Ever since Robert Downey Jr. debuted as Tony Stark/ Iron Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2008 in his standalone film Iron Man, it has left the MCU fans awestruck and laid the foundation for the superhero universe that we know and love. When the actor decided to exit the franchise after Avengers: Endgame in 2019, it was interpreted as retirement from his iconic role in the franchise. And the way he marked his exit cut off all possibilities of his return, as the actor thought it was time to hang up his Iron Man suit for good.
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Robert Downey Jr.
Even though Robert Downey Jr. has retired from his iconic role which people know and love around the world, it looks like the Tropic Thunder actor is now going to be remembered for another iconic role in Christopher Nolan’s upcoming historical epic biography set during the Second World War, which changed the course of the war.
Oppenheimer Becomes Robert Downey Jr.’s Next Important Project
Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer has become one of the most talked about films for the summer of 2023, and fans can not get enough of the film, for all the right reasons. The film is full of star-studded cast members which include Cillian Murphy, Robert Downey Jr., Matt Damon, Florence Pugh, and many more. This appears to be a perfect casting because the Dolittle actor will portray the role of Lewis Strauss, one of the major people who were at the top of the Atomic Energy Commission, and the inner circle of the notorious Manhattan Project.
Robert Downey Jr. as Lewis Strauss
Lewis Strauss was the Chairman of the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) from 1953 to 1958, and he was strongly supportive of the United States developing nuclear weapons to maintain military power. While J. Robert Oppenheimer was a physicist and the Director of the Manhattan Project, he developed the atomic bomb out of concern that the Nazis might build it first. However, after creating and testing his creation, Oppenheimer grew extremely worried that his creation would escalate the arms race and eventually lead to a global catastrophe.
Robert Downey Jr as Lewis Strauss
As a result of different perspectives, Lewis Strauss and J. Robert Oppenheimer would often clash, because Strauss believed that not creating the nuclear weapon would compromise United States’ position in the war. And thus, the chairman of AEC would plan Oppenheimer’s exit as the director of the Manhattan Project.
Robert Downey Jr.’s portrayal of Lewis Strauss will be similar to his role of Tony Stark in the first film, where he was a wealthy billionaire who was a carefree weapons manufacturer before being captured by terrorists. Fans have loved the playboy role of the actor who was absolutely selfish and cared only for his wellbeing, similar to the role of Lewis Strauss that he will play in Nolan’s Oppenheimer.
Robert Downey Jr. Shares the Reason To Retire as Iron Man
In Disney’s D23 magazine, Robert Downey Jr. explained that it was high time to retire from his role, and help the franchise to move forward with the story, and he will be present with Chris Evans when others will retire from their respective roles.
“We had to get off. We opted to, and knew it was part of the job to get off the bus while it rolled on to other destinations. There’s something very sobering about it. I’m glad he and I will be there to welcome others as they retire their jerseys.”
Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man
Even though Robert Downey Jr. become the face of the MCU franchise, the one who began it all, he had nothing but admiration for his Avengers co-stars.
“I really don’t need to look any farther than my co-stars. Mark Ruffalo is an activist, Chris Evans is a die hard American and proponent of true democracy. I don’t really have the gumption, the skill set, the drive, or the humility either of those guys do.”
In spite of the actor’s run at Marvel being over, his upcoming role as Lewis Strauss will be iconic and he might be the villain that fans cannot hate.
A voracious reader and a wordsmith at heart. Tushar is a student of Linguistics, who's always on the lookout for a good book or a captivating story. He has a passion for literature that runs deep and loves nothing more than getting lost in a novel for hours on end. When he isn't reading, you'll find him scribbling down his thoughts and musings, always eager to capture the beauty of language.
