Downey Jr on Doomsday’s action
The cinematic universe of the Avengers continues to evolve, and the recent reflections from creators Robert Downey Jr. and Joe Russo offer a fascinating look into how they plan to ensure the next chapter doesn’t just succeed, but truly captivates.
Sitting down with CBR, the duo delved into the ambitious trajectory of Avengers: Infinity War and how they intend to make Avengers: Doomsday the monumental event the franchise deserves. While online reactions to the new trailers have been a mix, the anticipation is undeniable, with presales numbers four months out even surpassing recent hits like Spider-Man: Brand New Day.
R Downey shared his philosophy, suggesting that the path forward involves a degree of creative risk and experimentation. He admitted that achieving the right direction sometimes requires stepping outside established boundaries:
“I try to feel like I’m in the writing room, but eventually there are so many big shoes to step into that I just have to go, ‘What hasn’t been done as well as it could be done yet?’ So, we’re always looking for that opportunity. And a lot of it has been some experimentation, and we’ve had our moments of, ‘Let’s shift here.’ But we landed in a place that I think will more than suffice.”
For Downey, the success of the films hinges less on the execution of a single character and more on the overall structure of the narrative and the ensemble of supporting characters. This emphasis on construction is the key to avoiding the pitfall of disappointing audiences after massive events.
“It’s not even about how I executed it. It’s about the way it’s been structured and the other characters. There’s something going on in ‘Doomsday’ and forward that is literally the only antidote to, ‘How do you not have these films be a letdown after an “Infinity War” and “Endgame”? And boy, have we laboured long and hard to bring that.”
Joe Russo acknowledged that making films with such escalating stakes has always presented a challenge. Their solution, they noted, has been prioritizing emotional complexity above sheer scale. This approach, they argue, enriches the experience for the audience and delivers a more mature storytelling experience.
“These have obviously been harder than the other ones for that reason, right? As the stakes keep going up. But emotional complexity is always the answer. You bring emotional complexity to anything, and it enriches it and makes it a fuller experience for the audience. It surprises you. There are a lot of surprises in this, and I think it’s the most emotionally complex of all of them. In a lot of ways, the most mature of all of them. We’ve been very fortunate enough, as collaborators, Robert and I, to be able to do this over and over again. And knock on wood, we can do it two more times.”
Adding a fun detail to the production process, Downey confirmed that he was immediately affected by hearing Alan Silvestri’s Doctor Doom theme during production, which influenced his portrayal of the character, giving him a unique point of view.
Avengers: Doomsday is set to hit cinemas on December 18th. Meanwhile, there is news regarding related content, including a special re-release. Avengers: Endgame Encore, the 2019 film, will be re-released and reportedly clock in at 185 minutes, a notable extension that is expected to establish a crucial connection to the upcoming Doomsday narrative.
While the franchise gears up for its next major event, Avengers: Secret Wars is currently on hiatus until the end of September, leaving the spotlight firmly on the future of the cinematic universe.
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