The Chicago Sun-Times recently spoke with the Iron Man star and managed to pry some details about the sequel to the hit film out of him; Movie Hole also asked Downey about Iron Man 2 and got more than they bargained for when the actor went on a tirade, slamming DC Comics and the runaway success of The Dark Knight.
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“You want some plot secrets? Okay, here we go,” Downey said in an interview [with The Chicago Sun-Times] this weekend. “If he said he’s Iron Man in the first film, it’s one thing to say it and another thing to evolve to a point where you can live in a heroic fashion.”
Downey added, “Our goal is also more of the same in ‘Iron Man 2.’ We want to do what worked for us last time. I’m talking about telling more of the story of a guy put in extraordinary circumstances who has a family now and he’s dealing with these forces. In ‘Iron Man 2,’ you will be able to understand various points of view about him that are far-reaching while this guy is still grounded in reality.”
Ok, so basically they’re taking the Christopher Nolan approach: using the continuity established in the first film to logically expand on the plot threads left hanging at the conclusion of the origin story. Not too original, but hey, if the wheel works so well why re-invent it, right?
Downey pretty much echoed his sentiments about IM2 in an interview with Movie Hole, adding that
It’s pretty great and I think it’s going to be cool… [Iron Man has] a very rich feel, because it was a very simple movie, if you ask me. It was an origin story.”
And that’s about when the daggers started flying:
“My whole thing is that that I saw ‘The Dark Knight’. I feel like I’m dumb because I feel like I don’t get how many things that are so smart…and I’m like, ‘That’s not my idea of what I want to see in a movie.’ I…still can’t tell you what happened in the movie, what happened to the character and in the end they need him to be a bad guy. I’m like, ‘I get it. This is so high brow and so f–king smart, I clearly need a college education to understand this movie.’ You know what? F–k DC comics. That’s all I have to say and that’s where I’m really coming from.”
Wow, tell us how you really feel Rob. (It may be time to start urine-testing this guy again.)
Seriously though, I don’t see why Downey is hating on TDK. Iron Man tore it up at the box office ($569 million worldwide as of today,) and basically put Downey back on Hollywood’s radar. What, did that stupid MTV movie award go to his head? Or maybe Marvel has a clause in their contracts which states that their stars have to bad-mouth DC whenever and wherever possible. Hell, maybe Downey is just doing his job
So what do YOU think about Robert Downey Jr.’s kind words for Iron Man 2? About his hateful words for The Dark Knight? You have my permission to sound off.
Source: The Chicago Sun-Times & Movie Hole
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209 Comments
Eh, I always thought he was kind of an @$$hol, so it doesn’t surprise me.
he should be happy with how well Ironman turned out. if IronMan 2 has a better bad guy I think it will do better. IronMonger was ok, but he was kinda weak as a enemy.
What a minute, did he just admit that he couldn’t understand a movie that my 10 year old brother in-law could? ouch… what a burn…. and on himself at that…
I thought he was a little more down to earth than that when he was clean. Sad to see he’s just another ego driven celeb.
Honestly, I think this is badass of Downey, I love the fact that he’s picking a side and is a Marvel homeboy now. He’s revving up the Marvel vs. DC Movie franchises and the hype, so good on him.
He’s doin it for the fans, and to rile people up.
It’s all just viral marketing,
@Rob, That makes a lot of sense because the content of his comments seem strange. Of course, anger can do that to ya…
Ha.. The next couple of years on-line are gonna be fun.
I’ll bet you dollars to donuts that Downey laughed after he said that (meant it as a joke), and it didn’t come across in the original interview.
Vic
Rob,
It’s badass to take a side, but not only was what he said a bit unprofessional– I’ll have to go with blipvert and say he just kinda made himself sound dumb.
I like RDJ, never really read any interviews and whatnot with him so I can’t get a big scope of his character ( in real life ) but the comment was misplaced. Not to say being an unprofessional idiot hasn’t worked for a lot of people;
On that note, f*** Marvel, hoo-rah DC.
Rev
“Ok, so basically they’re taking the Christopher Nolan approach: using the continuity established in the first film to logically expand on the plot threads left hanging at the conclusion of the origin story.”
So, we’re calling that the Christopher Nolan approach now? Like he was the first guy to do it?
Last I heard, the “approach” you describe is simply called doing a sequel. It’s not the universal method, but it’s certainly not uncommon.
To be honest, I like Iron Man better than Dark Knight. I kind of agree with what he said even if he was making a joke.
TDK was a well done movie, but I like my movies (comic book movies especially) to be more fun than TDK. I left Iron Man with a huge smile on my face because it had me laughing and smiling and just enjoying myself. TDK made me feel kind of bleh, I thought it was too serious of a movie (Why so serious, right?)
I am sure I will get crucified for my blasphemy but hey, I pay money for a good time at the movies, life is serious enough without my entertainment taking itself too seriously.
Flame on.
I’d give the benefit of the doubt and agree with Vic that this was said in mock seriousness.
However if it wasn’t I can tell you one name who won’t be considered for Batman’s next opponent.
I also found the end of TDK wanting. The whole Batman has to be bad, Two Face a martyr thing didn’t cut it for me. They also could have cut at least thirty minutes from the movie and it wouldn’t have been missed. A very good movie, but I’m not sure it’s a great one.
AHAHAHAhaaaaa….
RDJ rocks. Thats awesome. I love actors who are free enough to speak their mind.
Nice.
The first time I watched Dark Knight, I felt something was missing, but on second viewing, I didn’t have that feeling. I was able to understand the fast-moving events better and it felt like a better movie for that last half hour.
I disagree that there’s anything that could have been cut that also wouldn’t have affected the film’s point detrimentally.
Nolan’s Batman films have always been “about” things deeper than the surface. The first movie was all about the power of fear both in how it affects Bruce Wayne and how he uses it. The Dark Knight was all about rules and symbols. The test presented to those who must hold themselves to standards against those who have none and believe in none.
I loved Dark Knight so friggin much, but I was honestly a little more satisfied from Iron Man. I think now that it’s been 3-4 weeks and the redonkulous hype has simmered down, people are starting to realize TDK wasn’t the greatest thing ever, lol.
Anyone here see TDK more than once? The second time made me remember all the ordinary or not-good parts, most notably Batman’s voice and some of the plot points.
In Any case, the they’re the two best comic films and 2 of the best films of the year. It was a good year for the comic movie genre and us fans.
Shane, I’m not gonna flame ya because I kind of agree with you. I liked Iron Man more than TDK, too. I really enjoyed TDK, but it was too long and too serious; whereas IM was a fun ride from start to finish and had me wishing it wouldn’t end. A LITTLE more levity in TDK (besides Alfred’s lamborgine comment)would have made the movie better, IMO. Actually, I liked Batman Begins more than I did TDK.
As for RDJ….ROTFLMFAO!!!
Remember that through the ages, all health professionals have agreed about the difficulties of getting out of drugs.
LOL
Whos Robery Downey Jr,,,?
thats Tony Stark, talking !!!
I gotta say Kofi, you have a knack for photos. (Thats Downeys mug shot from years back). You bastard !!!
Shane, I agree, the dual boat scene is when i felt bleh.
Iron Man’s ablities are way cooler anyway.
I like this new smileyshade^
I found RDJ comments wonderfully refreshing coming from someone in PC Hollywood.Whats so wrong with someone speaking their mind?Why do we have to agree on everything?Why does he have to like TDK?A little rivalry will only cause everyone to bring their A-Game to the screen,so maybe it’s a good thing,I love it!
BTW Vic,I suspect you are right this was said more tongue and cheek than the article reveals and also more calculating than off the cuff,to put Marvel back in the mix since TDK is getting all the press at the moment.
Yes, TDK was wonderful, but not perfect, about 20 or 30 minutes could have been cut out, and im sorry but the ending was just crap. Iron Man came closer to perfection than TDK imo.
oh and i love actors who arent fake and speak their mind, RDJ is a very good actor and it looks like his bad times are behind him.
If this was just a Marvel vs. DC thing, I don’t get it. If anything, with the re-vamped Batman series excepted, DC hasn’t had much of anything over the last few years to celebrate, let alone anything good. If I were to expect any sour grapes, I’d expect it to come rather from the DC camp. Marvel has enjoyed a string of successes over the last few years and a couple of major ones this year alone.
I think I understand what RDJ’s saying…
As much as I LOVED ‘The Dark Knight’, I think it makes the mistake of looking down its nose at the DC Universe from which it originated. It’s not so much that it’s “too smart” – as RDJ seems to think – it’s that it actively seeks to isolate itself into such a realistic world of crime that A) you couldn’t possibly utilise around 75% of Batman’s classic rogues gallery, and B) the’ll have a hard time making Superman, Green Lantern, Flash, Wonder Woman and the Justice League make any sense in the same universe.
I’d love them to prove me wrong but – then – I’d love them to have made a great, smart comic book movie in the first place – rather than just a smart, great crime film.
You are all crazy. I’ve seen TDK 4 times (2 IMAX, 2 Regular) and IM 4 times. I can tell you: brevity only holds up for as long as you don’t remember every joke. IM is also basically built on 15 min of that armor debut/Middle East sequence. TDK on the other hand ranks up there with Empire Strikes Back, Temple of Doom, Spider-Man 2, and The Two Towers, as a sequel that really raised the stakes. Those IMAX Shots? Works of art. And TDK really does compare to the best American Literature in the sense that it gets deeper and more profound THE MORE you watch. IM will just make you nostalgic for the first time you watched it.
I think you shot yourself in the foot by including ‘Temple Of Doom’ there.
Not with me… I liked that film… but the general credibility of comparing TDK and Temple Of Doom… ah… doesn’t really hold up.
hey i loved the dark knight as a film.
but i’m with robert D.JR,
I’m a die hard MARVEL comics fan.
i read them like crazy & im addicted to the “secret invasion” story line.
but comics alone MARVEL Befor DC.
Kane, I think the route to making the best Batman movie possible is to make it a great crime film. (Best in this case meaning most dramatic and engaging). The approach Nolan uses here, as Roger Ebert noted enables that level of engagement:
“It is customary in a comic book movie to maintain a certain knowing distance from the action, to view everything through a sophisticated screen. “The Dark Knight” slips around those defenses and engages us.”
It could have been more customary, more of a traditional comic book film adaptation, and it might have been more “fun” that way, but it wouldn’t have been as enjoyable (at least for me). We’ve seen that Batman before, and it served that purpose. It still exists on film for those who want that experience, but there’s enough range in the material to make a movie like this for a different, yet possibly even more satisfying experience.
Would this apply necessarily to other comic book characters? I’ll never say it’s impossible, but it would likely be more difficult.
I have to agree with both the “joking” and “appeasing the Marvel and DC fanboys in one fell swoop” theories. If he said nice things about TDK, people would call him soft.
Not disputing that… just saying it’s a film that will cause major headaches should Warner Bros attempt to link TDK to the wider universe (ala Marvel Studios plans).
A month ago, I’d have scoffed at any suggestion they’d want that… but I imagine the success of TDK makes it a virtual no-brainer in the eyes of Hollywood executives. Not to mention that success came around the same time as the much-touted “superhero summit” where DC and Warner reportedly hashed out long-term plans for their comic characters.
If they DO try working Nolan’s world into the other franchises, I hope they do it with some class and perhaps make Batman/Bruce Wayne our “rock” (so to speak) and have him as shocked by the new world as we would be if flying Kryptonians, Amazonian princesses and a glowing green police force powered by their rings suddenly appeared on the street.
Maybe the creators are smarter than I give them credit for… but remember: corporate greed over creative smarts is what led to Batman & Robin.
Heck… maybe the answer to finding a better Bat-adversary than The Joker (in light of Heath Ledger’s death) could be in a new Superman! Batman’s been painted as the murderer of the DA (likely creating a worse Gotham than ever) and giving an “in” to another hero to track him down.
Perhaps that could also answer the questions of how to make Superman “cool” again – put him in a dark and complex moral situation/place – and how to avoid the “third chapter syndrome”.
And the lead-up to Justice League could well be in the Brother Eye style device used in the end of TDK.
Crazy? Yeah… and I don’t even know if I’m being serious… but stranger things have happened. It’s all in the execution.
Kane,
No doubt the boom of high quality comic book films can’t last forever. I’ve at least heard that there’s a chance WB will actually give Nolan more creative leeway in light of this success, if and when he ever decides to cap off what could be the first trilogy to have no red-haired stepchildren.
I just don’t see Nolan or the actors in his Batman universe co-operating with a Justice League type deal. Bale at least will have had his fill of the character by then and will be looking forward to expanding his resume. The others will do likewise because let’s face it, Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine and Gary Oldman have better things to do than linger too long in one place.
WB will have to come up with an alternate plan for Justice League. I would suggest an animated film, because something like that can stand on it’s own apart from Nolan’s universe. Be it’s own thing.
Of course, I’ve never thought the idea of a Justice League was a natural fit for the big screen. Same for the Avengers on the Marvel side. Too much can go wrong with that many leads vying for part of the spotlight. Much better to just focus on creating individual, well-crafted stories for each individual hero.
I think I need to stop throwing ideas out there purely for thought/conversation, ‘cus I forget you only have this one moment to judge my points on.
Just for the record, I’ve been saying for a long time that a Nolan Batman would never work with Superman and/or the JLA. And I still think that (and therefore agree with you, jerseycajun).
But.
I do think the powers that be will try their darnedest to work TDK (and Batman Begins) into their plans if they can. So, with that in mind, it’s fun to think of how they could do it with class and intelligence… against all prior judgement.
I also used to think crossovers were a dangerous proposition… but, so far, it sounds like Marvel are going to make it work. You can have creativity and business at the same time – it just takes some very clever people.
I think if Nolan really wanted to introduce Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, or the Justice League, he could find a way to do it and make it plausible. People seem to forget that The Prestige involved the supernatural, so it’s not like Nolan isn’t familiar with it. I just don’t see how it would be possible under the scope of one film.
As to Jr. I’m just going to say: “Cocaine’s a hell of a drug.”
I kid.
He’s just bitter Ben Stiller’s nephew was right.
So “Watchmen” is basically DC’s superhero team movie. Unofficial reports were that the production companies had 200 million budgeted for JL. That seems a little shy for a Routh/Bale movie; Ignoring the other actors and the required additional costs those actors bring to the production, irrespective of those actors salaries. So maybe the reason JL is tabled isn’t story but money for a particular story.
Then again would Bale do a cameo for a few million? There are JL stories that have a wary Batman that won’t get involved beyond a financial commitment. While “Watchman” de constructs superhero mythology, a JL story could explore the limits of meta-power, ala a Justice Lords like story. Could complement “The Man Of Steel” movie as well. How many caught the easter egg in “I am Legend” where there’s a bill board in the background with Superman’s’ S over Batman’s’ bat symbol?
It’s a shame to see my respect for another star vanish. There was no need for this.
Sounds like IM2 will take a similar route to DK. I hope they do keep the same sort of magic as the 1st, but i doubt it if the ‘troubled hero’ is the story they want to tell.
Given all we have is a quote… without tone, context, yada, yada, yada… I don’t think anyone can claim to know just how serious RDJ was. I certainly would “lose respect” for him. Heck, for all we know, he had a few drinks and was having a laugh about his film being beaten at the box office.
I’ve been known to say less than polite things about George Lucas in my time but I’d hate to have cops arrive at my door arresting me for murder threats.
*Sheesh*
If RDJ finds the Dark Knight too highbrow, hate to think how he’d react to Memento!
Maybe it is all a setup. Next thing Bale will slag off Iron Man, and we’ll have the two sides baiting each other until their movies come out and we’re foaming at the mouth for them.
Wouldn’t surprise me if some jealousy was involved though. Great reviews of RDJ’s performance but not a whisper of an oscar.
**Quote”
“T. said,
August 13th, 2008
I also found the end of TDK wanting. The whole Batman has to be bad, Two Face a martyr thing didn’t cut it for me. They also could have cut at least thirty minutes from the movie and it wouldn’t have been missed. A very good movie, but I’m not sure it’s a great one. ”
————————————–
Wow. This is just how I feel about the TDK. I am not kidding.
Reverend,
what do you mean by unprofessional? This is a good thing man, something we rarely get from hollywood, honesty, humour rather than this media-trained repeated nonsense we get from pro athletes.
I think what you want is something we’d never be able to talk about on sites like this and things never to get excited about.
I would be equally excited if Bale came out and poked fun at marvel. It shows the actors are actually passionate about what they do, are honest, and love what this is all about.
If professionalism is avoiding this kinda light humour, appeasing the fans sort of this, then I don’t want any pros around, lol
oh, and you said it makes him look kinda dumb, I think it makes him look entirely the opposite and I think most others here would agree. It would be dumb of him to not take advantage of his position and this situation. I am entertained from this, I am excited more for what’s coming from this, and I give more props to RDJ because of this. More importantly, this just adds more fuel to the comicmovie train
quote
ppnkof said,
“TDK on the other hand ranks up there with Empire Strikes Back, Temple of Doom, Spider-Man 2, and The Two Towers,”
Seriously what are you smoking the two towers a couple or retards walking to get rid of a magic ring how exciting none of those films compare to empire strikes back.
DC suck in comparison to Marvel who have made the mistake with spider man and xmen but is still strong enough to work around not being able to make their own versions of there strongest and most watched heros
@kobe
Marvel… What have they done again? Spidey 1, 2, X2, Iron Man? DC has just Bats Begins and TDK RIGHT NOW, but Watchmen is on the way, V for Vendetta deserves note and Bats 3 will be a smash. Green Lantern, Flash…. When DC gets going full swing Marvel will be running out of gas. Gonna be interesting to see what you have to say then. And to all you haters: $400+ million doesn’t lie. Men lie, women lie, numbers never lie.
Yeah! Numbers don’t lie! The Phantom Menace was a brilliant, well-crafted and solidly written film!
(The funny thing here is that people will presume I’m saying The Dark Knight is in some way like The Phantom Menace when actually I’m just mocking a single statement)
He was joking, even my little brother understood that.
@ppnkof
numbers lie dude tdk did good numbers because good advertising same way spidey 3 did and that films horrible but tdk is still doing good numbers partly because it’s a good film and partly because the imax thing where people are watching it twice cause 1st in normal cinema then in imax because of availability not saying it’s a bad film but marvel have better super heros and if they did spidey them selves without sonys involvement dc could not compare flash is a good one green lantern is ok superman what happened there the rest are like marvel rip offs look at marvel spidey, venom, wolverine, dead pool, hulk, and then the ultimate onslaught.
plus you watch some weird dudes walking a ring somewhere and liked it come on your easily please ha ha ha
“Yeah! Numbers don’t lie! The Phantom Menace was a brilliant, well-crafted and solidly written film!”
Rimshot! Bud-um-BUM.
Vic
btw kane nice comment phantom menace lol
Rob,
To avoid confrontation, I’ll just add:
1) Did you not read the last line of the comment? ( Which was so nicely edited, I forgot the site was PG-13 )
2) Never, on any level, assume you think you know what I want.
Rev
Downey received an Academy Award nomination and won the BAFTA (British Academy Award) Best Actor for his performance in the title role of Chaplin, released in 1992. Hes also a Golden Globe Winner.
I seriously doubt hes jelous.
@kobe
Could you please consider using punctuations the next time you post anywhere? Also it should be clear by now that DC always had better superheroes(the villains alone make DC more powerful) while Marvel had better storytellers which is why I’m more a Marvel fan. Also if you do a cross search based on the timelines of the superheroes/villains, you will find out that Marvel ripped off DC more on creating new characters to date.
The reason Marvel had better luck with the movies ’cause DC/Warner Bros. had been clueless until Nolan showed up and now they have a dilemma where two of the greatest superheroes of all time may never share a screen together-don’t think anyone cares at this point anyway. But then again I’d say Batman Begins and The Dark Knight combination alone holds the flag for DC higher than the critically successful(forget box-office) Marvel outings X-Men 1&2,Spiderman 2,Iron Man and The Incredible Hulk while there have been some ill conceived projects such as HULK,Daredevil,Electra,Punisher,X-Men 3, Spiderman 3 and The Fantastic Four movies. So there had been some hit and miss situations and it seemed like the fans were just happy to see their favourite superheroes on screen until Iron Man raised the bar for any further Marvel release. Robert Downey Jr. had every right to express himself like an egomaniacal jerk, I would’ve as well if my rivals came up with an instant classic!
Anyway it’s still Marvel’s 5 against DC’s 2.The saddest thing is that DC/Warner Bros are yet to come up with a plausible story for a Superman film since the original back in 1978.The revamped Batman franchise only made matters more complicated for them. Also their intention to adapt the OMAC storyline and NOT an origin story for the Justice League movie shows how “clueless” they are.
Risa,
I thought Superman 2 with General Zod was the best movie of the series with Chris Reeve. ALL the Supes movies since that one have been corny and/or sucked. Including Returns.
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