Robert Downey Jr is no up-and-coming actor. After his contribution to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, he has established himself as one of the most talented and loved actors in Hollywood. Although the world sees him as Iron Man, he has done various other roles. His upcoming performance just so happens to be one of the most anticipated movies of the year, Oppenheimer.
He has done various roles but none as prominent as that of Tony Stark. Although that is his biggest role as of now, it may not be for long. His range in movies is just as extraordinary as his talent and Downey Jr. is not someone who will be hesitant towards showing his fun-loving side. Despite all of that, he is respected for all of his roles. However, the actor does not want to be defined by one.
Robert Downey Jr. Wants To Be Seen Outside Of Tony Stark
There are many actors who get defined by the roles they play or the franchises they are a part of. Robert Downey Jr does not want to be one of them. He has done some of the biggest movies and his most iconic role just so happens to be a central figure in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
“I’m not a character in The Fantasticks. I’m not Will from Oklahoma. Aesthetic distance. It’s job one. I’m not my work. I’m not what I did with that studio. I’m not that period of time that I spent playing this character. And it sucks because the kid in all of us wants to be like, ‘No! It’s always gonna be summer camp and we’re all holding hands and singing kumbaya. Isn’t it?’ It’s like, ‘no! Snap out of it.’”
He is focused on how it is very important not letting your role define you. There is a difference between the character and the actor, something he understands very much so. He is sure that the reason he wants to be remembered is not for his roles but for his talent as an actor.
Playing Iron Man Took A Toll On Robert Downey Jr.
When you play a character for as long as Robert Downey Jr has, it would definitely be a matter of concern as to how people would differentiate between the character and the actor. Downey chose to step away from the role so that he could explore outside of his career in the MCU.
“I had an incredible ten-year run that was creatively satisfying. It was very, very, very hard work and I dug very deep, but I have not been forced to explore the new frontier of what is my creative and personal life after this.”
He gave the role his everything and dedicated himself fully to it. Even though it is not his role that he wants to be defined by, it cannot be argued that the impact the MCU and Iron Man had on his career is unimaginably drastic.
Oppenheimer will hit theaters on the 21st of July.
Source: People
