise within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Nolan, known for his practical filmmaking approach, challenged Downey Jr. to step outside his comfort zone and avoid relying on his familiar acting traits, such as being fast-talking and charming.
The shift from the green screens and VFX-heavy Marvel productions to the practical effects and realism of "Oppenheimer" was a welcome change for Downey Jr. He expressed his contentment with being part of a high-quality project that allowed him to reconnect with a purist approach to filmmaking.
Christopher Nolan, praising Downey Jr.'s versatility, aimed to showcase the actor's subtlety and brilliance in "Oppenheimer," challenging him to lose himself in a different character. The interview sheds light on Downey Jr.'s concerns, his collaboration with Nolan, and his journey from the dominating box office realm to a more purist and nuanced approach to filmmaking.
