Robert Downey Jr. is an incredible artist and actor. Not only is there an authentic profoundness in his work but also a sense of familiarity that always makes the viewers feel as if they are actually experiencing it. Now known as synonymous with roles like Iron Man and Sherlock Holmes, Downey is one of a kind.
And it is not as if he grew over the years in terms of his acting ability, but more like he has been the best since he came into the profession. Downey’s breakthrough role was in the 1992 movie Chaplin, which received lukewarm results but would have been better if perhaps the director would have accepted the young prodigy’s suggestions.
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Robert Downey Jr. Failed To Save His $12M Movie From Director
Robert Downey Jr. was raised by writers and actors, literally. Hence, having the ability and the experience to see what something could be and the acknowledgment of the fact that there is always room for improvement, Downey has keen eyes. Not only does he improvise (remember ‘I love you 3000‘), but he often also helps in adjusting scripts that may even result in total plot changes.
Robert Downey Jr.’s breakthrough role came with the 1992 release Chaplin, a movie that only made $12 million but won Downey an Oscar nomination and a Best Actor in Leading Role award at British Academy Film Awards. While he did receive critical acclamation, Downey was unable to save the movie from the movie’s director, Richard Attenborough.
“I said, ‘Dicky … This script is a joke. No offense, but it’s an episodic. I mean, you’re not really getting a sense — don’t you know that before he started shooting ‘The Kid,’ his wife had miscarried and he saw, and that was why he went and cast Jackie Coogan?’ and [Attenborough] was like, ‘So?’ and I was like, “Well, that’s deep. That’s really good, evocative. That’s what people wanna see.’ He goes. ‘No, no, we’re not shooting that.'”
Perhaps, had Attenborough been paid heed to Downey’s suggestions, the movie would have fared better. But since he would have rather cast Tom Cruise for playing Charlie Chaplin, it is no surprise he didn’t listen to the Marvel star.
Tom Cruise Was The First Choice Instead Of Robert Downey Jr.
Robert Downey Jr. earned widespread praise when he portrayed the legendary silent film actor and filmmaker, Charlie Chaplin. It was a role that made Hollywood realize the gem of an actor he is and was a significant turning point in Downey’s life.
However, despite the praise Downey received worldwide, Richard Attenborough would have rather cast Tom Cruise. In an interview with David Letterman, the Sherlock Holmes star revealed how it went during the audition for his breakthrough role.
“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 [Charlie Chaplin]?'”
Thankfully, after much deliberations and roadblocks, Robert Downey Jr. was finally Chaplin and crushed it.
Chaplin can be streamed on Paramount Plus.
Source: Netflix- My Next Guest Needs No Introduction With David Letterman
