Robert Downey Jr. on ‘Oppenheimer’ Role: “Picking Fly Sh*t Out of Pepper”

Robert Downey Jr. recently shed light on the contrasting experiences of preparing for his roles in Christopher Nolan’s ‘Oppenheimer’ and the new HBO series ‘The Sympathizer.’

Having clinched his first Oscar for ‘Best Supporting Actor’ in March for his portrayal of Lewis Strauss in ‘Oppenheimer,’ Downey Jr. reflected on the technical precision required for the role. He likened the process to “picking fly sh*t out of pepper,” indicating the meticulous attention to detail demanded by the character.

Also Read: Robert Downey Jr. and Wife Susan Enjoy Date Night at ‘The Sympathizer’ Premiere

Speaking to Esquire, Downey Jr. elaborated on his approach to portraying Strauss, acknowledging the challenges and the liberating aspect of navigating within implicit limitations. He anticipated the role as a departure from his usual toolkit, offering both confinement and liberation.

Following his acclaimed performance in ‘Oppenheimer,’ Downey Jr. embraced a different challenge with ‘The Sympathizer,’ a black comedy drama co-created by Park Chan-wook. Exploring a diverse range of characters, Downey Jr. described the series as an opportunity to unwind, contrasting with the precision demanded by ‘Oppenheimer.’

Downey Jr.’s Oscar win marked a significant milestone in his career, adding to his previous nominations for ‘Chaplin’ and ‘Tropic Thunder.’ In his acceptance speech, he humorously acknowledged his journey, quipping, “I’d like to thank my terrible childhood and the Academy – in that order.”

In ‘The Sympathizer,’ Downey Jr. takes on four roles, including a US congressman and a CIA agent. The series premiered its first episode on 14th April.