Robert Downey Jr. was to the Marvel Cinematic Universe what Christopher Nolan is to filmmaking. Thus, when it was announced that the two legends will be collaborating on an insane project, the entertainment world was rightfully taken by storm. Christopher Nolan and Robert Downy Jr. working in the same film? Now that’s cinema.
However, there was a possibility that there could be some underlying issues between the two since Robert Downey Jr. is Team Marvel and Christopher Nolan is, obviously, Team DC. But rest assured, the two artists didn’t let this silly little thing come between them and their friendship. Both the actor and the filmmaker had an absolute blast working on Oppenheimer, no pun intended!
Robert Downey Jr. Talks about the Marvel/DC Divide
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During a red carpet event for Oppenheimer, Robert Downey Jr. talked to On Demand Entertainment about what it was like working with Christopher Nolan, the man who’s responsible for one of the best superhero franchises of all time, The Dark Knight trilogy.
Downey replied,
“Can you imagine if Chris Nolan called you and said he wants you to be in his movie? You kind of go numb and then you’re just nodding your head. But I’ve seen him around throughout the years. For a minute, he was on the other team. He was a DC guy and I was a Marvel guy. But then if you just watch the history…I mean, come on. He’s quintessentially British, but he is a global phenomenon…he’s an iconic guy.”
When the interviewer asked if the Marvel/DC divide was ever brought up, even playfully, between him and Nolan, RDJ replied,
“Most definitely, playfully. But I’m so happy that he called me because sometimes these dumb little things can translate into feeling a bit separate. And I always wanted to be on Team Nolan. So I’m psyched.”
Well, it was a far fetch since the very beginning that there would be animosity between the two just because of their respective superhero universes. They are professionals, after all!
Robert Downey Jr. Saw a Different Christopher Nolan
Before he got the chance to be a part of Oppenheimer, Downey looked at Nolan in a different light than he does now. Talking to Vanity Fair, the actor stated that there are two different Nolans – one who is an “Oz-like figure” and one who is just a “singular fella.”
“There’s two Nolans. There’s the Nolan before you’ve worked for him, where’s kind of this very distant Oz-like figure. He’s just held, as we all know, in this very particular esteem because of his acumen and his mastery of this medium. And then there’s what happens as you approach and get into the system that he uses. It’s so hard to explain, but he’s a very, very singular fella…there’s just an energy and an intensity to what he does.”
It looks like the saying, ‘Never meet your heroes’ does not apply to Nolan whose meeting with Downey ended up changing his view of the filmmaker for the better. We are sincerely hoping we see more of Downey-Nolan collaborations in the future.
Oppenheimer is currently playing in theatres.
Source: On Demand Entertainment
