Robert Downey Jr. has delivered several noteworthy movies over the course of his incredibly long career. He has been making excellent Marvel Studios blockbusters recently, but in the years prior to that, he was a well-known actor with credits in films like Chaplin, Less Than Zero, and Zodiac. However, to think that any of these works would rank as some of his favorites would be incorrect.
After achieving a 2008 double victory—starring in the financially successful Iron Man and receiving an Oscar nomination for the blockbuster comedy Tropic Thunder—Downey Jr. became a household name.
However, the actor once defended the film he believes to be his best work while appearing on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast. No, it is not Iron Man.
Robert Downey Jr.’s ‘Best Film’ Pick Might Surprise You
Iron Man, brilliantly portrayed by none other than Robert Downey Jr., is one of the most adored superheroes from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Many people might not be aware, though, that Downey Jr.’s appeal and charisma were not the only factors in his selection for the Tony Stark role. At least, the actor firmly holds this opinion.
Here is a direct quote from Downey Jr.’s interview on the Joe Rogen Experience about Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, a movie written and directed by Shane Black:
“‘Kiss Kiss Bang Bang,’ which is, I think, in some ways the best film I’ve ever done. It wound up being a calling card. It came out, and it bombed, but Jon Favreau saw it, and he said, ‘This guy could do an action movie.’ And so that wound up being my calling card into the Marvel Universe.”
Notably, Shane Black’s 2005 American neo-noir black comedy crime film was bombed at the box office after finishing its global run with a pitiful $15 million. However, as Downey Jr. believed, this certainly elevated him to the status of one of the most well-known actors working today.
How Was Robert Downey Jr. Made Aware Of This Film?
The movie was first introduced to Robert Downey Jr. by his then-girlfriend who is now his wife. The actor, 58, first learned about Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang from his wife, Susan Downey, who also works as a producer in the movie industry.
In an interview with Rolling Stone, Downey Jr. recalled the incident in which he questioned his wife about her laughter while she was reading a script. And her answer intrigued him to know more about the film:
“The then-not-yet-Mrs. Downey [producer Susan Levin] was reading the script in our collective bedchamber, laughing her a** off. I say, ‘What is so damn funny?’ She says, ‘Oh, it’s just this thing we’re going to offer Johnny Knoxville, a really funny Shane Black script.’ Later Joel Silver said, ‘The good news about you is that you’re still cheap.’”
Even though Kiss Kiss Bang Bang did not do particularly well at the box office, it did demonstrate Downey Jr.’s undeniable talent and put him in the spotlight.
In addition, he will collaborate with Kiss Kiss Bang Bang and Iron Man 3 director Shane Black once again on the upcoming film Play Dirty. Additionally, it was revealed in March 2023 that Robert Pattinson and Downey Jr. would star together in Adam McKay’s political comedy Average Height, Average Build.
You can rent Kiss Kiss Bang Bang on Apple TV.
Source- Joe Rogen Experience; Rolling Stone
