“I played a guy named Tony”: Robert Downey Jr. Pays Homage to Iron Man as He Wins BAFTA For Best Supporting Actor
Oppenheimer has been lucky for both Christopher Nolan and Robert Downey Jr. this award season. The official Iron Man of Hollywood played the character of a reputed member of the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission, Lewis Strauss. The talented actor was critically praised for his performance in Christopher Nolan’s biographical saga.
Robert Downey Jr. paid homage to Iron Man during the acceptance speech after winning a BAFTA for Best Supporting Actor for Oppenheimer.
Robert Downey Jr. Pays Tribute To Iron Man After Winning a BAFTA For Oppenheimer
This award season, Robert Downey Jr. has taken the front row seat, leaving behind talented actors in the race. After winning the Golden Globes and Critics Choice Awards, the 56-year-old actor has now also secured a BAFTA for his terrific performance in Oppenheimer. Downey Jr. paid tribute to Iron Man, one of the most significant characters of his acting career. During his BAFTA acceptance speech, the actor reflected on his career and said-
“When I was 15, I wanted to be Peter O’Toole. When I was 25, I worked for Richard Attenbourgh and Anthony Hopkins. When I was 35, I finally understood why Dickie thought Tony would be a better role model for me than Peter. When I was 42, I did two films for Guy Ritchie and learned how to make big Hollywood movies with a civil British flare. I then played a guy named Tony in the MCU for about 12 years.”
He further added-
“And then recently, that dude Chris Nolan suggested I attempt an understated approach as a last-ditch effort to perhaps resurrect my dwindling credibility. So I share this with my fellow nominees, this has been an exceptional year.”
Downey Jr. left behind critically acclaimed actors like Robert De Niro for Killers of the Flower Moon, Ryan Gosling for Barbie, Dominic Sessa for The Holdovers, and Paul Mescal for All of Us Strangers. He had previously won a BAFTA in the best actor category for Chaplin in 1992.
Read Also: Robert Downey Jr’s New Coffee Business and the Iron Man Fans Should Not Miss it at Any Cost
RDJ Feels the Massive Success Of Oppenheimer Has Been Difficult For Introvert Christopher Nolan
During the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, Robert Downey Jr. was present to honor Christopher Nolan with the Sundance Institute Trailblazer Award. While talking to the famous media outlet Entertainment Weekly, Downey Jr. joked that the success of Oppenheimer has been difficult for an introvert like Christopher Nolan. He said-
“Confidentially, he needs his spirits lifted. He’s a bit blue because a terrible tragedy has befallen him. I don’t mean to bring this up, and I know it’s very personal: He has become recognizable on the street. He recoils as though from a hot flame from this new and most unwelcome reality.”
According to the Inception filmmaker, RDJ had been on his wishlist for a long time. During an interview with Los Angeles Times, Nolan mentioned that the Marvel actor is one of the greatest actors of this generation. He said-
“He’s one of our great actors, and though a generation of kids know what a great movie star he is, they’ve not seen his subtlety and brilliance. I wanted to get him to do something completely different, to lose himself in another human being. When was the last time we’ve seen that? ‘Chaplin’? Directors are very aware of how talented Downey is, but because of his incredible energy that can punch through the screen, finding the right thing for him is difficult.”
After leading at the Golden Globes, Critics Choice, and BAFTA, Oppenheimer is on its way to create a record at the Academy Awards with the highest number of nominations.
Oppenheimer can be streamed on Prime Video on rent.
