The onset of the Marvel Cinematic Universe has been a hot-button issue among Hollywood luminaries. While directors such as Martin Scorsese, Quinten Tarantino, and Francis Ford Coppola have often derided the Marvel films and the affect that they had on the movie industry, other Hollywood veterans including Samuel L. Jackson, Natalie Portman, and Nic Cage have defended the films.
While Marvel films may be divisive, there is no controversy surrounding the artistic value of Christopher Nolan’s films. The Dark Knight director is wowing critics and audiences alike with his current film Oppenheimer.
Photo: THR
Challenging Robert Downey Jr.
Interestingly, the film stars Marvel stalwart Roberty Downey Jr. as Lewis Strauss, chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission in perhaps his most important post-MCU role.
When casting Downey, Nolan challenged the actor to put down his movie star charisma and play a more grounded character. Nolan was amazed by the performance.
Photo: Universal Studios
“And to watch him just sort of go back to that geniuses as an actor. Just finding the truth in another human being and presenting it, and the things he does in the film, I think a lot of his fan base is going to be extremely surprised. It’s really cool to see somebody who’s achieved such greatness as a movie star, that pivot completely and stretch themselves in a way that a lot of people haven’t seen him do.”
“One of the Greatest Casting Decisions”
While Nolan may have wanted Downey to play a different kind of character for Oppenheimer, he had nothing but praise for the actor’s role in the MCU.
Photo: Marvel
“When [Jon] Favreau had the insight to cast him as Iron Man, I mean that’s … one of the greatest casting decisions in the history of movies. And you look at what that did and where that went with everything. I think that was Jon just knowing what an incredible actor, what incredible potential it was from Downey. And then the movie star charisma, that wonderful charisma comes into play,” he said.
Source: polygon.com
It is nice to hear a director of Nolan’s character praising the MCU, and especially recognizing Downey Jr.’s importance.
Could Downey Jr. Return to the MCU?
As for Tony Stark himself, while Iron Man sacrificed himself at the conclusion of Avengers: Endgame, Downey Jr.’s MCU journey may not be over yet.
Source: digitalspy.com
With Avengers: Secret Wars on the horizon, rumors continue to persist that Downey Jr. could return. While nothing has been confirmed, I know Marvel fans would love to see Tony Stark again on the big screen.
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