Robert Downey Jr On "The Dark Knight": "Fuck DC Comics"

Robert Downey Jr gave a lengthy interview, promoting his hilarious turn in "Tropic Thunder," to moviehole.net. Later in the interview, via a discussion of "iron Man's" success, the topic of "The Dark Knight" came up, and Downey didn't mince words .

Here's what he said:

"Iron Man 2" is a topic of conversation, as he and Favreau are currently collaborating on a story for the much anticipated sequel. "Now Justin Theraux who wrote 'Tropic Thunder', is writing it and Jon and I are working on the story with him. It's pretty great and I think it's going to be cool. I think it's going to appropriately well thought out so that we don't forget what got us the response that we appreciated so much, which is, we didn't say, 'Great, now that this is like this, now we're going to twist it and do this with it.' It's now; I'm not saying we're going to do bits. I think more of the same; it is a very rich feel, because it was a very simple movie, if you ask me. It was an origin story."

Which apparently was not the case with the other big summer movie "The Dark Knight". "My whole thing is that that I saw 'The Dark Knight'. I feel like I'm dumb because I feel like I don't get how many things that are so smart. It's like a Ferrari engine of storytelling and script writing and I'm like, 'That's not my idea of what I want to see in a movie.' I loved 'The Prestige' but didn't understand 'The Dark Knight'. Didn't get it, still can't tell you what happened in the movie, what happened to the character and in the end they need him to be a bad guy. I'm like, 'I get it. This is so high brow and so f--king smart, I clearly need a college education to understand this movie.' You know what? F-ck DC comics. That's all I have to say and that's where I'm really coming from."

Well clearly Downey isn't about to do anything for DC Comics anytime soon. "You know, you're never too old to burn your bridges because I believe I have offended everyone," he says, laughingly. "I think I've got a couple more. 'I'll burn that bridge when I come to it' is my favourite phrase I've ever coined."

Whole interview here

Comments

[situationcritical]

Robert Downey, Jr. eh?

I don't get it. His work in "Chaplin" way back in 1992 was decent.

I'm not really feelin' him in any of his recent roles.

Heath Ledger's work, on the other hand, is pure mastery, especially the Joker in TDK.

[aubrey8]

downey has done so many more great movies than ledger...you could count ledger's movies on 2 fingers.

[maidenofdforest]

may be so that Downey was in this business far longer than Ledger. But what's all his egotist phrases......he should just shine on his own and merit attention on his performance...I'd like to see him in a comics character..it's not the cartoon eh..but the actor?

Say Downey, quit being such a sour grape...hehehe....

[situationcritical]

In Ledger's case, LESS IS MORE.

[peetz]

Really, Iron Man? you found Dark Knight confusing? tell me, anyone, how did Jeff Bridges know how to manipulate that suit so well during the last battle scene? We spent a whole dang montage watching Iron Man figure it out and that was the first time that suit had been powered up. that my friend is a plot hole.

[laragale]

Like, how many more times can you say "like"....

[ReelBusy]

His wife Susan is President of Joel Silver Productions who has an Exclusive film and TV producing deal with Warner Brothers who owns DC Comics.
Awkward moment at home that night this news broke?
Priceless.

[snruB]

Is it Robert Down Syndrome now or something?? I didn't like the Dark Knight all that much either, but it obviously wasn't hard to understand.

[leftbehind2000]

Pity. I figured Downey's rocky journey had to have left him wiser and perhaps a tad more humble. I was obviously wrong.

[wedgie]

I like him.

**

[ShawnMichel]

Agreed.

'The Dark Knight' is way over the top. It's great to see someone speak to that.

[eXcommunicate]

LOL, TDK was "over the top" but Ironman wasn't? Get real! ;)

I liked both movies, btw. Two totally different kinds of "comic book movies."

[marred]

are you guys kidding or what? Iron man stunk on ice! but that won't matter cause there are plenty of morons that love that crap.

[Grulg]

Iron Man> Bats II. Bats II was fine but c'mon. Iron Man has it all over it as far's a movie goes. Bats II was good though.

[ScandalousCandice]

Someone is jealous of the Dark Knight's success. Whatever.

[Arguman]

He sobered up, like 8 years ago. "Finally sobered up", really?

[JaneaneTheAcerbicGoblin]

Downey's a great actor, one of the best in Hollywood, but he shouldn't get too cocky over beating the Dark Knight.

The film was #1 for four weeks, and it was bound to fall off. Pineapple Express almost knocked it off last week. I doubt Tropic Thunder is going to make Dark Knight money (or Pineapple Express, for that matter).

[kathy001]

He didn't get it? He "can't tell you what happened in the movie"? Maybe he didn't actually see the movie. Maybe he slept through it. Sounds like a serious case of jealousy to me. TDK outshone his movie this year. That's life. No need to go making really stupid comments about a film just because it did better than his.

[mulderstruth]

Clearly Downey is drinking some serious "hater aid!" Batman is an iconic hero with even more iconic villains. Ironman just doesn't measure up. And c'mon RDJ, If you can understood "The Prestige" you should surely "get" The Dark Knight.
Anyone who follows the Bat's lore knows that he does evolve into this enigmatic figure who is chased and wanted by the police. He's a vigilante who even Commissioner Gordon can't fully trust to follow the rules.
Now that's he a fugitive, Nolan should bring in "Deadshot" as a co villain in the next movie.
I also like the idea of bringing back Ras Al Ghul and introduce his daughter Talia, played by Angelina Jolie. But that may be too smart for the novice Batman fans and Tony Stark.

[ScandalousCandice]

I am actually surprised Iron Man would do as well as it did. I am glad it turned out well but it wasn't a favorite, by any means. The comic book anyway. I didn't feel like spending 11 bucks on one movie ticket to see it. I will wait for cable. Also Fishsticks Paltrow is horrible actress and I am not interested in seeing her in it.

I am glad he is being honest because it is refreshing to not hear someone blow smoke up a$$es all the time. But to say eff D.C. Comics and to devalue Batman is total jealousy and childish. He is just asking for Iron Man 2 two suck. You got to wait until the movie comes before you get cocky.

[robotfog]

I thought Marvel owns DC now.

[shinybear]

No but Robert just owned DC.