For Your Consideration: Robert Downey Jr. In Iron Man
Dec 10, 2008 by Heath McKnightRobert Downey, Jr. deserves a Best Actor Oscar Nomination for his role as Tony Stark in Iron Man.
Now, before you tell me I’m crazy, I’m …
Robert Downey, Jr. deserves a Best Actor Oscar Nomination for his role as Tony Stark in Iron Man.
Now, before you tell me I’m crazy, I’m going to put out a good argument as to why he should, and then why he probably won’t. Plus, a few of my fellow Screen Rant writers chime in on why I may be wrong in an Oscar nod for RDJ.
First things first, as to why RDJ deserves to be nominated: Hollywood, and pretty much everyone else, loves a comeback kid. And RDJ is the king of making a major comeback. His acting career is nothing short of amazing, and he is one of the most versatile actors of his generation.
But he also had a troubled life, flirting with drugs and alcohol. However, Downey Jr. is a new man, and he’s been ready for his comeback for a couple of years now. The first step was landing a major role in Shane Black’s amazing Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. Though the movie didn’t do great at the box office, it cemented his (and co-star Val Kilmer’s) reputation as someone of whom we should take notice.
The second reason why RDJ deserves to be nominated is his starring role in Iron Man. That big breakthrough came in 2006 when, after working as hard as he could, RDJ landed the role of Tony Stark/Iron Man in the movie that would redefine his career.
But instead of giving a run-of-the-mill performance, he brought humanity and realism to the role of a vain, brilliant, and wealthy businessman who finds redemption in a cave in Afghanistan. The humor, joy, pain, sorrow – all of it – with help from the excellent direction by Jon Favreau, Robert Downey Jr. gives us a believable yet flawed character who truly grows by the end of the movie.
Third: RDJ, and Iron Man–a mega box office and critical success. Entertainment Weekly recently named him the entertainer of the year, thanks to Iron Man and Tropic Thunder, while Wizard Magazine (which primarily covers comic books) said that Iron Man wasn’t just the best film of the year, but the best comic book film of all time! I honestly thought The Dark Knight would achieve that coveted spot.
Lastly, Iron Man scored major critical kudos, sitting at an extremely comfy 93% rating at Rotten Tomatoes. The film made more money than the fourth Indy film, and was number two in the North American box office at $318 million +, much more than anyone predicted it could, including yours truly. It sits at over $580 million worldwide. Clearly, fans loved the film, the people behind it, and of course, RDJ’s performance.
Oh, and one of the most important critics, Roger Ebert (I’m a big fan, going back 18+ years), listed Iron Man as one of the top 20 best films of 2008, and hailed RDJ’s performance. (He also praised The Dark Knight, which I agree is the other great film of 2008.)
Bruce Simmons, one of my fellow writers here at Screen Rant, had this to say:
“‘Iron Man’ is more of an emotional culmination to screen of many many comic book fans, like myself or Vic Holtreman and the rest of the fandom that spit-drooled all over themselves when they saw this culmination of fantasy being given a life on the screen. Top notch fulfillment as far as I’m concerned.”
He continues:
“Unlike something like Batman, where it’s a man in a costume, the effects that went into bringing the armor alive in ‘Iron Man’ really did it for me. It wasn’t exactly as I imagined it, but it was perfect for what it was.”
Also, RDJ has flirted with Oscar before, receiving a nomination for his role in Sir Richard Attenborough’s Chaplin film in 1992. Though he didn’t win, the nomination proved he has acting chops. A great run on Ally McBeal earned him an Emmy nod and a Golden Globe win.
Even if RDj is nominated, the chances of his winning are, honestly, not so good. He’s a dark horse just to be nominated. Heck, many think RDJ should be nominated for his supporting role in Tropic Thunder, which I have to admit, I really need to see. (Yeah, I stink for not seeing it! I don’t watch a lot of movies lately, due to a very busy schedule.)
Now if RDJ isn’t nominated for Iron Man, I’m guessing the visual effects and sound will be nominated and may even win, though some felt the FX weren’t all that great. I disagree–the visual effects were some of the best I’ve seen in years! Will the film win, or will it be an upset, like when Transformers lost to The Golden Compass? I hope not!
So why wouldn’t RDJ get nominated for Iron Man? Well, probably the easiest answer is a simple one: It’s a comic book movie, and we all know those don’t fly so well in the Oscar categories, other than tech awards. Plus, a certain Bat may walk home with some noms and awards.
And The Dark Knight, by Christopher Nolan, deserves as many Oscar noms as possible, and if nothing else, Heath Ledger should win as one of the greatest villains in film history. Yes, I’m on that bandwagon, and yeah, I think he was absolutely wonderful. Aside from everything else, Heath’s eyes kept shifting and blinking, belying the insanity underneath the Joker’s green hair and white make-up.
Robert Keyes, another one of my fellow Screen Rant writers, echos what many feel about RDJ not getting nominated:
“I can’t see ‘Iron Man’ getting any Oscar Nods – It would be like the ‘X-Men’ films getting one. Not even the special effects were on par with other flicks. As for Downey himself, in my opinion, he certainly does not deserve even a nomination and in my mind doesn’t even come close to leading male roles in any other film this year. I love the guy, loved the movie, love Marvel, but that role isn’t even in my [2008] top 20 for acting performances or challenge.”
Nicely put, but I’m kind of sick of the dry, sometimes depressing art house movies and their performances. Indie films aren’t what they used to be, and neither are art films, in my opinion. I’ll have to explain that further in another article, but I feel the great indie directors of the 1990s and earl 2000s are making the best movies, comic book or otherwise, like Favreau and Nolan.
And if nothing else, these creators are helping to put legitimacy into the big blockbusters and comic book films, something I don’t think we’ve seen in years. I think the 1990s killed good blockbuster films, while giving us great indie films.
Finally, Screen Rant grand poobah Vic Holtreman had this to say about the idea:
“Well he certainly shouldn’t get an Oscar for ‘Iron Man.’ I could see some sort of nod for Tropic Thunder, but there’s no way he’ll win an actor Oscar for a role in a comedy film. In Iron Man he was fine, but certainly nowhere NEAR Oscar worthy IMHO.”
Anyway, I really hope Robert Downey Jr. is recognized for his performance in Iron Man by the Academy Award voters, even if it’s a nomination.
Around the web:
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Time magazine listed Iron Man as #8:
http://www.time.com/time/specials/2008/top10/article/0,30583,1855948_1863826_1863834,00.html
(What’s up with the battle damaged Iron Man pic? That scene was dropped from the film.) But no Dark Knight?! And why is Speed Racer on this list?!
heath
I saw that list yesturday, i was somewhat dissapointed that for whatever bizzare reason, Speedracer made it there, but not TDK. Speedracer was good artisticaly, but sucked in all other departments.TDK was artistic in its own way, and was brilliant in every other way. Some 14 year old kid must have picked that list.
@ greenknight333,
Some would argue that comedic acting takes more talent then dramatic.
I would agree that people like Robin Williams and Ben Stiller (to name a few) deserve much more professional recognition from the industry.
But I am definitely not on the bandwagon of Robert Downey Jr.’s performance in Tropic Thunder being a more noteworthy achievement than his marvelous manifestation of Tony Stark/Iron Man.
He elevated Iron Man NO doubt, but it was on his natural charisma. Great casting but not worthy of the golden statue!
chuck
I am PROUD to be one of the few people that held out hope that Robert Downey Jr would somehow grab the stick and pull out of the tailspin that his life was after a firey start in the brat pack.
I have enjoyed at least something of every performance I’ve seen from him, even the ones that WEREN’T eye-popping. he IS one of those young, old souls that provide us with the opportunity to see characters from stories of every kind come to life.
I loved Iron Man much more than the Dark Knight, I truely felt Batman was over-rated and much of it’s hype came from the untimely passing of Heath Ledger.
Both films should not receive nominations for best picture or any of the major awards, Christian Bale brought nothing to the role as Wayne and what is with his voice as Batman.
Downey was superb as Stark, and made the movie,but I doubt the Oscars will reward him for making his biggest and most successful comeback with a nomination for a comicbook film. He stole the spot light in Tropic Thunder and may get a nod for best supporting actor.
Do I wish Iron Man would be recognized for a Oscar nomination, yes, will it, not likely, IMO.
Heath, that list is retarded. Their number 1 is Wall-E… Come on… I saw Wall-E, it was nothing spectacular. In fact, I would go as far as to say that it was pretty crappy. On a technical standpoint it was great, but as far as the story, it was pretty blah. It had a few funny moments, but Finding Nemo had more funny moments in 15 minutes than Wall-E had in the entire film… I found it kind of boring…
Iron Man superior to the Dark Knight? I don’t think so… The first 2/3 was relatively entertaining but the film fell apart in the last act.
Funny, I’ve been saying the same thing about The Dark Knight. But that’s the magical thing about opinions. Everyone could have one and none of them are wrong. Weird huh?
I really enjoyed Iron Man but considering how snobby the movie has to be to even be considered for an award, RD jr. wont even be looked at most likely because it is a comic book movie. This one very good reason I refuse to watch the awards. I think ill skip out on this topic.
I think that RDJ was amazing as Iron Man/Tony Stark. He took an obnoxious character and made him likable in a selfish way and subtly turned him into a hero while still maintaining his self-absorbed personality.
And speaking of people who win Oscars for playing close to their personality: DeNiro; Nicholson; Pacino. Great actors but they didn’t win Oscars for stretching much in a performance. Why is it impossible to consider RDJ?
Ok, it’s what the man’s good at but he was just awesome. Maybe if he would have chewed the scenery or had a little blinking note under his pic that said “Oscar worthy performance” he’d be considered but it’s not going to happen.
He’s been a great actor in other movies, Chaplin for example and no Oscar there. And I LOVED him in Tropic Thunder and that was a much deserved Oscar nomination there but let’s face it, it had a lot of controversy surrounding his character being considered racist. Only black people can play white and that’s ok. It doesn’t seem to be ok the other way around. That seems to be the unwritten rule but damn he was good.
Face it, when RDJ is on screen, no matter who else is there, you’re paying attention to him. He’s the man!
@ Ken R
F.Y.I. I thought the deep-voice with over done as well. Later on I read an article about Nolan thinking it was a good idea to alter the frequency of his voice. Don’t know where I read it, maybe someone else can elaborate. But alas it was a post-production choice, not Bales fault.
The funny thing is, when black people played white people, they were actually openly racist about it. Mocking things they considered “white people” things and making them look like fools. While in this movie, he played a white actor playing a black person, but he was actually a decent character, that the other characters actually went to for advice. And they even had a “real” black person in the film as a reality check mocking the stereotypes that RDJ’s character seems to embrace. So I don’t see it as racist at all. While the film you’re probably talking about where black people were playing white people was definitely racist, but there was no controversy there…
I’m neither, but my race is openly mocked and insulted many times over and never with any sort of controversy. Oh well. I guess when these people talk all of this BS about minority rights, they don’t seem to care about my race, which is a much smaller minority than theirs, so technically we are “more minority” than they are, lol. That’s why I don’t care much for their agenda. I say we are all equal and should be treated based on our merit. None of this giving artificial advantages because you’re a minority BS. If you can’t make the grade, that’s too bad, work harder next time.
That Time magazine list is heavily flawed in my opinion, heh.
The obvious omission being The Dark Knight, among others
I feel the Jarvis computer system, deserves an Oscar,,, but hey that’s just cause I’m a robot head,,,
^
I’m betting (online) that RDJ will be nominated for his role in Tropic Thunder on some award show.
its gonna be a tight year against the TDK monster…
I’m Native .. not Indian …never been to India.. I could go on and on about racism because some of the things we (my brothers & sister) were called and beaten up for growing up were blatantly racist and we still hear it on ocassion but it doesn’t really bother my siblings and I anymore because we know that racism in all it’s forms is bred from ignorance and hatred of things not the same as you..We love who we are and our Father instilled in us the balls(sorry Vic)to be proud of who we are and where we come from and you know that being raised with those values we aren’t racist. We could hate “whitey”
but it’s not the path we wish to tread. Treat others as you want to be treated is the ONLY GOLDEN RULE that will help anyone to rise above it all.. God bless you Dad 
for keeping everything in perspective!!
@ Metallicat79
Glad to see you got my back Dude!!
Cheers
I am also in the ‘no’ camp here. I absolutely love RDJ and am glad he’s pulled himself out of the gutter.
You REALLY need to see Tropic Thunder. He DOES deserve a nod for that performance.
And no matter what you guys say about the FX in IM, Stan’s IM suit was fab.
RDJ and Tom Cruise nominated for Golden Globes’ Best Supporting Actor (Tropic Thunder, comedy) and Heath Ledger for The Dark Knight (drama):
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081211/ap_on_en_mo/golden_globes;_ylt=AjnhzeYrITJ4M62uUhjyxp52wPIE
heath
The list:
http://www.goldenglobes.org/nominations/001index.html
heath
Wait a sec, the list I linked to is from last year. Sheesh, Golden Globes, update already!
http://www.goldenglobes.org/news/id/104
heath
Cruise gets a nod for a glorified cameo..he must need some good press for Valkyrie because that needs some good press…He never quite recovered from the Oprah thing but he’s trying his best to make amends lately.. I used to like him
Forget about Cruise the person. He was great in Tropic Thunder. I was able to pretend it wasn’t him. Plus there’re so many nutty actors, I don’t have time to dislike them all. In the long run, it’s easier just to pretend they’re someone else.
Now if it was OJ Simpson I couldn’t suspend disbelief for a couple of reasons; 1) He can’t act, 2) He’s a bad, bad man and that would be all I thought about.
But Cruise and his aliens, anti-drugs, and Scientology doesn’t effect me. I think he fired his sister as his manager and he behaves much better now.
Now, if he was still acting like an ass it’d be hard to over look but he’s been quiet. I hope he stays that way.
I thought Christian Bale would be the supporting actor?? lol
@ Ken J
When I watched TDK I thought Bale was a supporting actor because of Ledger’s performance.. I am just fascinated with Ledger’s portrayal of the Joker..he stole evry scene and I hope he is rewarded..I have watched my DVD three times already and can’t wait to see it again..
theres a video of Stan lee saying that he created Iron man out of a dare, that he wanted to make a character everyone hated and that he would like to shove down their throats….
RDJ delivered the shoving for him!
Actually, Stan Lee created Stark/Iron Man to prove that readers could love even an SOB.
heath
Truthfully, Aaron Eckhart deserves a nom here! TDK was based around Harvey Dent. Think about the amazing performance he did in that movie, a whole switch for Harvey Dent. Joker & Batman stayed the same throughout, one would say they played the two sides of Two-Face. Think about it, but anyway, Eckhart is someone that deserves a nom here more than anyone!
It is similar to last year when Bardem got a nom for basically playing the Terminator and Brolin didn’t get anything!
@SK47–I never thought of it that way, but you’re right. Harvey had a real character arc, and Joker played the bad side, Batman, the good.
heath