Iron Man Star Declares Dune Actor Among Cinema's Elite
A Hollywood heavyweight makes a bold statement about a rising star's talent, settling debates about box office appeal and acting prowess ahead of a major film showdown.
The success of Marty Supreme has put to rest any questions about Timothée Chalamet's drawing power at theaters. Robert Downey Jr., one of Hollywood's most bankable stars, recently declared the Dune actor among the industry's finest performers.
During a discussion about his work on Only You with director Norman Jewison, Downey shared a personal story. He had once asked Jewison about his own greatness as an actor. Jewison's response was measured: "That remains to be seen." When speaking about Chalamet, Downey offered a different verdict.
"I go, 'Norman, I think I am one of the greats. I want you to tell me if you agree with that.' He looked at me like I was nuts. He said, 'Well, Mr. Downey, that remains to be seen.' And I want to say in front of God and everyone in this audience here with you that as of 'Marty Supreme,' it no longer remains to be seen. Let's hear it for, Timothée Chalamet."
This praise carries weight coming from Downey, who earned an Oscar nomination in his late twenties for Chaplin. Chalamet's career path suggests he's positioning himself as the next major force in entertainment.
Why Downey's Assessment Holds Water
Fresh off Marty Supreme's performance, Chalamet has proven his ability to draw audiences during an era when traditional movie stardom has largely disappeared. Downey's comments weren't hyperbole. The young actor has established himself as a leading figure among his generation.
Chalamet's strength lies in his project selection. From Denis Villeneuve's Dune to consecutive holiday successes with original content, he consistently chooses compelling roles.
While an Academy Award has eluded him so far, his recent Golden Globe win for Marty Supreme positions him as the current Oscar frontrunner. His combination of commercial appeal and critical recognition explains why Downey views him as one of the business's elite talents.
Will Dunesday Match Barbenheimer's Cultural Impact?
Neither Dune 3 nor Doomsday appears ready to shift from their planned release dates. This sets up a box office battle between Downey and Chalamet, two of their respective films' biggest attractions.
Doomsday will likely claim the larger box office crown simply by being an Avengers movie. But Barbenheimer's success raises questions about whether their clash could create similar buzz.
Despite both being major releases, this pairing lacks the elements that made Barbenheimer a phenomenon. Oppenheimer and Barbie came from distinctive filmmakers with dedicated followings. Their tonal differences attracted overlapping but separate audiences, driving Barbenheimer's success.
While Dune 3 comes from a celebrated director, both it and Doomsday occupy similar territory as blockbuster sci-fi spectacles. They lack the contrast that made the previous pairing special. Pairing Dune 3 with something like Devil Wears Prada 2 might have created better conditions for a Barbenheimer-style event.
This doesn't doom either movie to failure. Doomsday should perform strongly in its opening period, while Dune: Part Three could benefit from stronger audience retention based on reception.
Both Dune 3 and Avengers: Doomsday arrive in theaters December 18, 2026.