Robert Downey Jr. found it “hard” portraying Iron Man, but he is “eternally grateful” for his 10-year stint as the superhero.
The actor admitted in September (2020) that he was “done” with the Marvel Cinematic Universe after his character Tony Stark/ Iron Man was killed off in Avengers: Endgame, and the star has now told how he did “all (he) could” with his alter-ego, and found the part “creatively satisfying”.
“Each project is different. Playing Tony/ Iron Man was hard and I dug deep. I had an incredible 10-year run that was creatively satisfying,” he told the Hindustan Times newspaper. “I’ve done all I could with that character and can do other things now.
“Now, being middle-aged, you start looking at the back nine and realize this is all part of the journey and things end. I am fortunate and eternally grateful to have wound up where I have.”
Downey Jr. still has big ambitions, but admitted he thinks about how much time he would have to spend away from his family whenever he gets a script nowadays.
“I now have tons more ambition to do things I haven’t done before,” he continued. “Evolving is key – the worst thing you can do is get in your own way. Just in the matter of me wanting to be a fit father, husband and citizen, it’d be irresponsible of me to not keep my eye ahead so I can prepare my mind for what’s to come and the transition.
“As an actor, every time I get a script now, I think about the commitment and time I’d be away from my missus and kiddos.”
