Robert Downey Jr. Hails Timothée Chalamet as a Modern Icon

Timothée Chalamet’s recent triumph with Marty Supreme appears to have put any lingering doubts about his ability to draw crowds firmly to rest. If there were still questions about his standing as a performer, Robert Downey Jr.—a man not exactly unfamiliar with the limelight—has now weighed in, describing the Dune lead as one of the finest talents working today.

Reflecting on his own early days, Downey recounted a moment on the set of Only You, directed by Norman Jewison. He once asked Jewison if he considered him among the greats, to which the director replied,

“That remains to be seen.”

Downey, however, was keen to make his own position clear regarding Chalamet, stating,

“I go, ‘Norman, I think I am one of the greats. I want you to tell me if you agree with that.’ He looked at me like I was nuts. He said, ‘Well, Mr. Downey, that remains to be seen.’ And I want to say in front of God and everyone in this audience here with you that as of ‘Marty Supreme,’ it no longer remains to be seen. Let’s hear it for, Timothée Chalamet.”

Chalamet’s Meteoric Rise

Such recognition from Downey, who himself was nominated for an Oscar in his twenties, is no small thing. Chalamet’s career, meanwhile, seems to be following a similarly impressive trajectory. He’s managed to carve out a place for himself as a leading figure in contemporary cinema, and his choices have consistently kept him in the public eye.

Fresh off the success of Marty Supreme, Chalamet has once again demonstrated his knack for picking roles that resonate with audiences. In an era when the traditional film star seems to be a dying breed, he’s managed to buck the trend, becoming a reliable draw at the box office. Even with a relatively short career so far, he’s already being spoken of as one of the defining actors of his generation.

Accolades and Awards

Chalamet’s ability to select compelling projects has certainly worked in his favour. From his standout performance in Denis Villeneuve’s Dune to a string of successful original releases, he’s shown a remarkable range. While the Academy Award has so far eluded him, his recent Golden Globe win for Marty Supreme has only strengthened his position as a frontrunner for this year’s Oscar. His critical acclaim and commercial appeal make Downey’s praise seem less like flattery and more like a simple statement of fact.

It’s not just about the awards, though. Chalamet’s performances have consistently drawn both audiences and critics, and his reputation continues to grow with each new project. The industry seems to have found its next big thing, and Downey’s endorsement only adds to the sense that Chalamet’s star is still very much on the rise.

Box Office Showdown: Dune 3 vs. Doomsday

Looking ahead, the stage is set for a rather intriguing box office clash. With neither Dune 3 nor Doomsday budging from their scheduled release dates, Chalamet and Downey are poised to go head-to-head in what could be one of the year’s most talked-about cinematic face-offs.

While it’s likely that Doomsday, as the latest Avengers instalment, will dominate in terms of sheer ticket sales, there’s been some speculation about whether this pairing could spark a phenomenon akin to the Barbenheimer craze. However, the unique appeal that made Barbenheimer a cultural event—two wildly different films from distinct auteurs—may be missing here. Both Dune 3 and Doomsday are grand-scale sci-fi blockbusters, which could mean less novelty for audiences seeking something out of the ordinary.

That said, both films are expected to perform well in their own right. Doomsday is tipped to have a strong opening, while Dune: Part Three may benefit from positive word of mouth and a steadier run at the box office. Whether this rivalry will capture the public’s imagination in quite the same way remains to be seen, but there’s no doubt that both stars are at the top of their game.

Dune 3 and Avengers: Doomsday are both set for release on 18 December 2026.