In the aftermath of his pivotal role in Avengers: Endgame, the highest-grossing film in history, one might have anticipated a continued upward trajectory for Robert Downey Jr.’s career. Nevertheless, the Oscar-winning actor’s professional undertakings have notably slowed. Having dedicated a decade to portraying the beloved superhero Tony Stark, Downey Jr. may have simply been yearning for a reprieve, a chance to swap his Iron Man gear for a different array of characters. However, it appears that his sabbatical is drawing to a close, with the actor set to appear in Christopher Nolan’s much-anticipated biopic, Oppenheimer. This hiatus, by no means an ordinary occurrence for an actor of Downey Jr.’s stature, is worth delving into to understand his journey and future plans.
From Difficult Beginnings to MCU Stardom
Although Downey Jr. today enjoys widespread acclaim as one of Hollywood’s most engaging and grounded actors, his early career was fraught with difficulties. His initial acting assignments included a stint on Saturday Night Live in the mid-1980s, during a particularly troubled period for the sketch comedy show. Despite his short-lived tenure spanning just 16 episodes, Downey Jr.’s early work included noteworthy films like Back To School and 1969. His portrayal of Charlie Chaplin in the 1992 film, Chaplin, even garnered him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor.
Yet, Downey Jr.’s promising career took a downturn following his Oscar nomination, marred by legal issues largely attributable to his struggle with drug addiction. The actor managed to continue working in the industry, albeit in less illustrious roles, such as those in U.S. Marshalls and Bowfinger.
Downey Jr.’s fortunes began to change in the mid-2000s when his career saw a dramatic revival, largely propelled by his standout performances in films like Kiss Kiss Bang Bang and Zodiac. His ultimate ascendance to superstardom, however, was catalyzed by his casting as Tony Stark in Iron Man, an iconic character that launched an extraordinary cinematic universe. Despite initial resistance from Marvel due to Downey Jr.’s past troubles, his casting was vigorously championed by director Jon Favreau. Marvel’s legendary Stan Lee even declared that Downey Jr. was “born to be Iron Man.”
Downey Jr.’s MCU Journey and Beyond
As Tony Stark, Downey Jr. truly shone, captivating Marvel fans from his first scene in 2008’s Iron Man. His portrayal of the ‘billionaire playboy philanthropist’ was as charismatic as it was captivating, successfully translating the character’s evolution from weapons designer to benevolent superhero to screen. This compelling narrative spanned three Iron Man sequels and 2012’s game-changing The Avengers.
Simultaneously, Downey Jr. also delivered compelling performances outside the MCU. Notably, he earned his second Academy Award nomination for his role in Tropic Thunder, and headlined another blockbuster franchise as Sherlock Holmes. His memorable parts in Chef and The Judge also deserve mention.
From Avengers: Age of Ultron onwards, however, Downey Jr. solely focused on Marvel productions for four years, starring in a series of high-profile films culminating in Avengers: Endgame, where Tony Stark makes the ultimate sacrifice to save the world, marking an emotional end to his character’s journey.
Current Undertakings and What Lies Ahead
In the wake of his MCU tenure, Downey Jr. has featured in a single film, the critically panned Dolittle. Despite its commercial failure, Downey Jr. views the challenging experience positively, hinting that it might have contributed to his decision for a three-year hiatus.
Since Dolittle’s 2020 release, Downey Jr., alongside his wife Susan Downey, has ventured into producing films and shows. Their body of work includes projects such as The Age of A.I., The Bond, and Sr., a documentary about Downey Jr.’s father, as well as the short-lived Perry Mason reboot and Netflix’s Sweet Tooth. Downey Jr. also produced and hosted his automobile docu-series, Downey’s Dream Cars.
His much-awaited return to the screen is now confirmed, with the actor slated to portray Lewis Strauss in Oppenheimer. Meanwhile, a third installment in the Sherlock Holmes franchise, in development for years, remains a priority for Downey Jr. In addition to exploring spin-offs and TV shows for Max, Downey Jr. is set to feature in the upcoming miniseries The Sympathizer, where he is expected to take on multiple roles.
Oppenheimer is set for a theatrical release on Friday, July 21st, 2023. Whether this marks a new phase in Downey Jr.’s already illustrious career remains to be seen, but his dedicated fans are undoubtedly eager to see what’s next for the iconic actor.
