“That was a really tough one”: Robert Downey Jr. Agrees With Ryan Gosling After Oscar Controversy
While Margot Robbie’s Barbie swept accolades at the 2024 Critics Choice Awards and Golden Globes, the absence of her name in Oscar nominations didn’t sit well with not only fans but also acclaimed actors like Ryan Gosling and Robert Downey Jr.
After Ryan Gosling expressed gratitude for being nominated for an Academy Award, he also added dissatisfaction with the Academy for ignoring Margot Robbie and Greta Gerwig in the major categories of Oscar nods. Even Robert Downey Jr. believes that the acclaimed actress isn’t getting enough credit for her contribution to last year’s summer blockbuster.
Robert Downey Jr. Praises Margot Robbie’s Work in Barbie
When Greta Gerwig‘s Barbie starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling in the leading roles came out last year, fans were quick to speculate about their potential Oscar nods and other prestigious recognition they deserve. Now that the Awards season has finally come, Barbie made sure to shine among other remarkable films. However, since the Academy has shared the nominations for actors, Robbie’s absence from the Best Actress category has saddened not only her co-star Gosling but Robert Downey Jr. as well.
The Blade Runner star mentioned while being thankful for his nomination that Margot Robbie and the director Greta Gerwig deserved Oscar nominations for Best Actress and Director respectively, but their names’ absence has left him startled by the Academy’s decision.
Following Golsing’s statement, Robert Downey Jr. also agreed with the actor by stating that, despite Robbie’s incredible contribution, she wasn’t getting enough recognition. During a conversation with his fellow SAG Awards nominees, the Oppenehiemr star said:
“Margot Robbie is not getting enough credit, in my opinion… “America [Ferrera] has this amazing speech. And by the way she nails it!… But it’s the cuts away to Robbie, so actively listening that I realize Greta is really on to something here.”
While praising both Margot Robbie and America Farrera, Downey Jr. also acknowledged the Babylon star’s active listening skills and her crucial part in Barbie. He added:
“But it’s Robbie who had to trust … and it’s hard when someone who has the fucking two-page passage and they go, ‘Ok now let’s jump in and get Bob,’ and you’re like, ‘I’ve been listening to this all day and now I have to make it work!'”
America Farrera who played Gloria in Barbie received her first Oscar nod for Best Supporting Actress, and while expressing her excitement for the nomination, she also shared being extremely “disappointed ” after learning that the Academy completely ignored Gerwig and Robbie in the major categories. The Bombshell actress is one of the year’s biggest Oscar snubs and was only recognized as the producer of Barbie.
Margot Robbie Breaks Silence On Her Oscar Snub
Now that some of the major stars have been open about their thoughts on the Academy ignoring Marot Robbie, the actress herself has broken the silence on it. Though Barbie has received a total of eight Oscar nominations, Robbie’s name was missing from the Best Actress category.
During a SAG-AFTRA discussion with co-stars, Margot Robbie expressed gratitude and didn’t mention being disappointed with the Oscar snub. According to Variety, she said:
“There’s no way to feel sad when you know you’re this blessed… “Obviously, I think Greta should be nominated as a director. What she pulled off, it really is. But it’s been an incredible year for all the films.”
The actress and producer mentioned that Barbie was made to “affect culture,” and when they succeeded in the mission, it was their “biggest reward.” Margot Robbie did acknowledge Greta Gerwig’s work and that she deserved to be nominated, but since the nominations are out, they did not affect her negatively.
Barbie is available on Prime Video.
