Robert Downey Jr. Reveals the Scenes He Finds Impossible to Act
After decades in Hollywood and an Oscar win, you'd think Robert Downey Jr. could do it all. But the acclaimed performer recently opened up about his on-set struggles, revealing the surprisingly simple moments that make him feel like he's not a great performer. Find out what they are.
It might seem like Robert Downey Jr. has been laying low after being a constant presence on our screens for years, but there's a good reason. He's currently immersed in the world of the Avengers, taking on the much-discussed and somewhat controversial part of Dr. Doom in Avengers: Doomsday. It's hard to think of a more dramatic character shift in cinema history—going from a beloved Marvel hero to one of its most iconic villains. Downey Jr. is clearly enjoying the speculation, fueling the fire with teasers on his Instagram. How directors, the Russo brothers, plan to connect Victor Von Doom with Iron Man remains a mystery, and with more than a year until the movie's release, fans will have to endure months of tantalizing hints from the star-studded cast.
A Legacy of Acclaim
Whatever the outcome, you can bet Downey Jr. will deliver a memorable performance in his latest superhero outing. He has a long history of incredible work across nearly every film genre. While the Marvel Cinematic Universe has dominated his schedule since the first Iron Man in 2008, his talent is arguably at an all-time high. Anyone who saw him in Christopher Nolan’s 2023 masterpiece Oppenheimer can confirm this. He took home the Oscar for ‘Best Supporting Actor’ for his portrayal of Lewis Strauss, the influential naval officer and head of the U.S. Atomic Energy Committee, and nearly walked away with the entire movie. If not for Cillian Murphy’s lead role and Nolan’s breathtaking visuals, he might have been it's standout element.
Surprising On-Screen Challenges
Considering Downey Jr.’s extensive range, from his ‘80s Brat Pack comedies to Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes and David Fincher’s brilliant 2007 thriller Zodiac, it’s a bit of a shock to learn there are still specific on-screen actions he dislikes performing. He shared his frustrations with talk show host Jimmy Fallon, starting with a candid admission about his own abilities: “My dirty little secret is I’m actually not all that good.” When asked to elaborate, 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.”
Downey Jr.’s grievances didn’t stop with doorways. There’s another common movie moment that gets on his nerves: faking driving a car while being given directions for every little action, like checking the mirrors. “I hate it,” he stated plainly.
A Packed Future Schedule
Beyond next year’s Avengers: Doomsday, fans can also look forward to the franchise’s second epic installment, Secret Wars, which is set for a 2027 release and will also feature RDJ. Before then, however, he’s expected to return to 221B Baker St. for the long-awaited third Sherlock Holmes installment. He has also wrapped up work on a basketball film directed by Jamie Foxx titled All-Star Weekend, which boasts a cast including Jeremy Piven, Eva Longoria and Benicio del Toro.