If the Russo Brothers, who directed “Avengers: Endgame” have anything to say, it is that Robert Downey Jr. should get an Oscar.
The brothers believe that the very successful Marvel franchise, 22 movies in total and counting, all comes down to “Iron Man” played by Downey.
Despite the “Iron Man” films kicking off the $20 Billion Marvel Cinematic Universe empire, Downey has not received a single major-award nom for his work at Tony Stark.
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Both Joe and Anthony Russo believe that the Academy should recognize Downey and get over their lack of superhero nominated movies.
His cumulative body of work from these movies is staggering,” said Joe to the Washington Post. “If you look at the work over just even the last four [Marvel] films he’s done, it’s phenomenal. . . . He deserves an Oscar perhaps more than anyone in the last 40 years because of the way that he has motivated popular culture.”
“He has a very involved process, a more involved process than any actor we’ve ever worked with,” Anthony added. “He digs deeper, and he works harder than anybody. . . . Downey really just goes the extra mile for everything — it’s like everything he’s doing is something to his core.”
A total of 17-Oscar-winning actors have appeared in Marvel movies, but none have won for their Marvel work.
The brothers also praised Scarlett Johansson as “incredibly nuanced” and Chris Hemsworth.
“Very few folks as good-looking as Hemsworth” can give layered comedic performances, said Joe, “because it’s hard when you’re really good-looking to play vulnerable. He can merge comedy and pathos.”
