Why has Robert Downey not been in many movies since leaving Marvel? Because he almost ruined his career betting on the wrong film. This video essay explores what went wrong with RDJ's Marvel exit.

He has since bounced back and even won an Oscar. But when he was stepping out of the shoes of Iron Man he made one mistake that could have cost him his career.

However, his credibility was saved thanks to Christopher Nolan. That's why Robert Downey Jr's Oscar Speech included the following acknowledgement, "I needed this job more than it needed me."

So what did RDJ do that made him "need" that job? He tanked his stardom by underestimating the power of the script and the direction. This video essay reveals how RDJ overestimated his stardom and ruined his reputation in the process.

Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro
00:17 - The Two Possibilities
00:41 - Saved by Nolan
01:15 - Another Mistake
02:07 - Conclusion

Disclaimer:
The contents of this video represent the opinion and interpretation of the author and are not meant to report objective facts.

The footage featured in this video is used under the Fair Use doctrine for educational purposes. The Fair Use doctrine permits the limited use of copyrighted material without the need for explicit permission from the copyright owner, particularly for purposes such as criticism, commentary, teaching, or research. This video is intended solely for educational purposes and does not seek to infringe upon the rights of the copyright holders.