In-Depth Interview With Robert Downey Jr. Says The "Better" The Script "The More Annoying It Is"

In-Depth Interview With Robert Downey Jr. Says The "Better" The Script "The More Annoying It Is"

Robert Downey Jr. takes you inside his process in this in-depth interview with Off Camera. A must read/watch, said Downey on the interview, "...I think forums like this – when they’re not for selling soap, when there really is an interview – are vital..."

By MarkJulian - May 10, 2013 08:05 AM EST
Filed Under: Iron Man
Source: Off Camera






Robert Downey Jr. is really forthcoming in the interview above and touches on his approach to the acting profession and how his belief in adlibbing affects his relationship with different types of directors. Truly a must watch, but for those without the time to sit through the hour-long video I've highlighted some of the pertinent CBM topics.

Touching on his role selection process, Robert answers whether consumer desire to repeatedly see him in roles similar to Iron Man factors into his decision making.

Downey: "They don’t, or I’m not listening to that consumer all the time. And I don’t mean to be so rigid and professorial about the whole thing, but I also just tend to think about what kind of story it is. I know what my strong suit is, and I also know the areas in which I want to make inroads, and it’s unlikely that I’ll make inroads in a situation where I don’t really know the people or where I’m not super excited about the theme of the movie.
So it’s kind of a combination. I tend to think about things very objectively; it’s just marketplace. I don’t like making movies that nobody’s going to see or care about, and I also don’t want to try to do just “important” movies, because every movie’s important. For instance, the thing I’m doing next is a courtroom drama of sorts. But it’s a lot more than that, and the only reason I’m doing this movie is because my wife is producing it. She’s passionate about it. It’s a fantastic script, and it is a bit of a departure for both of us. And now that we’re doing this courtroom drama (even though it really isn’t one), we’re getting all these courtroom drama scripts, like that’s what we want to do for the next 12 years. And I’m like, “Well strangely, no.”


Iron Man 1 png


On the projects that he actually does say yes to, what's the next step for Robert and how does he handle the script?

"Well, it’s changed. Since working with Jon Favreau on the first Iron Man, I have practically zero regard for what is physically printed on the pages when I go to work. And sometimes, the better the writing is, the more annoying it is, because it’s more likely I will not be able to innovate within it. So it’s a problem. It’s gotten to the point where director Todd Phillips, when we were finished shooting Due Date, said to me, “I figured it out. You hate paper.” (laughs)
I think some of that is my own hubris and ego. I come from a family of writers and I like writing, and I think I at least know how to write for myself, and often times if I take a stab at a scene, all the characters can come off a little better. So what’s my process? Over the last five or seven years, it’s been kind of like drunken monkey. Now I keep the attention on the issue at hand: the issue is bringing the best me I can bring to the set every day. With what we’re doing, you can just pick anything from the Chinese menu, and anything’s really fine as long as I’m in good shape, and it feels good, and if the blocking doesn’t feel like we’re doing a teleplay and all that stuff."


Iron Man 2 png


Donwey admits that he'll direct a film of his own one day.

"I guess so. I have one in mind, and of course I picked the one movie in our lineup that’s a big puzzle; no one knows how we would do it. But I like it in the same way girls like it when you hand them a necklace that’s so knotted up you think you should just throw it away, and then they untangle it, you know? I like that challenge and maybe that’s what I’ll do. Maybe not. Maybe it’ll just lead me to something else, but right now I’m pretty happy just being in front of the camera and taking it easy. I’m not a kid anymore, but I have kids. Directing is a two-year commitment, you know?

The Avengers Iron Man png


On the Marvel Universe.

"In the Marvel universe particularly, it’s like we’re always wondering what we would want in this moment or at this development of the franchise. We’ve created an expectation. If we’re sitting in the audience, we always want something that we didn’t expect after the credits are done – an Easter egg, or whatever you call that thing. A postscript. People love that. So certain aspects of replicating success become pretty identifiable – it goes here every time, and it’s kind of like this, but it shouldn’t be exactly like it’s been before.

Iron Man 3 png


RELATED CONTENT:
Movie Review: IRON MAN 3 - A Stark Failure
Gwyneth Paltrow And Robert Downey Jr. Talk IRON MAN 3 At Munich, Germany Press Conference
Watch Robert Downey Jr. In Seoul, South Korea To Promote IRON MAN 3, Does Gangnam Style Dance

Based on Warren Ellis' Extremis storyline and following the box-office shattering events of Marvel's The Avengers, Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) has become the target of global terrorist The Mandarin (Sir Ben Kingsley) who has secretly been the mastermind behind most of the tragedies in Tony's life. Isolated from his fellow Avengers, Tony will have to devise his most advanced armor yet if he hopes to save the woman he loves, Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow). Standing beside Tony as he takes on Mandarin's villainous allies and Ten Rings subordinates will be War Machine James Rhodey (Don Cheadle) who was conspicuously absent during the Chituari invasion in New York. Based on a screenplay by Shane Black (Lethal Weapon, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang) and Drew Pearce (Godzilla, Sherlock Holmes 3).


Running Time: 2 hr 10 min (confirmed)
Release Date: May 3, 2013
MPAA Rating: PG-13 (confirmed)
Starring: Robert Downey Jr, Ben Kingsley, Gwyneth Paltrow, Rebecca Hall, Don Cheadle, William Sadler, James Badge Dale, Yvonne Zima, Stephanie Szostak
Directed by: Shane Black
Written by: Shane Black (screenplay) Drew Pearce (screenplay) Stan Lee (comic book) Jack Kirby (comic book) Don Heck (comic book) Larry Lieber(comic book)


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superotherside
superotherside - 5/10/2013, 8:14 AM
Can't wait to see what he does with his upcoming film Perry Mason. I've seen the old show and really liked it. Wish I could get my hands on some of the books.
JoeMomma29
JoeMomma29 - 5/10/2013, 8:32 AM
@DioFoRio

I hate to say it but with RDJ Ironman would not be a big success as it is today. So hats off RDJ we all love you!
DefcoN
DefcoN - 5/10/2013, 8:33 AM
Pure Robert.
Rowsdower
Rowsdower - 5/10/2013, 8:40 AM
Back to School was the shit.

Awesome Oingo Boingo cameo too.
Bodwulf
Bodwulf - 5/10/2013, 8:41 AM
Mark Ruffalo is a damn fine interviewer!
datNAMEtho
datNAMEtho - 5/10/2013, 8:42 AM
You never get to actually like Tony Stark, he's an asshole with an enormous ego. That's why Iron Man will never be the greatest superhero out there. It's always about humility, like Clark Kent, Bruce Wayne and Peter Parker. You can actually like those characters.
skidz
skidz - 5/10/2013, 8:45 AM
@FreakingIngelligentRobertGriffin: Everyone has a differing opinion about what should or shouldn't happen. If he tried to please everyone he'd make himself absolutely miserable.
skidz
skidz - 5/10/2013, 8:47 AM
@Nomis1800: He's kind of outgrown that image. Have you even seen Iron Man 3? The only time he was a dick in the movie was in the flashbacks.
Brainiac13
Brainiac13 - 5/10/2013, 8:50 AM
Good Actor.....Chaplin was brill
rocky
rocky - 5/10/2013, 8:58 AM
I love RDJ as IronMan....

...I would not want to ever direct him. He sounds pretty difficult to me

Still he kills as IM and he was the best thing in Tropic Thunder, one of my favorite comedies of all time
BackwardGalaxy
BackwardGalaxy - 5/10/2013, 9:01 AM
RDJ has the intangible "it". Call it charisma, charm, whatever you want. I don't consider it all to be natural. I'm sure he's spent many years refining his craft. But the man has a very special talent for entertaining and storytelling. He captivates. But I wonder if it's easy or difficult for his friends and family to tell when he's being genuine and when he's "on", if you know what I mean.
Gmoney84
Gmoney84 - 5/10/2013, 9:01 AM
You know, we always read and see this RDJ that's apart of Hollywood and press tour for some movie. If I could pick any one actor to just sit down and talk with like in a normal "grabbin' a beer" type convo I'd pick him. I'd love to find out how real this dude is in a real world environment. I'd love to hear his political views, his views on religion, on life, marriage, kids. He is an acting force no doubt but you often wonder about people and how full of shit they are and how in love with themselves they seem. I want to believe he's a regular dude who just makes awesome movies...but oh well.
sinchsw
sinchsw - 5/10/2013, 9:11 AM
He is absolutely right about ad libbing scripts. Often times it is best to have just an outline and write a full script through rehearsals with talented professional actors. Their dialogue will be real with traces of themselves so it can come off naturally on the screen. Then you must also allow them to ad lib in the moment while filming. Often times these end up being the most successful lines and scenes of a movie. Case depending of course.

The script is not god.
superotherside
superotherside - 5/10/2013, 9:15 AM
Nomis Yep, it is still in the script form last I've heard. Not sure if he is actually referring to Perry Mason in the video or his more recent upcoming project The Judge. Probably the latter. Hope he hasn't bowed out of doing Perry Mason. I think it could be fantastic with him as the lead.
phoenixforce9
phoenixforce9 - 5/10/2013, 9:21 AM
First saw him in Heart and Souls and I remember saying to myself that on paper the movie is really cheesy but he saves it and holy crap, how about Tropic Thunder! You really forget its him!

MC2
MC2 - 5/10/2013, 9:22 AM
I thought RD Jr was the best thing about Iron Man 3. Read my review if you like at www.thepeoplesmic.blogspot.com
thunderforce
thunderforce - 5/10/2013, 9:23 AM
The guy is a great IM but I would to tell the truth I would still go and see all the Marvel MCU movies even if a monkey was playing IM and a frog was playing Thor lol .
thatcoldblackcloud
thatcoldblackcloud - 5/10/2013, 9:24 AM
RD Jr is and will always be THE most perfect Tony Stark ever. The man completely redefined the character. So much so, that the comics are now following his interpretation of Tony.

Love the guy!
NinjaBaby
NinjaBaby - 5/10/2013, 9:48 AM
Really did forget RDJ was Kirk Lazarus
valeriesghost
valeriesghost - 5/10/2013, 9:59 AM
@skidz, false. He was a dick to every person in the movie. Even Pepper.

"I got you"

"I got you first"
NovaCorpsFan
NovaCorpsFan - 5/10/2013, 10:15 AM
Best RDJ scene ever right there. ^
RadicalDuck
RadicalDuck - 5/10/2013, 10:39 AM
"I know what my strong suit is..."

Heh. He made a funny xD

Nah but seriously though, you can dislike Iron Man for whatever reason, but you can't deny that RDJ has redefined the character and the way people see him. And you've gotta admire RDJ in some respects, I mean just over ten years ago he was in prison, and had pretty much lost it all. Now he's one of the biggest stars in Hollywood.
JoseTheKingOfTheNorth
JoseTheKingOfTheNorth - 5/10/2013, 1:27 PM
RDJ for President... After Nolan retires(of course).
breakUbatman
breakUbatman - 5/10/2013, 1:53 PM
Downey is great as Iron Man or anyone for that matter, his Tony Stark is top notch but is way different from the comic. Which is what brought Iron Man to the A-list so I don't think the Iron Man 3 issues people have really have to do with deviations from source.

Personally I've had a problem with Marvel's insistence on making Tony selfish in every film when the whole point of Iron Man (1) was the change of heart. I would have loved to see some thematic follow through in IM3 - especially "proof that Tony Stark has a heart".



ricko8687
ricko8687 - 5/10/2013, 1:58 PM
Jon Hamm would be more of the comic book version of tony stark but no one could ever beat RDJs take on him
JohnTom88
JohnTom88 - 5/10/2013, 5:01 PM
Nomis1800 you're such a dumdum. First of all, Tony Stark is a fictional person. Second of all, he's actually the most realistic of all superhero characters. You think of all the groundbreaking personalities like Steve Jobs, Rockefeller or Bill Gates. They got Ego, man. They got vision of what to do next. They got drive to perfection. They want to succeed. It's what all Tony is about and loser like you will never get.

Tony Stark - realistic, real world genius that adult "get"

Clark Kent, Bruce Wayne, Peter Parker - idealistic made for children characters
nach1wan
nach1wan - 5/10/2013, 7:33 PM
this guy's the man, a pleasure watching the full interview
hartley07
hartley07 - 5/10/2013, 8:12 PM
-SPOILER- ironman 3 is bad.
ahhmynuts
ahhmynuts - 5/10/2013, 8:42 PM
@pharaoh

they borrowed the extremis idea from that book. even if its loosely based(and i dont think its 'loose' at all) you gotta give credit...

phoenixforce9
phoenixforce9 - 5/10/2013, 9:05 PM
@Pharaoh don't you think at this point... 6 movies in that you out to realize that the MCU is not the same as the comic books?
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