Robert Downey Jr. recently raised headlines when he ended his award run for Oppenheimer with an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. It looks like the Iron Man actor whose acting credibility is often ignored due to his MCU affinity has transformed his script choices. His latest appearance in The Sympathizer trailer proves it.
The Sympathizer is an upcoming limited series featuring Robert Downey Jr. alongside Sandra Oh and Hoa Xuande, made by the renowned South Korean filmmaker, Park Chan-wook. The 60-year-old is known for making critically acclaimed films like Oldboy, Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance, and The Handmaiden. It has convinced the fans that RDJ will have another award season to his name.
The Sympathizer trailer promises another Robert Downey Jr. acting masterclass
Robert Downey Jr. looked entirely different when he portrayed Lewis Strauss in Oppenheimer. It was not only about the physical appearance but the Marvel legend also embodied the antagonist from within and took home all the major awards for his performance. Now the trailer for Max’s The Sympathizer cements the fact that Downey Jr. has completely left behind his Tony Stark image.
The Sympathizer is based on Viet Thanh Nguyen’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name. The limited series is a dark comedic political thriller featuring a half-French, half-Vietnamese communist spy during the concluding days of the Vietnam War. The series will chronicle his struggle as he is exiled to Los Angeles and can’t get rid of his spying days.
A man of two faces.#TheSympathizer, the new HBO Original Limited Series from Park Chan-wook and Robert Downey Jr. and based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Viet Thanh Nguyen, premieres April 14 on Max. pic.twitter.com/Ye9LIx0wKv
— Max (@StreamOnMax) March 28, 2024
Robert Downey Jr., who surprised the fans with his Oppenheimer look will surprise even more by sporting numerous roles in the upcoming series. The 58-year-old will flaunt a chameleon-esque trait by playing several antagonists in the series. The trailer made it evident by showing Downey Jr. in several looks.
Be it Chaplin, Tropic Thunder, or the much-talked-about Oppenheimer, Downey Jr. has time and again proved that he is much more than the Tony Stark persona. Although Tony Stark earned him international stardom, such unique roles have shown the actor’s true potential. The fans are convinced that this series will present the Avengers star with another successful award season.
Is there another award-season sweep on the horizon for Robert Downey Jr.?
Following his BAFTA win for Oppenheimer, Robert Downey Jr. admitted in his speech that the Iron Man role affected his reputation (via Variety). Although it might be debatable to most fans who primarily fell in love with the MCU because of him, Nolan indeed helped him resurrect his “dwindling credibility”.
It looks like the actor is on a serious journey to shred his MCU popularity and pick serious, deeper, and critic-friendly projects. This is evident in his extremely impressive transformation in the upcoming Max series. The fans have taken over the internet to claim that the Sherlock Holmes actor is up for another award-season sweep. Here are some reactions by the fans:
Looks incredible. RDJ is coming for that Emmy next!
— El Jefe (@FilmmakerJeff) March 29, 2024
Looks solid 🔥
— Vinny Talks’ ERA (@vinnytalks_) March 28, 2024
Robert Downey Jr. is getting old, but his acting is still flawless!
— Dr. AffanBoss 👨🏿⚕️🀄 (@affanshettima) March 28, 2024
Park Chan-wook & RDJ? Yeah we IN! https://t.co/hVuzXOS8dy
— Fizan Hamid (@i_countsixshots) March 28, 2024
Bring it on
— LEO CULU MOH MIAMI𓃵 🌝❤️ (@fawogyimiiko2) March 28, 2024
While the cast and the filmmaker working behind the series were enough to attract the audiences, A24’s involvement in the project also raised the anticipation. Besides acting, Robert Downey Jr. will also head The Sympathizer as one of the executive producers. If he manages to give a distinct personality to all the characters he is playing in the series, he may pull off another Oppenheimer with this one.
The Sympathizer will start streaming on Max on April 14, 2024, and a new episode will be released every week.