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Of all the characters he has embodied to date, the one from the Marvel Cinematic Universe or simply the one Robert Downey Jr. is best known for is quite literally the very character his name is used synonymously with. And yet, it is also the very character that he has seemingly trashed recently. For the record, yes, we areindeedtalking about Tony Stark, aka Iron Man.
At the recently held British Academy of Film and Television Arts awards or simply BAFTAs, Robert Downey Jr. was one of the few honored with the accolade for his outstanding performance in a supporting role inOppenheimer. But while fans were happy about his win, RDJ ruined it all by criticizing his fan-favorite MCU character in his acceptance speech for“dwindling”his“credibility.”
“A last ditch effort to resurrect my dwindling credibility”: Robert Downey Jr. Thanks Christopher Nolan for Reviving His ‘Stale’ Career After Playing Iron Man for 12 Years
Robert Downey Jr. Trashed Iron Man After Winning His Life’s Second BAFTA
Robert Downey Jr.has been nominated for the BAFTA awards thrice — once for Best Actor in a Leading Role and twice for Best Actor in a Supporting Role; and out of those three nods, one was for his most recent star-studded performance as Lewis Strauss inOppenheimer.
However, while fans were celebrating this second BAFTA win of his, the renownedIron Manstar went ahead to trash hisbeloved character in the MCU, Tony Stark aka Iron Man instead, hinting that the character dwindled his“credibility.”
While accepting the accolade at the recently held 77th British Academy Film Awards 2024, he said in his acceptance speech (viaBAFTA):
“I played a guy named Tony in the MCU for about 12 years. And then recently THAT DUDE [pointing at Christopher Nolan] Chris Nolan suggested I attempt an understated approach as a last-ditch effort to perhaps resurrect my dwindling credibility.”
3 Mistakes Robert Downey Jr Has Made in His Acting Career
While it is indeed heartbreaking to see Downey Jr. criticize the very character that defined him for more than a decade (12 years, to be more precise) because he is a fictional superhero. Butthis isn’t the first time the actor let his feelings known about the same.
Previously, while attending this year’s recently held Santa Barbara International Film Festival 2024, he said (via@THR | X):
“It was so great to be associated with someone like that for a while…and then it wore off.”
Even though it is obvious that Robert Downey Jr. only said that as a sarcastic approach to his equally sarcastic character, this doesn’t make it any less upsetting for one too many reasons, including how this pretty muchindicates that he just might never reprise his iconic role.
Robert Downey Jr Says Christopher Nolan Helped Him From a Difficult Period of His Acting Career After Leaving MCU
Upset Fans Argue Iron Man Never Dwindled Robert Downey Jr.’s Credibility
If considering the hate and disapproval of late surrounding the superhero genre by many of the industry’s critics and filmmakers, Robert Downey Jr.’s statement on his“dwindling credibility”because of Iron Man, is rather understandable.
However, upset fans aren’t willing to let one of their favorite actors of all time continue to believe in the same, and are thus arguing that Tony Stark aka Iron Man has never, andwill never, dwindle the legendary actor’s credibility.
Here’s what they’re saying (viaX):
Damn he’s never coming back to the MCU
— Josh Sweat Truther (@EaglesBurna)June 12, 2025
trust me rdj you credibility was never dwindling
— poppy 🦋 (@imnotpopbase)June 07, 2025
This is objectively meaner than anything Scorsese has saidhttps://t.co/MRX3SNsvob
— The Vegapunk of Hyenas (@Yeenie_Mcbeenie)August 04, 2025
RDJ is incredible and deserves so much more credit for his performances as Tony Stark.
I can count handfuls of scenes that he flawlessly executed! 🫶
— 🖇🅽🆃🅷🖤🅽🆈 (@MasterOfAnthony)July 21, 2025
Dwindling credibility?? RDJ you are and always will be incredible
— CinemaBums (@Cinema_Bums)July 17, 2025
https://twitter.com/DibbleDunk/status/1759290167527952471?s=20
https://twitter.com/RisenLN_2/status/1759286706413695447?s=20
Well, for one thing, even though Robert Downey Jr. did,indeed, “trash” his beloved character Tony Stark, he still did it in the most sarcastic and iconically Stark-y way, so we guess even Tony Stark wouldn’t be offended by it!
Mahin Sultan
Senior Writer
Articles Published :2478
Mahin Sultan is a Senior Writer at FandomWire, where she brings a fresh perspective to entertainment news. Having been in the field for over 3 years now, she has already written more than 2,000 articles across a variety of niches, from entertainment to health and fashion. This diverse experience has allowed her to quickly build a solid foundation and a deep understanding of the industry.
