Robert Downey Jr.’s portrayal of Lewis Strauss in Christopher Nolan’s magnum opus has earned the former considerable international acclaim. The endeavor’s success has ushered in an era where the actor’s capabilities have exceeded his Iron Man legacy. However, it would be incorrect to imply that this is the first time we’ve witnessed a nuanced, multi-dimensional performance from the Hollywood star.
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Richard Attenborough’s Chaplin is one such notable undertaking where Downey Jr.’s talent has stood out, despite the project itself falling short of expectations. What is interesting about the 1992 biographical comedy-drama is that the Oppenheimer alum may not have been the director’s first choice to depict the legendary figure.
This led to RDJ experiencing a sense of humiliation when Attenborough openly articulated his preference for another well-known talent, Tom Cruise, to take on the role.
Chaplin (1992) Led To Robert Downey Jr.’s Prestigious Oscar Nomination
Richard Attenborough’s Chaplin polarized audiences. On one hand, the film’s screenplay was criticized by most, deeming it incapable of capturing the awe-inspiring essence of Charlie Chaplin’s life. Like many biographical film projects, the 1992 movie suffered from a formulaic approach, leading to its inability to resonate with viewers.
Conversely, what left a lasting impression on the audience was Robert Downey Jr.‘s unforgettable performance. Many reviewers of the endeavor have asserted that it was the actor’s embodiment of the title role that became the movie’s saving grace. This comparison between Attenborough’s vision and Downey Jr.’s acting proficiency is best evidenced by Chaplin‘s rating on Rotten Tomatoes, which sits at 60% with the Critics’ Consensus stating the following:
“Chaplin boasts a terrific performance from Robert Downey, Jr. in the title role, but it isn’t enough to overcome a formulaic biopic that pales in comparison to its subject’s classic films.”
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Chaplin‘s failure at the box office, with it grossing $12 million in the UK and the US combined against a budget of $31 million, demonstrated that even RDJ’s abilities couldn’t rescue it from its downfall. Luckily for the actor, though, his excellent performance earned him his first Oscar nomination, and that too, in the highly esteemed Best Actor category. Even though he was unable to win, this nomination served as evidence of his great abilities.
Richard Attenborough Wanted Tom Cruise For Chaplin (1992)
Appearing on David Letterman’s Netflix series My Next Guest Needs No Introduction, Robert Downey Jr. disclosed a humiliating interaction he had with late filmmaker Richard Attenborough during his Chaplin audition.
According to the Sherlock Holmes star, the director had initially expressed his desire of wanting to see Mission: Impossible actor Tom Cruise in the leading role of the endeavor. Recalling the instance, RDJ stated the following:
“The first time I met Dicky, he held up a picture of Tom Cruise to me and said, ‘Now isn’t that remarkable resemblance? Wouldn’t it be amazing if Tom Cruise [played him]? … Was I called in for a humility session? I don’t know what was going on then. I s*** you not, he held a picture of Tom Cruise and said, ‘That’s why he should play Chaplin.’ I was like, ‘Probably, but he passed, so now what?’”
Chat show host David Letterman asserted that such an experience could’ve been intimidating for Robert Downey Jr. On the matter, the TV legend further commented:
“I think actors like other artists are insecure to begin with and you’ve got Richard Attenborough saying, ‘It’s too damn bad we couldn’t get Tommy.’”
Robert Downey Jr.’s status as the leading actor in the biopic faced further challenges beyond this instance. Attenborough’s attempt to proceed with RDJ in the main role was met with the resistance of studio executives, who wanted names like Robin Williams or Billy Crystal for the biopic.
Despite such obstacles, it was the Tropic Thunder star who emerged victorious. The movie may have failed to perform well at the box office or connect with its viewers. However, the one redeeming feature of Chaplin will continue to be Robert Downey Jr.’s intricate, multifaceted, and outstanding performance.
With Oppenheimer standing as a recent testament to his talent, we’re eagerly anticipating what other remarkable endeavors RDJ has in store for us.
Chaplin (1992) is available for streaming on Paramount+.
Source: Independent
