Robert Downey Jr. knows how some industry professionals feel about comic book franchise movies, but the “Iron Man” actor says that doesn't rule out his work as an actor.
Downey just won a Golden Globe for his performance in Christopher Nolan's blockbuster “Oppenheimer,” but the famous actor says his other films were some of the best work he's ever done.
In the most recent episode of “Literally!” by Rob Lowe. On the podcast, Downey talked about the ups and downs of working in the film industry, including how his 2020 film “Dolittle” didn't have the success he hoped it would.
“I felt very exposed after being in the Marvel cocoon, where I think I did some of the best work I've ever done, but it kind of flew under the radar because of the genre,” Downey told Lowe.
Downey revitalized his career by playing Tony Stark in the films “Iron Man” and “Avenger” from 2008 to 2019. “I felt like, in a way, I did myself a favor because the rug was definitely pulled out from under me, and everything was done.” “Things that I relied on, as opposed to my understanding of trust and security, evaporated and that made me docile,” he said.
“And the crazy thing is, they say when the student is ready, Nolan will come (I mean, the teacher will come) and that's what happened.”
In recent years, comic book movies have received considerable criticism from directors and actors alike, and even audiences seem to be feeling a bit of franchise fatigue. In September, acclaimed “Killers of the Flower Moon” filmmaker Martin Scorsese doubled down on his 2019 comments criticizing the Marvel Cinematic Universe films as theme parks rather than movies.
“The danger is what it's doing to our culture,” he told GQ. “Because now there will be generations that will think… that's what movies are.”
Scorsese said it's up to filmmakers to save cinema. “It's almost like the AI made a movie,” he added. “And that doesn't mean you don't have amazing directors and special effects people making beautiful works of art. But what does it mean? What do these films contribute? What will they give you?
And in October, “American Horror Story” star Jessica Lange similarly criticized the genre. The Oscar winner told the Telegraph that she wanted to leave acting because the industry focuses more on profit than artistic quality. “I'm not interested in these big comic book franchise movies. “I think they have sacrificed this art that we have been involved in… for the sake of profit.”
Lange, 74, told the outlet that he plans to retire in the near future.
“Creativity is now secondary to corporate profits,” he said. “The emphasis is not on the art, the artist or the narrative. It's about satisfying your shareholders. “It diminishes the artist and the art of filmmaking.”
