Robert Downey Jr. in ‘Iron Man’.Photo:Marvel/Paramount/Kobal/Shutterstock

Robert Downey Jr. in ‘Iron Man’.

Marvel/Paramount/Kobal/Shutterstock

Robert Downey Jr.is proud of his performance as Tony Stark in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

TheOppenheimeractor recently chatted withRob Lowefor Thursday’s episode of the latter’sLiterally!podcast, where he opened up about feeling like his badly reviewed 2020 filmDolittle"just didn’t work," especially after his time in the MCU.

“I felt so exposed after being in the cocoon of Marvel where I think I did some of the best work I will ever do, but it went a little bit unnoticed because of the genre,” said Downey Jr., 58.

He went on to say he “did myself a favor, because the rug was pulled so definitively out from underneath me and all the things that I was leaning on as opposed to what my understanding of confidence and security was, boy did they evaporate. And it rendered me teachable.”

“And the crazy thing is they say when the student is ready, the[Christopher] Nolanwill come,” he added of hisOppenheimerdirector, 53. “I mean, the teacher will come. And that’s what happened.”

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Gwyneth Paltrow and Robert Downey Jr. inIron Man 2(2010).Marvel/Paramount/Kobal/Shutterstock

Gwyneth Paltrow, Robert Downey Jr Iron Man 2 - 2010

Downey Jr. has been open about his love for the time he played Tony Stark/Iron Man, beginning with 2008’s MCU genesisIron Manand ending with 2019’sAvengers: Endgame.

In a recent interview withW Magazinefor its Best Performances issue, the actor said there have been only “three times” during his career “where I became completely obsessed with the prep and/or the possibility of playing a role” — one of those three being Tony Stark.

Despite his appreciation for and dedication to the character, Marvel Studios PresidentKevin Feigesaid last month thatDowney Jr.’s chapter as Iron Man is remaining closed.

“We are going to keep that moment and not touch that moment again,” Feige, 50, toldVanity Fairwhen asked if Downey Jr. would return to the role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

“We all worked very hard for many years to get to that, and we would never want to magically undo it in any way," he added.

Robert Downey Jr. at the Golden Globes in Los Angeles on Jan. 7, 2024.CBS

Golden Globes Robert Downey Jr. Supporting Actor Motion PIcture

CBS

Downey Jr.’s acting talents have certainly gained him notable recognition as of late — like on Sunday, when henabbed the supporting movie actortrophy at the 2024Golden Globes, for his role asLewis StraussinOppenheimer.

The actor also shouted out his “primary caregiver,” wifeSusan Downey, whom he said has “literally made an art out of extracting me from my comfort zone. … But she’s easy on the eyes, so whatevs.”

source: people.com