Of all the characters he has embodied to date, the one from the Marvel Cinematic Universe or simply the one Robert Downey Jr. is best known for is quite literally the very character his name is used synonymously with. And yet, it is also the very character that he has seemingly trashed recently. For the record, yes, we are indeed talking about Tony Stark, aka Iron Man.
At the recently held British Academy of Film and Television Arts awards or simply BAFTAs, Robert Downey Jr. was one of the few honored with the accolade for his outstanding performance in a supporting role in Oppenheimer. But while fans were happy about his win, RDJ ruined it all by criticizing his fan-favorite MCU character in his acceptance speech for “dwindling” his “credibility.”
Robert Downey Jr. Trashed Iron Man After Winning His Life’s Second BAFTA
Robert Downey Jr. has been nominated for the BAFTA awards thrice — once for Best Actor in a Leading Role and twice for Best Actor in a Supporting Role; and out of those three nods, one was for his most recent star-studded performance as Lewis Strauss in Oppenheimer.
However, while fans were celebrating this second BAFTA win of his, the renowned Iron Man star went ahead to trash his beloved character in the MCU, Tony Stark aka Iron Man instead, hinting that the character dwindled his “credibility.”
While accepting the accolade at the recently held 77th British Academy Film Awards 2024, he said in his acceptance speech (via BAFTA):
“I played a guy named Tony in the MCU for about 12 years. And then recently THAT DUDE [pointing at Christopher Nolan] Chris Nolan suggested I attempt an understated approach as a last-ditch effort to perhaps resurrect my dwindling credibility.”
While it is indeed heartbreaking to see Downey Jr. criticize the very character that defined him for more than a decade (12 years, to be more precise) because he is a fictional superhero. But this isn’t the first time the actor let his feelings known about the same.
Previously, while attending this year’s recently held Santa Barbara International Film Festival 2024, he said (via @THR | X):
“It was so great to be associated with someone like that for a while…and then it wore off.”
Even though it is obvious that Robert Downey Jr. only said that as a sarcastic approach to his equally sarcastic character, this doesn’t make it any less upsetting for one too many reasons, including how this pretty much indicates that he just might never reprise his iconic role.
Upset Fans Argue Iron Man Never Dwindled Robert Downey Jr.’s Credibility
If considering the hate and disapproval of late surrounding the superhero genre by many of the industry’s critics and filmmakers, Robert Downey Jr.’s statement on his “dwindling credibility” because of Iron Man, is rather understandable.
However, upset fans aren’t willing to let one of their favorite actors of all time continue to believe in the same, and are thus arguing that Tony Stark aka Iron Man has never, and will never, dwindle the legendary actor’s credibility.
Here’s what they’re saying (via X):
Damn he’s never coming back to the MCU
— Josh Sweat Truther (@EaglesBurna) February 18, 2024
trust me rdj you credibility was never dwindling
— poppy 🦋 (@imnotpopbase) February 18, 2024
This is objectively meaner than anything Scorsese has said https://t.co/MRX3SNsvob
— Comrade Asuka (@Yeenie_Mcbeenie) February 18, 2024
RDJ is incredible and deserves so much more credit for his performances as Tony Stark.
I can count handfuls of scenes that he flawlessly executed! 🫶
— 🖇🅽🆃🅷🖤🅽🆈 (@MasterOfAnthony) February 18, 2024
Dwindling credibility?? RDJ you are and always will be incredible
— CinemaBums (@Cinema_Bums) February 18, 2024
He was good in Oppenheimer and you forgot he was Tony Stark… almost #Movies #Entertainment #FilmTwuuijjtter #Cinephile #BoxOffice #MovieNight #FilmLover #Cinema #Hollywood #NowWatching pic.twitter.com/xSZUp1n7KO
— DibbleDunk (@DibbleDunk) February 18, 2024
DWINDLING?!
Bro, I did not follow this man's career as an actor during Iron Man and beyond just to find out people were thinking his credibility was dwindling.
RDJ is still a goat.— Ri§en (@RisenLN_2) February 18, 2024
Well, for one thing, even though Robert Downey Jr. did, indeed, “trash” his beloved character Tony Stark, he still did it in the most sarcastic and iconically Stark-y way, so we guess even Tony Stark wouldn’t be offended by it!
