Robert Downey Jr Reveals His Least Favourite Scenes to Film
Robert Downey Jr opens up about the types of scenes he finds most challenging on set, as he prepares for new roles in the Avengers series and beyond.
After years of being a fixture on screens everywhere, Robert Downey Jr has taken a step back from the limelight. The reason? He’s fully immersed in the world of the Avengers once again, this time taking on the divisive role of Dr Doom in the much-discussed Avengers: Doomsday. It’s not every day that an actor makes such a dramatic leap from one of the Marvel universe’s most celebrated heroes to a notorious villain. Few transformations in cinema can match it for sheer audacity. Downey Jr, ever the showman, has been stoking anticipation with cryptic posts on his Instagram, keeping fans guessing about what’s to come. With the Russo brothers at the helm of the fifth Avengers instalment, speculation is rife about how Victor Von Doom will be woven into the narrative alongside Iron Man. Unfortunately, audiences will have to wait over a year to see how it all unfolds, so expect a steady stream of tantalising updates from the star-studded cast in the meantime.
Downey Jr’s reputation for delivering memorable performances across a wide range of genres is well established. Since donning the Iron Man suit in 2008, he’s spent much of his career at the heart of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but his recent turn in Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer proved he’s still at the top of his game. His portrayal of Lewis Strauss, the influential naval officer and head of the US Atomic Energy Committee, earned him the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor in 2023. Many felt he nearly stole the show, if not for Cillian Murphy’s lead and Nolan’s striking direction.
Unlikely Dislikes on Set
Given his extensive experience, it’s rather surprising that there are still certain scenes Downey Jr would prefer to avoid. During a conversation with Jimmy Fallon, he confessed,
“My dirty little secret is I’m actually not all that good.”
When pressed for details, he elaborated,
“I hate opening doors. Opening doors, pretending you’re surprised to see somebody that has been standing on the other side of the door.”
It’s a refreshingly honest admission from someone so accomplished.
But his list of pet hates doesn’t end there. He also finds scenes involving simulated driving particularly irksome.
“I hate it,”
he admitted, referring to the awkwardness of miming driving actions while being directed to check mirrors and perform other tasks. It’s a reminder that even the most seasoned actors have their own quirks and discomforts on set.
Upcoming Projects and Returning Roles
Looking ahead, Downey Jr is set to reprise his role in the next Avengers chapter, Secret Wars, scheduled for release in 2027. Before that, he’ll return to 22b Baker Street for the long-awaited third Sherlock Holmes film. He’s also wrapped up work on All-Star Weekend, a basketball-themed film directed by Jamie Foxx, featuring a cast that includes Jeremy Piven, Eva Longoria, and Benicio del Toro.
Despite his reservations about certain scenes, Downey Jr continues to embrace a diverse array of roles, ensuring his place as one of the most versatile and compelling actors of his generation.