RDJ Worried Playing Tony Stark For So Long Would Affect His Acting

Iron Man actor Robert Downey Jr. was concerned that playing the superhero for so many years would negatively impact his acting skills.

Robert Downey Jr. says he was worried that playing Tony Stark/Iron Man for over a decade would affect his ability to play other characters.

"You start to wonder if a muscle you have hasn't atrophied," Downey Jr. told The New York Times when asked about the risks of playing the same character for over a decade. When asked if he was concerned about the impact portraying Iron Man for 11 years had on his acting, Downey Jr. said, "Yes. 100%, and I knew there was a point where Christopher Nolan was endorsing, let's work those other muscles, but let's do it while rendering you devoid of your usual go-to things."

Downey Jr. portrays Lewis Strauss in Nolan's highly anticipated biographical thriller Oppenheimer. Strauss worked for the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission for two terms, serving as its chairman in his second. The movie allowed Downey Jr. to show off his acting skills differently than in the Marvel movies, which the Iron Man star described as "fast-talking, charming, unpredictable, blah, blah, blah."

Robert Downey Jr.'s Gratifying Transition with Nolan

Collaborating with Nolan also immersed Downey Jr. in a more practical approach to filmmaking. Unlike the extensive use of green screens and visual effects in Marvel productions, Nolan opted for practical effects while shooting Oppenheimer. The filmmaker even reconstructed the entire Manhattan Project village to ensure the film was not simply shot on a studio lot.

For Downey Jr., the experience was gratifying. "Coming from that other place, entering the box-office-weekend-dominating place, then going into this spot now where I'm happy that I'm in this quality product," he told the publication. "I'm happy that I regained my connection with a more purist approach to making movies."

Downey Jr. was recently spotted on the Captain America: Brave New World set. A security guard on set reported seeing a variety of supercars being driven around and was quick to share when a nearby employee asked him about it. "Robert Downey Jr. was there last night, and they were driving all sorts of supercars," the guard said.

Captain America: Brave New World is currently filming in Washington, DC. The movie stars Anthony Mackie as the titular hero as he takes on the Captain America mantle. It's unclear if Downey Jr. will reprise his role as Iron Man in the film, as the actor has avoided questions about his involvement in previous interviews.

Oppenheimer will hit theaters worldwide on July 21. Captain America: Brave New World will be released on July 26, 2024.