Follow us on Google News

Get the latest updates directly in your Google News feed

Robert Downey Jr. has proven time and again that his range as an actor is nothing short of extraordinary. Whether it is with roles that he is most known for or those that sometimes slip by without proper recognition, he gives his best no matter what. Latest in the lot was his role as Lewis Strauss in Christopher Nolan’sOppenheimer,a role that also got his first and much-deserved Oscar.

Robert Downey Jr. in a still from Oppenheimer

The role got him the light he needed for fans to see his talent outside of playing Tony Stark. In the midst of this, there was shade thrown at the Marvel Cinematic Universe while acknowledging it at the same time. There was a lot he saw that the role would affect his future as an actor, including but not limited to his reputation.

“I actually trained at a Shaolin temple for months”: Robert Downey Jr.’s Co-star Wants to be the Next Killmonger of MCU in Shang-Chi 2

So much so that he thought playing Lewis Strauss would free him of all the things he had been confined by ever since he started growing in the Hollywood industry.

Robert Downey Jr. Found Freedom in Oppenheimer

Speaking withEsquire,Robert Downey Jr.revealed what he truly felt about adorning the character of Lewis Strauss inOppenheimer.He is used to being tied by franchises or a series of films that ask the same thing out of him again and again.Christopher Nolan’sfilm was unlike any other.

“I knew that playing Strauss, in Oppenheimer, was going to be like picking fly shit out of pepper.”

“I actually trained at a Shaolin temple for months”: Robert Downey Jr.’s Co-star Wants to be the Next Killmonger of MCU in Shang-Chi 2

The actor added a rather bizarre comparison, explaining that playing Straww brought him a sense of liberation. It was most definitely going to affect his reputation as an actor and whether or not that would be a good thing completely relied on the critics and audiences.

Deadpool & Wolverine CinemaCon Footage Reveals an Avenger Cameo – It’s Not Robert Downey Jr.

He gave his best for the role and got a rather positive outcome out of it as well. Downey saw himself stepping out of his comfort zone and he was all for it.

Freedom in Limitations

Robert Downey Jr. was met with both a sense of freedom and limitations he could not go over. A role as taxing as inOppenheimerrequired a lot out of the actor that he was not used to. For someone who is always seen as a charismatic and energetic actor, Strauss required of him something even the audiences had yet to experience.

“That it was going to be extremely exacting, that it was going to be not confining, but liberating by its varied implicit limitations of what my usual toolbox is.”

Robert Downey Jr.

The shadow of what he is used to playing is not a bad one. In fact, it gives him a sense of freedom in what he does as an actor. However, for Christopher Nolan’s film, the story was completely different. He had to find pieces of himself that were yet to be put on display.

“It wasn’t one bad season”: Game of Thrones Fans Claim Season 8 Was Just a ‘Part of the Problem’ That Made HBO’s Biggest Show Irrelevant

The role did not give him the freedom to pick and choose whatever he wanted to do. That was far from an obstacle for Downey, rather, it was a challenge.

Adya Godboley

Anime Content Manager

Articles Published :1879

Adya Godboley is the Anime Content Lead at FandomWire with over 1800 published articles. She is a Rotten Tomatoes-certified critic with a background in literature. From The Case Study of Vanitas to Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint, her anime knowledge is one she’s gathered with years of experience. She also enjoys Marvel, DC and Superhero media with her works having been recognized by prominent figures such as Dwayne Johnson, Abby Trott and the Blood of Zeus creators.

More from Adya Godboley

EXCLUSIVE: Stephen Trumble Dives Into the Inspiration Behind Batman: Broken Promise

To Be Hero X Episode 18 Review: Little Johnny’s Trust Comes with the Price to Pay

To Be Hero X Episode 17 Review: Little Johnny’s Arc Is a Little Too Tainted By Spoilers

Helen Mirren Agrees With Ana de Armas for Next James Bond With Feminist Take

Keeper Trailer: Tatiana Maslany Tries to Survive in Longlegs Director’s Next Horror Flick

Hollow Knight: Silksong Release Set for 2025, Demo Playable at Gamescom

Fact Check: Has Activision Announced Call of Duty: Black Ops Remastered?

The Batman 2 May Get Its Worst Update That Will Affect Its Shot at The Oscar

Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Beats MCU’s Lowest-Grossing Film as Story & Animation Outshine Star Power

Christopher NolanRobert Downey Jr.

Deadpool & Wolverine CinemaCon Footage Reveals an Avenger Cameo – It’s Not Robert Downey Jr.

oppenheimer