A couple of weeks ago, Quentin Tarantino joined the list of prestigious directors who make controversial statements about the Marvel Cinematic Universe. On this occasion, the filmmaker behind Violent times (1994) and once upon a time in hollywood (2019) stated that the actresses and actors of that superhero franchise are not movie stars as such, since the real stars are the characters they play. And now, among the voices that have spoken out against Tarantino’s sentence, is that of Robert Downey Jr., a actor who has certainly been around since the very beginning of the MCU.
In a recent interview with Deadlinethe interpreter of Iron Man in the Marvel Studios films shared his perspective on the superhero genre being “a bit used as a punching bag” (in the words of the interviewer) by Tarantino, Martin Scorsese, James Cameron and most illustrious filmmakers.
“I think our views on these issues say a lot about us,” Robert Downey Jr. said. “I think we are in a time and a place that I have inadvertently contributed to; in which intellectual property has prevailed over principles and personality. But it is a double-edged sword. A work of intellectual property is only as good as the human talent that represents it, and you can have a great work of intellectual property even if it comes from a national treasure author or writer-director. But if you don’t get the right kind of artist to play that role, you’ll never know how good it could have been.«.
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Downey Jr., who has been a two-time Oscar nominee for the films Chaplin (1992) and A movie War (2008), also opined that «creatively it is a waste of time to be at war with ourselves». In your opinion, there is blockbusters It paves the way for more modest productions, with an authorial tinge and worthy of competing in festivals, to position themselves.
«I think we are in a time where everything is much more fragmented and in which there is a kind of bifurcation. Throwing stones one way or the other… And I have had my reactions in the past when people said things that I felt discredited my integrity. I say, ‘You know what? Let’s get over it. We are all a community. There is room for everything’”, emphasized the veteran actor. «Thank God for Top Gun: Maverick Y Avatar: The Path of Water. That’s all I have to say. We need big to make room for films like Armageddon Time«.
Working under the direction of Christopher Nolan on oppenheimer, Downey Jr. said he had lived an “exceptionally transformative experience.” And currently, in full filming of The Sympathizer —future television series where the actor plays several secondary characters—, all he asks is that the detractors decide to give themselves fully “to their own rebirth.”
“For me, playing five different roles [en The Sympathizer] It is already a transformative experience. So, before we slander each other, I’d like to tell you guys to undergo your own rebirth and see if that doesn’t change your mind a bit,” he added. «Reinvent yourself before you decide that someone else doesn’t know what they’re doing or that something prevents you from doing your best, or that something is better than something else«.
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And finally, the star of the saga Avengers He alluded to the fact that the film industry is going through a dizzying time, with an immense number and variety of productions and exhibition platforms. So the best thing for everyone in Hollywood, in his opinion, is to “accept it and be grateful.”
“We are in a time when [Jon] Favreau said it best: We used to try to make waves on a lake, and now we’re just trying to get people’s attention while things are rushing by in a stream. I think that will change again, but this is where we are. Accepting it and being grateful for being able to participate is the right starting point.“, concluded the actor.
After Quentin Tarantino’s comments about Marvel, there were other actors involved in the multi-billion dollar franchise who, in addition to Robert Downey Jr., came to his defense. They were simu liu (shang chi) Y Samuel L Jackson (secret invasion).
Antonio G. Spindola I have very bad memory. Out of solidarity with my memories, I choose to lose myself too. Preferably in a movie theater.