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Robert Downey Jr. took on the role of Lewis Strauss in Christopher Nolan’s biographical thriller film,Oppenheimer. Lewis Strauss, the chairman of the US Atomic Energy Commission in the 1950s, played a pivotal role in the development of Nuclear Weapons.Oppenheimeris adapted from the book American Prometheus, exploring J. Robert Oppenheimer’s involvement in the Manhattan Project and his subsequent downfall following a 1954 security hearing.
The casting process was kept very discreet and actors including Downey Jr. initially didn’t know which character they would play. TheTropic Thunderactor was first handed the script printed in black on red paper during his visit to Nolan’s house. TheIron Manactor had a few interesting things to share about theInterstellardirector.
Also Read:“There’s a cool simile”: Robert Downey Jr Was Forced to Act Like His US Army Veteran Grandfather for Diabolical ‘Oppenheimer’ Performance as Lewis Strauss
Robert Downey Jr. Loved Working With Christopher Nolan
Earlier,Robert Downey Jr.pickedOppenheimeras the best film he has ever worked on, placing it above his MCU projects. TheSherlock Holmesactor admitted that he initially felt intimidated byChristopher Nolan. He compared theInceptiondirector to legendary directors David Lean and Hitchcock, stating that there was a certain ‘mystique’ with Nolan.
Downey Jr. further explained thatCillian Murphy, after working on five projects with Nolan, didn’t experience the same intimidation. However, Downey Jr. andEmily Bluntdid feel it. But later, as they started working together,The Soloistactor came to see Nolan as one of the least judgmental directors he has ever worked with.
The Avengersactor realized that for Nolan, it wasn’t about being in control, but rather achieving precision in every shot of the film. This revelation shifted theDolittleactor’s perspective about the director.
Also Read:“I’d rather go a little more Enter the Dragon style”: Robert Downey Jr. Based His Iron Man On Bruce Lee After Rejecting Daniel Craig’s Approach To James Bond
Robert Downey Jr. Described Christopher Nolan As A ‘Really Good Parent’
Oppenheimer presented a completely new experience for Robert Downey Jr. The Judge actor attempted a lot of improv as any actor would while filming, but Nolan was all for precision and instructed theDue Dateactor to stick to the script. TheKiss Kiss Bang Bangactor shared that he couldn’t even get upset with theDark Knightdirector because Nolan aimed to draw out the best from his actors. TheChaplinactor told IMDB:
“He [Nolan] did say, ‘Robert, you seem to be doing a lot of improv out there. I– if you get scared out there, just float gently back to the text.’ And it was like– it wasn’t a Jedi mind trick. He wasn’t guffing me. Again, he’s kind of like a dad that you can’t have a beef with ’cause he’s actually just a really good parent. That was the most disconcerting of all the energies ’cause I’d had no previous experience with that.”
Also Read:“This is the worst British accent I’ve ever heard”: Robert Downey Jr. Won’t Do Rom-coms after Kate Winslet Humiliated Him in $205M Movie Audition
Oppenheimerhit theatres on June 18, 2025, and has grossed $668M so far against a budget of $100M. It is a critical and commercial success, becoming the seventh highest-grossing film of 2023, with critics praising the cast performances, including Downey Jr.’s, as well as Nolan’s screenplay.
Source:IMDB – YouTube
Hashim Asraff
Senior Writer
Articles Published :3019
Hashim Asraff is a Senior Entertainment Writer at FandomWire, with over 2,800 articles published on celebrity culture, comic book movies, and major TV franchises. With a background in Sociology and a keen interest in pop culture, Hashim brings a unique lens to breaking news stories, character deep-dives, film rankings, and fan-driven perspectives.His coverage often includes the MCU, DCU, hit network shows, and celebrity profiles, giving readers a rich blend of entertainment and analysis. A longtime fan of crime and investigative series, Hashim has watched thousands of episodes of NCIS, Criminal Minds, Law & Order: SVU, Bones, Blue Bloods, and The RookieA passionate storyteller and wordsmith, Hashim has also worked as a ghostwriter and managed multiple social media handles. He brought his writing expertise to FandomWire to also pursue his lifelong love for cinema and television.
