Robert Downey Jr Spills on the Scenes He Dreads Most
Robert Downey Jr opens up about the types of scenes he finds most awkward to film, sharing candid thoughts as he gears up for his next big roles in the Avengers universe and beyond.
After years of being front and centre in Hollywood, Robert Downey Jr has been keeping a lower profile lately. The reason? He’s flat out working on the next Avengers instalment, this time stepping into the shoes of Dr Doom for Avengers: Doomsday. It’s a massive shift, going from one of the MCU’s top heroes to a notorious villain. Not many actors have pulled off such a dramatic switch, and Downey Jr is making the most of the buzz, dropping hints and teasers on his socials. With the Russo brothers at the helm for the fifth Avengers film, fans are left guessing how Victor Von Doom will fit in with Iron Man. There’s still a long wait ahead, so expect a steady stream of teasers from the star-studded cast over the next year.
Despite the hype, Downey Jr is set to make his mark once again. He’s built a reputation for standout performances across all sorts of genres. While the Marvel films have taken up a fair chunk of his time since 2008, many reckon he’s never been better. His turn as Lewis Strauss in Oppenheimer, which earned him an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, nearly stole the show. If it weren’t for Cillian Murphy and Christopher Nolan’s visuals, he might have been the main talking point.
Unlikely Acting Gripes
Given his long and varied career, it’s a bit of a surprise that there are still certain scenes Downey Jr isn’t keen on. Chatting with Jimmy Fallon, he admitted,
“My dirty little secret is I’m actually not all that good.”
When pressed, he explained,
“I hate opening doors. Opening doors, pretending you’re surprised to see somebody that has been standing on the other side of the door.”
It’s the sort of everyday acting moment that most punters wouldn’t give a second thought, but for Downey Jr, it’s a real sticking point.
He didn’t stop there. There’s another type of scene that really gets under his skin: pretending to drive. He finds it awkward having to act out driving while being told to check mirrors and follow directions.
“I hate it,”
he added, not mincing words.
What’s Next for Downey Jr
Looking ahead, there’s plenty on the cards for Downey Jr. After Avengers: Doomsday, he’s set to return for Secret Wars, the next big chapter in the franchise, due out in 2027. Before that, he’ll be back as Sherlock Holmes in the much-anticipated third film of the series. He’s also wrapped up work on All-Star Weekend, a basketball flick directed by Jamie Foxx, featuring a cast that includes Jeremy Piven, Eva Longoria, and Benicio del Toro.
With so many projects lined up, it’s clear Downey Jr isn’t slowing down any time soon. Even if he’s not a fan of opening doors or fake driving, he’s still one of the most versatile blokes in the business.