Robert Downey Jr: 5 of the Actor's Best Movies Outside the MCU

Liputan6.com, Jakarta - Robert Downey Jr has made a name for himself as one of the most charismatic and talented actors in Hollywood.

Best known for his role as Tony Stark, also known as Iron Man, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), he has captivated millions of fans worldwide with his wit and humor.

However, his acting career extends far beyond the realm of superheroes, with a diverse range of roles showcasing his incredible depth and range.

Before and after the MCU era, Robert Downey Jr. has starred in films spanning various genres.

In the mystery thriller "Zodiac," directed by David Fincher, Robert Downey Jr. plays Paul Avery, a crime reporter for the San Francisco Chronicle.

Avery initially leads the journalistic effort to uncover the identity of the Zodiac serial killer, who terrorized the San Francisco Bay Area in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

The film, based on true events, presents a deep and suspenseful investigation.

Avery's obsession with the case gradually leads to alcoholism and paranoia, significantly impacting his personal and professional life.

Robert Downey Jr. convincingly portrays his character's transformation, showing the dark side of the pursuit of truth.

This outrageous Hollywood satire contains perhaps one of the most daring comedic performances of Downey's career. In the film, he plays Kirk Lazarus, a method actor so dedicated to his work that he undergoes a controversial skin pigmentation procedure to play a Black soldier in a Vietnam War film.

His performance is intentionally absurd, but also deeply layered. Downey plays an actor playing a character while refusing to break out of it, creating a constant comedic spiral. What should be offensive instead becomes a sharp satire on Hollywood egos, extreme method acting, and the film industry itself.

His performance is so powerful that it earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor—a rarity for a comedic role.

One of Robert Downey Jr.'s most iconic roles outside the MCU is as the eccentric detective Sherlock Holmes in Guy Ritchie's "Sherlock Holmes" (2009).

Set in 1890 London, Holmes and his partner, Dr. John Watson (Jude Law), investigate Lord Henry Blackwood, a mystic who appears to have risen from the dead after being hanged for a series of ritualistic murders.

Robert Downey Jr. brings a fresh energy and interpretation to this classic character.

Holmes uses his wit and psychic abilities to uncover Blackwood's seemingly supernatural plot.

The plot aims to expand the British Empire through dark means.

The film also stars Irene Adler (Rachel McAdams), a clever thief and Holmes's romantic interest.

She works for a mysterious employer, Professor Moriarty.

In the biopic "Chaplin" (1992), Robert Downey Jr. plays the title role of Charlie Chaplin, the iconic British comedic actor and filmmaker.

The film covers Chaplin's life from his impoverished childhood in the late 1800s to his acceptance of an honorary Oscar in 1972.

Robert Downey Jr.'s performance in the film was highly acclaimed, earning him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor.

He successfully portrays Chaplin's rise to fame, the creation of his "The Tramp" persona, his complex love life, political beliefs, and the scandals he faced.

The film uses a non-linear narrative, with an aging Chaplin reminiscing about his life to a fictional editor.

"The Judge" (2014) stars Robert Downey Jr. as Henry "Hank" Palmer, a successful but arrogant defense attorney from Chicago.

Hank returns to his small Indiana hometown for his mother's funeral.

There, he is forced to confront his estranged father, Judge Joseph Palmer (Robert Duvall), who is accused of murder.

Their relationship is strained, but Hank takes on the role of defending his father in court.

This leads to a dramatic legal battle. "The Judge" blends intense courtroom drama with themes of family conflict, redemption, and reconciliation.