Robert Downey Jr. has been one of Hollywood's best actors for decades, starting off in the 1980s with a series of hit films, before becoming a powerful and pop culture mainstream icon. In fact, many would say that his stint as the MCU's Tony Stark has cemented his status as a legend.
That being said, it's a wonder how many video game characters the actor could portray on the big screen. If Robert Downey Jr. decided to tackle any of these roles, he'd undoubtedly bring them to life in a huge way, while putting his own signature spin on them. The results would be nothing short of amazing.
Handsome Jack (Borderlands)
Handsome Jack is an extremely likable character who relies almost exclusively on sarcasm as a defining personality trait, with merciless cruelty trucking slowly behind. Robert Downey Jr. has proven that he's more than capable of being a fantastic cinematic wisecracker, thanks largely to his now-iconic stint as Iron Man in the MCU films.
His performance as Jack would be slightly different than his Borderlands video game counterpart, voiced with excellence by Dameon Clarke, but it could easily work. Downey Jr. would need to inflect some genuine humor into the role, a la the first Iron Man film, as opposed to the more serious quips in later films.
Jesse McCree (Overwatch)
Jesse McCree is a younger character, which means Robert Downey Jr. would either have to be theoretically younger to play the role (or the character himself would have to be much older). Either way, the actor could easily tackle the smooth-talking, overly polite gunslinger.
Downey Jr. would have to put his trademark kinetic energy to the side just a little bit in order to properly nail McCree's personality, but his versatility as an actor would make that quite easy. The key personality trait he'd have to evoke for the role would undoubtedly be charm, which is part of what makes McCree one of Overwatch's best characters.
Gordon Freeman (Half-Life)
Of all the characters that Downey Jr. could pull off, Gordon Freeman is perhaps the best, for several reasons. First, he's got that build-down pat, as well as the overall face shape and facial hair. Slap a pair of spectacles on him, hand him a crowbar, and Gordon Freeman would truly come alive.
Second, it would be an opportunity for Freeman's personality to be explored via a feature film. The game purposely leaves the protagonist silent so that characters can fill his shoes in an RPG-style manner, but a Half-Life film would need to establish the kind of guy Freeman is.
Max Payne
There has already been an attempt to bring Max Payne to theaters, with Mark Wahlberg in the titular role. It wasn't a bad film, but it did leave a lot to be desired, especially when it comes down to the game's grittiest subject matter.
Robert Downey Jr. would have filled this role perfectly. The actor could play an older and far more grizzled version of Payne, with a level of nihilism that has sunk in years after his family was slaughtered. As such, it would be better if the film bypassed an origin story altogether, and got straight into the action, with Downey Jr.'s Payne experiencing the trauma through flashbacks.
Arthur Morgan (Red Dead Redemption)
Arthur Morgan is the second of two gunslingers that Robert Downey Jr. could play with total ease. Morgan is well known for being both a scoundrel, as well as a gentleman (at least to some relative degree). It's a natural fit for the actor, who could play up his own charm and apply it to Morgan's own character.
Plus, Robert Downey Jr. has enough gruffness in his own personality and physicality to play a down and dirty cowboy like Morgan. It would probably end up being one of his most charming and cheer-worthy roles, especially given Red Dead Redemption's references to classic western films.
Joel (The Last Of Us)
Robert Downey Jr.'s incredible performance as Tony Stark in the MCU was evident in how the character shifted as time went on. He started out as a guilty conscience bachelor trying to right the wrongs of the past with an optimistic view on life, only to slide into paranoia and defeatism later on.
Joel is the same kind of character; a broken man seeking a new purpose in a world that has collapsed around him. Downey Jr. would have to evoke later-era Tony Stark, a man far more paranoid and nihilistic than his old self. It remains to be seen whether actor Pedro Pascal will manage to nail Joel's mannerisms better than Downey Jr. could.
Joseph Seed (Far Cry 5)
Robert Downey Jr. has played several evildoers in past films (like U.S. Marshals), and he does it well. When he turns up the heat, it's positively chilling, and just another facet of the actor's repertoire. Taking on the role of an evil man with a savior complex, like Joseph Seed, should be a walk in the park.
It could be interesting to watch Downey Jr. play a Far Cry video game character who runs a fanatical religious cult, with himself as their Messiah figure. It would be an opportunity for the actor to tap into a side that he doesn't often get the chance to experiment with.
The Illusive Man (Mass Effect)
Martin Sheen played Mass Effect's mysterious Illusive Man with a level of sophistication and simmering villainy that has made him one of the best antagonists in gaming. A feature film version could put Robert Downey Jr. in that particular role, with the cybernetic contact lenses to match.
Naturally, Downey Jr.'s performance would be quite different from Sheen's, but not enough to distance the audience from the popular villain. The actor has a knack for playing characters that have ulterior motives and are willing to manipulate those around them for a more profitable venture.
Cid Highwind (Final Fantasy VII)
Die his hair blonde and insert those blue-eyed contact lenses (a la Tropic Thunder), and Downey Jr. could easily slip into the boots of the lovably gruff Cid, from Final Fantasy VII. It would also give the actor a chance to turn loose when it comes to comedy and let the chips fall where they may.
Cid is characterized primarily by his uncouth personality traits, as well as his intelligent personality. An actor like Downey Jr. could bring those traits to life in a big way, alternating between the character's sandpaper disposition, and his fondness for science and mechanical engineering.
Hancock (Fallout 4)
Hancock is one of the most interesting characters in Fallout 4 due entirely to his ruthless, yet altogether honorable nature. Downey Jr. could easily tackle the role, with nothing but some prosthetic ghoul makeup and a nifty outfit to sell the performance.
Hopefully, the film's director would opt for a more unique look for Hancock, like the one shown in this popular Fallout 4 mod. If so, Downey Jr.'s own personality and physicality could shine through, allowing him to establish the character far better than the original.