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Robert Downey Jr. ’s functioning as Iron Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe over the past several year is considered the determinate iteration of the part . However , both before and after he donned the metal suit , Downey Jr. has been involved in a wide array of pic across genres and has embodied roles that push the boundaries of his work as a performing artist . Whilefew of his films have reached the heights of popularity that some of theAvengersmovies achieved , that does n’t make them any less important or pivotal in his career as an role player .
It ’s middling to worry that Downey Jr. might not be back in a non - Marvel role for a long time now that he ’s transition back to the MCU .
Thoughaudiences were saddened when his prison term as Iron Man end , the late announcement thatDowney Jr. is returning to the MCU as Doctor Doomhas created excitement and anxiousness . It seemed that Iron Man ’s demise put the quislingism between the actor and the studio apartment to rest , but this is no longer straight . However , it ’s honest to interest that Downey Jr. might not be back in a non - Marvel purpose for a long sentence now that he ’s transition back to the MCU . While he does dandy work within these comic book function , his other projection are fun to look back on .

Marvel Studios has shockingly revealed that Robert Downey Jr. is returning to the MCU … as Doctor Doom ! Here ’s how it can work .
10Weird Science (1985)
Directed by John Hughes
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Cast
John Hughes ' 1985 drollery Weird Science tell the story of two high school students who create a virtual woman using their computer , only to have her come to sprightliness . Anthony Michael Hall and Ilan Mitchell - Smith star as teenager Gary Wallace and Wyatt Donnelly , with Kelly LeBrock playing the by artificial means make Lisa and Bill Paxton and Robert Downey Jr. in put up role ,
ThoughWeird Scienceisn’t considered one ofJohn Hughes ' best movie , it does feature a new Downey Jr. alongside some of the most iconic members of the Brat Pack . While Downey Jr. was never a member of the Brat Pack , he was in quite a few romanticistic and teen comediesin the 1980s that put him in exchangeable lap . InWeird Science , Downey plays a gamey school day bully , Ian , who torments the two lead characters , leading them to create Lisa , an conception of the " perfect woman , " who has supernatural powers .
In some ways , Weird Scienceis little more than a dated manly phantasy that was a popular narrative in teen picture show in the 1980s . However , Downey Jr. demonstrates his congenital skill for comedic timing and the suave archetype that would come to delimitate many of the characters he played . to boot , Weird Sciencestands out in Hughes ' oeuvre because it comprise fantasy element , making it more inventive than some of the interpersonal dramas that were featured in his more realistic projects .

9Peter Wright - Only You (1994)
Directed by Norman Jewison
Only Youis one of the few movies in which Downey Jr. plays a romanticist leash , but he still manages to get in plenty of jab and one - liners in his office . Downey Jr. is join by Marisa Tomei inOnly You , a lesser - known work by director Norman Jewison . However , though it was never as democratic as his earlier project , Moonstruck , there are plenty of latitude to draw between the two film . With elements of fantasy and discussions of portion , Only Youis a tribute to the fixed storage - com genrewhile transcending it through the unlikely devotee at the tale ’s center .
Downey Jr. and Tomei would later reunite in Marvel’sSpider - Manmovies , as Tomei played Aunt May .
Downey Jr. and Tomei would later reunite in Marvel’sSpider - Manmovies , as Tomei played Aunt May . The pair ’s interpersonal chemistry had not fade at all over the year , and the spark that was obviously ignited inOnly Youwas clear than ever , even if Tony Stark was mouth for . When viewingOnly You , the audience must suspend their disbelief when it comes to the magical realism that the patch relies on . However , look out Downey Jr. and Tomei fall in love and bicker their hearts out take no stint of the imagination .

8Dolittle (2020)
Directed by Stephen Gaghan
Dolittle is a 2020 reboot of the Doctor Dolittle franchise asterisk Robert Downey Jr. The plastic film is partly based on Hugh Lofting ’s novel The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle and kernel on the titular character as he search for a mystic island with his work party of talk creature . The film get poor reviews upon release and was also a corner - office nonstarter .
ThoughDolittledoesn’t amount near to the charm and illusion of the 1967 filmDoctor Dolittle , asterisk Rex Harrison , it does make some authoritative update and take footstep to lock untested audiences . Downey Jr. was a surprising pick for the titular role of Doctor Dolittle , buthe pull off to be a vivid spot in a movie that was n’t well - receive . The picture was already in a unmanageable position , as it was released in 2020 , but as prison term goes on , it will in all probability be revisited , if only for the fact that Downey Jr. steps out of his solace zona .
The part honk that substantiate Downey Jr. throughout the movie is a star - studded mathematical group , but this is n’t quite enough to get over the optical effects that are less realistic than the 1967 movie ’s practical one . There ’s an constituent of the weird found in the data processor - bring forth animalsthat all of Downey Jr. ’s efforts as a presume adventurer ca n’t desexualise . Additionally , Doctor Dolittle ’s persona is neuter greatly in the 2020 film , and his personality lacks the whimsy and delight that ’s required to head a child ’s adventure film .

Image by Debanjana Chowdhury
7Sherlock Holmes (2009)
Directed by Guy Ritchie
Guy Ritchie ’s Sherlock Holmes adjust the stories of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle with an all - star Hollywood cast . jell in 1890 , Sherlock Holmes follows the eccentric but brilliant detective Sherlock ( Robert Downey Jr. ) and his partner Watson ( Jude Law ) as they solve various closed book around Victorian London . Teaming up with former opponent Irene Adler ( Rachel McAdams ) , the detectives find themselves oppose against the villainous Lord Henry Blackwood ( Mark Strong ) as he attempts to gain ascendence of Britain .
Guy Ritchie ’s iteration ofSherlock Holmeswas factious at the time and is still considered one of the more unequalled takes on the classic stories by Arthur Conan Doyle .
Similarly to his casting inDolittle , it was a shock to many audience members when it was announced a new adaptation ofSherlock Holmeswould feature Downey Jr. as the iconic detective . Guy Ritchie ’s loop ofSherlock Holmeswas factious at the time and is still consider one of the more singular takes on the Hellenic fib by Arthur Conan Doyle . It ’s an natural process adventure with acute editing and fast - paced fight scenesthat make Sherlock into a debonair Heron rather than a cloistered intellectual .

John Hughes' 1985 comedy Weird Science tells the story of two high school students who create a virtual woman using their computer, only to have her come to life. Anthony Michael Hall and Ilan Mitchell-Smith star as teenagers Gary Wallace and Wyatt Donnelly, with Kelly LeBrock playing the artificially created Lisa and Bill Paxton and Robert Downey Jr. in supporting roles,
There are manyupcomingSherlockmovies and TV shows , as the narrative and characters are so iconic that it would be unimaginable for filmmakers to put the floor to rest . However , Downey Jr. has become more intimately tied to the role than looker might have guessed when the first motion-picture show amount out in 2009.It was liberate just a twelvemonth after the firstIron Manfilm , so Downey Jr. had n’t been fully immersed into the MCU yet , allow audiences to believe and accept him as the genius investigator .
6The Judge (2014)
Directed by David Dobkin
In the 2014 dramatic play The Judge , Robert Downey Jr. star as successful lawyer Hank Palmer , who pass to his hometown to oppose his alienated sire , Joseph Palmer ( Robert Duvall ) , a judge accuse of murder . Vera Farmiga , Vincent D’Onofrio , Jeremy Strong , Dax Shepard , Billy Bob Thornton , and Leighton Meester attack out the residuum of the main cast .
The look and style ofThe Judgeis difficult to trap down , as this class dramatic play takes a coloured turn , need a lot from Downey Jr. ’s performance . He play Hank , a defense lawyer with no queasiness about letting the bad guys go free , but the account shortly reveals itself to be about Hank ’s family relationship with his father , Joseph ( Robert Duvall ) . Joseph is a judge and has always been vital of Hank ’s life selection , take the moral high solid ground . However , this all come crash down when Hank has to defend Joseph after he get into a hit - and - streak .
It ’s a complicated billet , as Joseph has no memory of the accident and is name with Cancer the Crab . However , the most important dramatic thrust of the narrative is the fact that Joseph and Hank determine to forgive each other and reconnect after many year of anger . It ’s Downey Jr. and Duvall that makeJudgeworth watching , as they have a believable chemistry as father and son , and they represent a universal the true of the difficulties of family in their performances .

5Soapdish (1991)
Directed by Michael Hoffman
Downey Jr. is screaming inSoapdish , a camp and nostalgic sarcasm that take on the soap opera house musical genre with pot of heart and humor . His theatrical role , David , is one of the producers of the fictional soap opera house that the fibre operate on , andhis saving of his ridiculous and melodramatic lines is inspired . Though he ’s one of the adversary , his villainous way are more bungling and ill - rede than actually evil . He stars alongside an amazing cast that have Sally Fields , Kevin Kline , and Whoopi Goldberg .
There ’s a heap to love aboutSoapdish , but it ’s crucial to look back on date movies of its ilk through a critical and contemporary genus Lens .
Unfortunately , for all its astonishing writing and screaming elements , not every part of the film has aged well . When watchingSoapdish , it ’s important to be cognizant that the last few second of the movie demand an offensive and upsetting limning of transphobia . It ’s a dissatisfactory end to a picture show that might be considered a religious cult classic today if not for the unadvisable choice that could have been easily avoided . There ’s a lot to enjoy aboutSoapdish , but it ’s authoritative to count back on dated flick of its ilk through a critical and contemporary lens .

4Natural Born Killers (1994)
Directed by William Oliver Stone
The 1994 crime thriller Natural Born Killers , accommodate from an original account by Quentin Tarantino and directed by Oliver Stone , say the story of two manslayer who become fame due to their charming personality . Woody Harrelson and Juliette Lewis star as criminals Mickey and Mallory Knox , with Robert Downey Jr. as sleazy journalist Wayne Gale , Tom Sizemore as Detective Jack Scagnetti , and Tommy Lee Jones as Warden Dwight McClusky .
Oliver Stone directedNatural Born Killers , but Quentin Tarantino receive story credit despite not compose the script . These elements produce a tearing and intense thriller . Woody Harrelson and Juliette Lewis play the tether couple on a red criminal offense spreeafter head for the hills an abusive past times . However , Downey Jr. is heavily have as Wayne Gale , a diarist who has every intention of using their morose past and present penchant for violence as a way to make headlines . Though each graphic symbol has more to them than come across the eye , they ’re all part of the cycle of abuse .
Natural Born Killersis an indictment of the way violence is extol by the media and how this can heavy touch on the development of young people in the U.S. As the movie progresses , it ’s easy to detest Downey Jr. ’s character , as even if he is n’t the one committing the terrible bit , he ’s profiting off of them . WatchingNatural Born Killersis not easy , and the winding nature of the plot leaves the audience opine until the very end . However , it shows a side of Downey Jr. that ’s rarely seen in his heroic leading roles .

Dolittle is a 2020 reboot of the Doctor Dolittle franchise starring Robert Downey Jr. The film is partly based on Hugh Lofting’s novel The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle and centers on the titular character as he searches for a mysterious island with his crew of talking animals. The film received poor reviews upon release and was also a box-office failure.
3Chaplin (1992)
Directed by Richard Attenborough
establish on the animation of Charlie Chaplin , Chaplin is a biographic comedy - drama starring Robert Downey Jr. as the nominal silent - film comedian worker - director . The photographic film follows an aged Charlie Chaplin as he narrate his life to his autobiographer . From his turbulent childhood to his prolific career , this fictionalize retelling of Chaplin ’s life explore authentic details of many of his life history experience .
Chaplincame out in 1992 and is a remarkable testimonial to Downey Jr. ’s skills as a untried actorjust being recognize as a leading man in Hollywood . There are few persona that are accompanied by as much pressure as playing Charlie Chaplin . Not only was Chaplin the forefather of comedic movie theater , but he was also instrumental in popularizing cinema for widespread audiences and creating the visual linguistic process that film maker would use for year to come . gratefully , Downey Jr. was more than up to the challenge of portraying him .
It ’s the empathy and vulnerability that shines through in the geographic expedition of Chaplin ’s personal biography that makesChaplinsuch a strong film .

What make Downey Jr. ’s turn as Charlie Chaplin so memorable is n’t just his strong-arm funniness or transformation into the eccentric . It ’s the empathy and exposure that shine through in the exploration of Chaplin ’s personal life that makesChaplinsuch a strong moving-picture show . Though it did n’t have the most successful test at the box business office , Chaplinwas warmly received by critics and earned Downey Jr. a nod for Best Actor at the Academy Awards .
2Oppenheimer (2023)
Directed by Christopher Nolan
Oppenheimer is a photographic film by Christopher Nolan , which follows the theoretical physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer , the gentleman’s gentleman behind the nuclear bomb calorimeter . Cillian Murphy will work the titulary theatrical role , with the story base on the Bible American Prometheus : The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin .
There ’s no question thatOppenheimeris Cillian Murphy ’s picture , as the actor has partnered with Christopher Nolan many times before and deliver the goods the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance as J. Robert Oppenheimer . As far as biopics go , few are take thebest biopic movies of all time , butOppenheimerquickly made the list concisely after its discharge . Downey Jr. ’s fiber , Lewis Strauss , is an antagonist of kind inOppenheimer . However , he really serves as a stand - in for the external forces and political ideology that lead to earthly concern - altering decisions .
Oppenheimeris one of the most beautify movies to come out in the last five years , and it will be interesting to see if Downey Jr. and Nolan collaborate again in the futurity . Many of the directors Downey Jr. has act with who have received vital acclamation for their oeuvre are not fans of the MCU . However , this does n’t have in mind that they would turn aside from the actor , as he ’s a tried and true box seat office draw play in addition to being a performer who can extend a complex role .

Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes adapts the stories of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle with an all-star Hollywood cast. Set in 1890, Sherlock Holmes follows the eccentric but brilliant detective Sherlock (Robert Downey Jr.) and his partner Watson (Jude Law) as they solve various mysteries around Victorian London. Teaming up with former adversary Irene Adler (Rachel McAdams), the detectives find themselves pitted against the villainous Lord Henry Blackwood (Mark Strong) as he attempts to gain control of Britain.
Robert Downey Jr. could make history at the 2024 Primetime Emmy Awards by becoming the first manly actor to gain an Emmy & Oscar in the same year .
1Zodiac (2007)
Directed by David Fincher
Zodiac is a offence thriller point by David Fincher , detail the true story of the unresolved Zodiac Killer case . center on diarist Paul Avery , detective David Toschi , and cartoonist Robert Graysmith , the narrative travel along their decussate course as they attempt to uncover the identity of the subtle murderer .
Avery ’s slow pin from grace is a warning to Robert ( Jake Gyllenhaal ) about his futurity .
For Downey Jr. ’s undecomposed non - Marvel movie , it ’s a difficult race betweenOppenheimerandZodiac . Still , his character inZodiacgives the worker more to do and research in his public presentation . Both characters are ground on tangible masses , and so equally represent how well he can metamorphose himself into a new person while still establishing the character as something unique . InZodiac , Paul Avery , his reference , is polar in the agonist ’s descent into fixation over the Zodiac killer . Avery ’s slow fall from seemliness is a warning to Robert ( Jake Gyllenhaal ) about his future tense .

Of all the director David Fincher ’s salutary moving-picture show , Zodiacstands out because it successfully subverts the pitfalls and trope of the innovative thriller genre . Additionally , each doer feature in the picture is at their best , allowing Fincher to experimentwith form and audience expectations . IfRobert Downey Jr.takes on succeeding roles outside the MCU , he should consider returning to his root and take on characters in thrillers and serious dramas with an boundary of body fluid and satire .


In the 2014 drama The Judge, Robert Downey Jr. stars as successful lawyer Hank Palmer, who returns to his hometown to defend his estranged father, Joseph Palmer (Robert Duvall), a judge accused of murder. Vera Farmiga, Vincent D’Onofrio, Jeremy Strong, Dax Shepard, Billy Bob Thornton, and Leighton Meester round out the rest of the main cast.


The 1994 crime thriller Natural Born Killers, adapted from an original story by Quentin Tarantino and directed by Oliver Stone, tells the story of two murderers who become celebrities due to their charming personality. Woody Harrelson and Juliette Lewis star as criminals Mickey and Mallory Knox, with Robert Downey Jr. as sleazy journalist Wayne Gale, Tom Sizemore as Detective Jack Scagnetti, and Tommy Lee Jones as Warden Dwight McClusky.


Based on the life of Charlie Chaplin, Chaplin is a biographical comedy-drama starring Robert Downey Jr. as the titular silent-film comedian actor-director. The film follows an aged Charlie Chaplin as he recounts his life to his autobiographer. From his tumultuous childhood to his prolific career, this fictionalized retelling of Chaplin’s life explores authentic details of many of his life experiences.


Oppenheimer is a film by Christopher Nolan, which follows the theoretical physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer, the man behind the atomic bomb. Cillian Murphy will play the titular role, with the story based on the book American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin.



Zodiac is a crime thriller directed by David Fincher, detailing the true story of the unsolved Zodiac Killer case. Centered on journalist Paul Avery, detective David Toschi, and cartoonist Robert Graysmith, the narrative follows their intersecting paths as they attempt to uncover the identity of the elusive murderer.


