During the UK premiere's red carpet event of Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer, Robert Downey Jr. confidently declares that it is the best film he has ever been involved in.
"This film is undoubtedly the finest I have had the privilege to be a part of, and I am eagerly anticipating the moment when you all get to revel in its magnificence."
Following the Oppenheimer premiere in the UK, the entire cast made a unified decision to depart the red carpet event in support of the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike, which seeks equitable compensation for actors. However, despite the absence of Downey and the rest of the ensemble, the screening proceeded as planned, with Nolan clarifying the reasons behind their absence on stage.
Why Oppenheimer Is Critical For RDJ’s Post-MCU Career
During his ten-year tenure in the MCU, Downey's focus remained largely on portraying Iron Man, with only a few exceptions such as the Sherlock Holmes films and a cameo appearance in Favreau's Chef. While this allowed for a strong personal narrative for Stark within the MCU, it also typecast Downey in that role. Nolan, on the other hand, aimed to challenge this typecasting with Oppenheimer.
Since Downey's departure from the MCU over four years ago, he has ventured into a few other projects outside of the Marvel universe. However, Oppenheimer holds particular significance in his post-MCU career, as it will determine if he can establish himself apart from the iconic Iron Man character. Downey's undeniable talent notwithstanding, the actor himself has expressed concerns about his acting abilities being hindered by repeatedly playing the same role in the MCU.
Downey has a range of impressive projects apart from the MCU. Prior to his role as Iron Man, he received critical acclaim and an Academy Award nomination for his performance in Richard Attenborough's Chaplin in 1992. He also earned another nomination for his work in Ben Stiller's Tropic Thunder. However, it appears that Robert Downey Jr. genuinely relished his experience working alongside Christopher Nolan and the rest of the Oppenheimer cast.