Robert Downey Jr.’s turn at Marvel Cinematic Universe may have come to an end but his presence still holds a value much greater than most Hollywood A-listers of this generation. The actor’s ability to bring himself out of the darkness of the cave – metaphorically (in reality) and quite literally (in his MCU origin film) – is a feat more impossible than what even Marvel itself is capable of.
RDJ’s journey from the hellish paths of addiction and substance abuse to a stardom that most can only dream of achieving is a tale not merely of inspiration but one that instills feelings of awe, wonder, inhumane will, and bravery – almost exactly like his comic counterpart, Tony Stark.
Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man
Also read: Marvel’s Iron Man Robert Downey Jr.’s $435 Million Worth MCU Commitment Robbed Him of Collaborating With Christopher Nolan
Robert Downey Jr.’s Gum Goes Up For Auction in Hollywood
During Iron Man director Jon Favreau‘s Hollywood Walk of Fame event, Robert Downey Jr. stuck his gum on the star presented to Favreau as a joke. When the crowd cleared up, the gum, picked up by a fan, was later put up on auction for an asinine $40,000. The bidding was completed on April 1, 2023. It has not yet been disclosed to whom the gum was finally sold. The eBay listing of the item reads:
“Hello! I happened to be in the area during the event which had famous actor and producer Jon Favreau being added to the Hollywood Walk of Fame. During the event, Robert Downey Jr. himself put his gum on the Star and presumably left it there, which I was able to snag. I’m selling it in the same condition I got it in and it can be tested for his DNA.”
Jon Favreau and RDJ on the Iron Man set
Also read: Marvel Let Robert Downey Jr. Keep a Rare $9M Acura NSX Iron Man Supercar from $1.5B Avengers Movie
Robert Downey Jr.’s inherent stardom is not only indelible but his contributions to the MCU has made the franchise what it is today. As such, when a simple piece of discardable object that has been in proximity to the Iron Man actor presents itself in front of an idle audience, it becomes almost predictable that some fan would pick it up and sell it like a collector’s item.
Robert Downey Jr. Becomes Hollywood’s Tour de Force
The Marvel Cinematic Universe’s godfather, founder, guardian, and gatekeeper – the irrevocable Downey – has time and again gone up against the galaxy’s most feared, brought together the Avengers – on the screen as well as off – and stood up against the tyranny that killed half the universe. His actions and sacrifice that can be mapped over the course of 11 years held an entire fandom together and his character’s vision and ideology represented everything that Marvel stands for today.
Robert Downey Jr.
Also read: Robert Downey Jr. Refused to Play Daniel Craig’s Role in $163M Movie Directed by Iron Man Director That Could’ve Blown Away His Career
In his inimitable legacy lives and thrives all that has happened and all that is yet to come. But in his absence, the Multiverse Saga fails to impress the MCU audience of today. As Marvel fatigue sets in across the otherwise devoted fandom, elsewhere Robert Downey Jr. makes progress in his career with niche projects like The Sympathizer with esteemed director Park Chan-wook and Oppenheimer with Christopher Nolan.
Iron Man is available for streaming on Disney+ and Oppenheimer premieres on 21 July 2023.
Source: New York Post
