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The world of Marvel has been kind to Robert Downey Jr. With a firm grasp over his career and an awareness of his influence in Hollywood, the Godfather of the Marvel Cinematic Universe takes a step in the right direction as he enters the renaissance era of film and television.OppenheimerandTheSympathizerare glaring examples of his expansive range and commitment to his craft.
![Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man in Avengers: Endgame [Credit: Marvel Studios]](https://i2.wp.com/fwmedia.fandomwire.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/09145826/RDJ-in-Avengers-Endgame.jpeg)
With indie studios like A24 and powerful storytellers like Taylor Sheridan taking control of the entertainment industry, it is no longer a question of if but when Robert Downey Jr. plans to return to the mainstream franchises.
Robert Downey Jr. Calls Back to His Glory Days
When theIron Manstar donned a signature British snark, smoking a pipe and running around old London solving unnatural crimes, it gave hope to all those parched dark academia souls who yearned for moody aesthetic films with noir cinematography, haunting music, and a dark sense of humor.
For all thatBenedict Cumberbatchaccomplished with his BBC series, one cannot avoid falling for the old-world charm of 1890s London viewed through the lens of director Guy Ritchie.
![RDJ and Jude Law as Sherlock and Watson in Sherlock Holmes (2009) [Credit: Warner Bros.]](https://i2.wp.com/fwmedia.fandomwire.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/09145502/RDJ-and-Jude-Law-as-Sherlock-and-Watson.jpeg)
However, the billion-dollar period thriller franchise adds another optimistic twist toRobert Downey Jr.’s decked Hollywood story. It calls on his expertise to oversee the formation of a cinematic universe through his 11-year-long arc at Marvel.
During an October 2020 interview withFast Company, the actor revealed:
At this point, we really feel that there is not a mystery-verse built out anywhere, and [Sir Arthur] Conan Doyle is the definitive voice in that arena, I think, to this day. So to me, why do a third movie if you’re not going to be able to spin off into some real gems of diversity and other times and elements?
In simpler words, what good is an established IP if one is not going to build a cinematic universe around it? AfterSherlock Holmes 3failed to deliver on its 2021 deadline, chances are looking slimmer with each passing year to get the Warner Bros.-owned IP to move ahead with the threequel.
“Sherlock Holmes 3 with RDJ and Johnny Depp as main villain”: Guy Ritchie’s Young Sherlock Holmes Series With Hero Fiennes Tiffin Gets Massive Backlash
But despite the grievances, Robert Downey Jr. still keeps hope alive for the third film’s revival. After the critical and commercial success of the beloved duologySherlock Holmes(2009) andSherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows(2011), a cinematic universe built around the character and all his grand misadventures withJude Law‘s Dr. Watson in tow will surely make for a good franchise comprising feature films and episodic tv series.
As historically and culturally beloved as the character is, reviving theSherlock Holmesfranchise and allowing a cinematic universe to flourish under its banner will serve as a callback to Robert Downey Jr.’s glory days in the MCU.
![Robert Downey Jr. in The Sympathizer [Credit: HBO]](https://i2.wp.com/fwmedia.fandomwire.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/09145712/Robert-Downey-Jr.-in-The-Sympathizer-Credit-HBO-1024x576.jpeg)
Robert Downey Jr. Deserves a Detour
With his reign in Marvel keeping Robert Downey Jr. occupied until 2019, the superhero-famed actor has now taken a positive liking to all the eccentric tastes that Hollywood caters to.Doolittlewas one of those eccentricities that sounds good on paper but fails to transfer to the screen. But after a decade of being stuck with mo-cap dots on his face while tackling imaginary monsters, a little detour from the usual seems justified on Downey’s part.
The 2020 film offered a journey of childlike fascination paired with family-friendly adventure but earned a mere 15% on Rotten Tomatoes, inviting a question of whether Marvel actors are really suited for work outside the realm of superheroes and monsters.
Robert Downey Jr. Put Sherlock Holmes Co-star Jared Harris in a Tough Spot With His Unorthodox Acting Skills
Now, with his Oscar-winning turn inOppenheimerand a glorious, multi-layered role inThe Sympathizer, those debates have been laid to rest for good. One can only hope he delivers on hisSherlock Holmespromise despite the multiple delays on the studio’s part.
Sherlock Holmes(2009) and its sequel are available to stream on Max.
Diya Majumdar
Senior Writer
Articles Published :2410
Diya Majumdar is a Senior Content Writer at FandomWire with over 2000 published articles on the website. Since 2022, she has been working as an entertainment journalist with a special focus on films and pop culture.Among the countless genres and themes of Hollywood, the ones that particularly favor Diya’s tastes include Game of Thrones, DC, and well-aged thrillers and classics.
