“I don’t approve this $30 million you are trying to spend”: Iron Man Star Robert Downey Jr Reveals Marvel Actors Have No Control Over Movie Scripts
We have all been captivated by the stories Marvel Comics presented us with. Further, when we were introduced to the cinematic universe of the comics, fans nearly lost their minds. With the first MCU film in 2008, Iron Man began Phase One which later culminated in The Avengers in 2012. Although chronologically speaking the MCU timeline starts with Captain America: The First Avenger, MCU fans seem to have little to no regard for the timeline.
From devastating death scenes of their favorite MCU characters to hilarious punchlines delivered by the superheroes, fans are now invested in knowing whether the Marvel actors have any control over the iconic moments in the scripts. Despite being aware of the fact that movie directors have the final say, fans are willing to know about creative flexibility from the actor’s end.
Robert Downey Jr on the ever-changing MCU scripts
It has been brought to the notice of the fans that the work on MCU scripts is never finished, for they are changing constantly until the final release. This constant change no doubt gives a lot of scope to the actors to initiate character development or make a slight change in the scripts. However, rules are rules, and thus the MCU actors have come to terms with the fact that they won’t have a say in character choices and development.
In an interview with Joe Rogan in 2020, Robert Downey Jr, very modestly stated “I think the phrase…the legal phrase for actors in studios is ‘meaningful consultation’ not script approval”. On being asked whether the directors sit down with the actors to discuss character development, Robert added “anybody could hold the studio hostage cause ‘I don’t approve this $30 million that you are trying to spend right now’ so your schedule is f**ked.” The all-time favorite character breaking the myth of the fans is pretty brutal.
MCU actor rumored to get replaced over creative differences
MCU strictly follows the rules of not letting the actors interfere in the scripts and therefore the actors ought to agree to this term before joining the studio. Few of the big stars who are used to getting their way around the studio might have a difficult time. It was rumored that Edward Norton, who played the role of Bruce Banner in The Incredible Hulk in 2008 was replaced by the directors over creative differences.
Robert Downey Jr shared a personal experience with Joe Rogan “you just start trusting more, their thinking on your behalf, and also little things are easy to change, big things become an inconvenience to the higher good.” So, no matter how disappointed or relieved the fans might feel about this, MCU follows a strict rule of maintaining a tight end on the scripts, and the actors are not allowed to make any changes.
Source: YouTube
