Robert Downey Jr’s Darkest Roles Before Avengers: Doomsday

For years, Robert Downey Jr. has been celebrated for portraying the world’s saviour, but soon he’ll be stepping into the shoes of Doctor Doom, ready to test the Avengers in the much-talked-about Avengers: Doomsday. While he’s often cast as the hero, Downey has, on several occasions, convincingly embodied characters with far more questionable motives. Before he dons the infamous mask, let’s revisit five films where he’s played against type, starting with his award-winning turn in Oppenheimer.

Lewis Strauss in Oppenheimer

Downey’s performance as Lewis Strauss, the Atomic Energy Commission Chairman, was a highlight of Christopher Nolan’s Oscar-winning epic. Strauss emerges as the principal adversary in Oppenheimer’s 1950s storyline, orchestrating efforts to strip the physicist of his security clearance by alleging Communist ties. The film paints Strauss as a man driven by envy or perhaps spite, a role Downey inhabited with subtlety and depth.

Reflecting on the character, Downey remarked:

Then he [Nolan] asked me if I was at all familiar with the character… I had a previous fair understanding of Strauss. Then I challenged a little bit the Mozart-Salieri of it all. I said, ‘I’m not sure in some ways that Strauss isn’t a bit the hero here,’ which kind of raised an eyebrow on Chris. I half-jokingly challenged him on whether Admiral Strauss hadn’t done everything that any patriotic American would’ve done.

This nuanced approach helped Downey secure his first Oscar in 2024, offering a fresh perspective on a historical antagonist.

Wayne Gale in Natural Born Killers

In Oliver Stone’s controversial crime drama, Downey takes on the role of Wayne Gale, a ruthless journalist who exploits the notoriety of serial killers Mickey and Mallory Knox. Gale’s relentless pursuit of fame leads him to sensationalise their crimes, blurring the line between reporting and participation. His hunger for the spotlight ultimately proves his undoing, as he’s drawn into the violence he once merely observed.

Paul Avery in Zodiac

David Fincher’s Zodiac features Downey as Paul Avery, a journalist whose obsession with the infamous case gradually unravels his life. While not a villain in the traditional sense, Avery’s self-destructive tendencies and descent into paranoia make him a cautionary figure. Downey’s portrayal captures the toll that relentless pursuit of a story can take, both professionally and personally.

Dr. Kozak in The Shaggy Dog

In this comedic reimagining of a classic, Downey plays Dr. Kozak, a scientist with a rather dubious agenda. Kozak’s experiments with canine DNA in search of eternal youth cross ethical boundaries, positioning him as the film’s antagonist. Despite the light-hearted tone, Downey’s performance brings a genuine sense of menace to the role, making Kozak a memorable villain in an otherwise family-friendly story.

John Royce in U.S. Marshals

U.S. Marshals sees Downey as Special Agent John Royce, who initially appears to be an ally to Tommy Lee Jones’s Sam Gerard. However, Royce is soon revealed as the mole, responsible for framing the fugitive and committing murder within his own ranks. The twist adds a layer of intrigue, with Downey delivering a performance that’s both understated and chilling.

With these roles under his belt, audiences are left to wonder how Downey will approach the iconic Doctor Doom. Avengers: Doomsday is set for release on 18 December 2026.