Robert Downey Jr. is a well-known name in the entertainment industry. The superstar garnered significant attention through his portrayal of Iron Man in the blockbuster Marvel franchise. RDJ’s Iron Man (2008) kickstarted the multibillion Marvel franchise which eventually went ahead and dominated not only the superhero genre but the entire world of filmmaking. However, in a surprising revelation, the Chaplin star shared that his superhero character, Iron Man, is just a tier 2 superhero.
Robert Downey Jr. Believes Iron Man Is A Second Tier Superhero
In an interview, Robert Downey Jr. shared his feelings for the Marvel movies which heavily impacted the world of filmmaking as he addressed the question of the ongoing battle for the soul of cinema and the MCU’s impact on it. The Tropic Thunder star stated that there are much better representations of cinema than the MCU movies. He even added that he never pondered on the fact that his tier 2 superhero role would build a blockbuster cinematic universe out of it.
“If you’re talking about, adjusted for inflation, the biggest movies of all time, ‘Gone With the Wind’ and ‘The Ten Commandments’ are there. I’m sure that in the years those movies came out, there were probably films that you and I would agree were a better representation of what cinema can be. I did not have the luxury of wondering what the longer-term repercussions of coming in as a second-tier superhero for something that was going to build out into a cinematic universe would be — and it didn’t matter, because I had a Super Bowl ring on each finger while this debate was being contested with much heat.”
Robert Downey Jr. On The Purist Approach Of Filmmaking
The Avengers star shared that his comments shed light on his upbringing in a family that questioned the artistic value of summer blockbusters. This unique background, combined with his own experiences, shaped his perspective on the soul of cinema. As he immersed himself in the MCU, Downey Jr. found a renewed connection to a more purist approach to storytelling, seeking genuine quality and substance in his work.
“The other side of it is that I was raised in a family that rebelled against the idea of a summer blockbuster having any merit and thought that the films that were preferred viewing that year weren’t any good, either. So coming from that other place, entering the box-office-weekend-dominating place, then going into this spot now where I’m happy that I’m in this quality product — I’m happy that I regained my connection with a more purist approach to making movies.”
Robert Downey Jr.’s introspective response reflects his deep understanding of this ongoing debate about the soul of cinema. But it appears like MCU fans would feel a bit disheartened after hearing that their favorite superhero was ranked as tier 2 by Robert Downey Jr. Hunting for a more purist approach, the superstar will soon appear in the much-awaited Christopher Nolan’s biographical thriller film, Oppenheimer, which will be released on July 21, 2023.
Source: New York Times
Also Watch:
