Is this talented actor just phoning it in anymore?

I may not like super hero films, but I don't think I could say Robert Downey Jr is phoning it in while playing Tony Stark. The most recent film proves that, I think. At least, in regards to his acting. His eyes say more in a second than the rest of the actors do in all their scenes together, in my opinion.
And I adore his Sherlock Holmes, so I cannot be objective.
I think until he stops doing Marvel films everyone will associate with that.
I agree with you. I want him to do more roles in the near future, but I'm not sure when exactly he'll do that. Maybe after Infinity Wars.

I am looking forward to his Pinocchio -the newset information is that it is going to be a musical- and hope for the best.


The only question remains. Will you yield... in time?

Thank you for the response.
I remember seeing the first Iron Man movie in the cinema and liking it. He just nailed the role so well. But for me, one film was enough. I don't see how these stories can be repeatedly engaging, especially considering the loads of other connected films coming out of the Marvel Universe. They don't draw me in, and I feel that other movie-goers will inevitably become fatigued of it at some point as well. I get that it's just personal preference, though. I was never a comic book reader.

Anyway, maybe "phoning it in" isn't exactly the correct phrasing, because I imagine that he still can deliver a good performance in these movies. But it's been done before. His task of playing Tony Stark is probably old hat by now. I can't help feeling that the range of emotion for the character is rather limited. And there is so much more humanity and interest and empathy for him to explore as an actor.

I was unaware of the Pinocchio project--seems like it could be fun! Downey would make a lovely and quirky Geppetto. Apparently Ron Howard is slated to direct, so that collaboration could have interesting results. Many thanks for mentioning it.

I love RDJ to pieces, so I'd have to be disrespectful, too. He is huge fun as Iron Man, yes. And even there he shows acting skills most of the others around him could only dream of. But I remember watching Civil War in the cinema and being majorly annoyed, that every time, I saw this glimpse in his eyes, the glimpse of desparation, rage, sadness, the acting stopped and we got flying and fighting instead. *sighs* Having scenes like the one from "A Guide To Recognizing Your Saints" in mind, when his character Dito is addressing his father, it nearly tore me apart that he couldn't deliver the same intensity when he found out that Bucky killed his parents, and that Cap knew. But let's be honest: The majority of the fans of those superhero movies would be bored to death, as their watching habits aren't used to more subtle acting. I read a complaint, that in Civil War there were so many lengths when there was no fighting up to FIFTEEN MINUTES! (the chewing marks I left on the edge of my desk are still there ... )

There is a theory I have, probably a pathetic one.

Robert is a born entertainer, and I think, he sees himself more as one than as an artist. He needs the camera, the applause, the cheering, but always was a "mid-card" actor before. So what is happening to him since the first Iron Man movie must be like a dream. When he'll leave the Marvel franchise, the screaming crowds will shrink, and I could imagine that he wants to enjoy this, as long as his body is allowing him to play a more physical role like that.

And let's be honest: The fact that he can squeeze out of Disney as much as he wants (and probably more) must be very very tempting. (And I confess, I consider it very entertaining, too) Plus it's giving him the security to have the finances for his own future projects. (at least there are enough in his mind he wants to do with his own company Team Downey, and I hope we'll see the day) "The Judge" in 2014 was promising enough, and I'd love to see more of that kind of movies. (Have you seen it? You mentioned, you haven't seen anything new of him since 2010.)




has a thing for the dude portraying the dude playin' the dude, disguised as another dude

he's not good i think he always playing himself Downey was good only in Chaplin

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He has talent. It's there. It's just masked in cgi costumes and trucks full of money.

On a serious note: yes. It cannot be argued that he's stretching himself. See Michael Keaton for that. I think he may be scared of failure. He's grown into such a success story that I don't think he can take rejection.

His opinions on movies is a bit bothersome. I remember he got his panties jumbled up when Inarritu insulted Downey Jr's money making genre and said something disparaging about small movies.

"His opinions on movies is a bit bothersome. I remember he got his panties jumbled up when Inarritu insulted Downey Jr's money making genre and said something disparaging about small movies."

I believe he knows quite a bit about small budget movies due to his past experience in those projects. I can't blame him.

Given those individuals were the only reason he got another shot in movies after he made a blunder of himself: it's ironic to say the least. It is, to some extent, just as much of a blanket statement as, "super hero movies are cultural genocide."

I remember Downey Jr. saying something about a horror story on set of a small movie. He had grounds to be upset. That blanket statement holds no weight though.