Robert Downey Jr Slams Indie Films and Their Creators

Robert Downey Jr, once the poster boy for Marvel’s blockbuster empire, has never shied away from his role in the rise of superhero franchises. When he first signed up for Iron Man, no one could have guessed just how much the series would shake up the industry. He’s never tried to distance himself from the fallout, either. Even after the Marvel universe started to lose steam, he was happy to jump back in, taking on the role of Dr Doom in the next couple of films.

What’s easy to forget is that Downey’s roots are firmly planted in the world of independent film. He grew up on his dad’s sets, surrounded by low-budget, offbeat productions made by a crew of free-spirited creatives. Those early days were a far cry from the glitz and cash of Hollywood blockbusters. After breaking into the mainstream in his twenties, Downey weathered a rough patch with prison and rehab, only to stage a comeback that most would call a classic redemption story. Since then, he’s been a fixture at the top of the celebrity ladder.

Downey’s Take on Indie Productions

Given his background, you might expect Downey to have a soft spot for films made for the love of the craft. But that’s not the case. In a 2015 chat (via Esquire), he admitted that while big-budget flicks can sometimes be a letdown, it’s the smaller productions that really grind him down.

“Little movies can be the most punishing,”

he said, pointing out that these shoots often run late and expect actors to work on their days off, including birthdays and public holidays. He also mentioned being asked to chip in for snacks on set, only to end up at Sundance,

“selling [the film] for six days in a row so that we’ll make 180 bucks when it opens in one theatre.”

He didn’t hold back on his opinion of indie filmmakers either, calling them

“inexperienced and lame”

and suggesting they’re just wannabe artists.

Industry Realities and Downey’s Perspective

It’s a pretty harsh view of a scene where most are in it for the passion, not the pay. In 2024, Brady Corbet, who directed the much-talked-about The Brutalist, shared that he made

“zero dollars”

from what’s considered one of the best American films of the century. He’s not alone—many respected indie directors struggle to cover the basics, like rent. So when Downey, who can pocket $20 million just for showing up, complains about pitching in for lunch, it’s hard to muster much sympathy.

And when he gripes about working on holidays, it’s worth remembering the rest of the crew are also putting in the hard yards, but for a fraction of his pay. If his comments about indie film weren’t enough, there’s also a story from David Fincher, who directed him in Zodiac. Apparently, Downey was so fed up with the long hours that he started leaving jars of urine around the set as a protest. Not exactly a great look, especially for the crew who had to deal with it.

Big Paydays and ‘Sacrifices’

For those who reckon Downey’s only in it for the cash, he did take a pay cut for Oppenheimer. But let’s keep things in perspective—he still walked away with $4 million and an Oscar, instead of his usual $20 million. If that’s what counts as a sacrifice in Hollywood, most punters would be keen to give it a go.