When Robert Downey Jr. Goes Totally Off Script!

Here are some of the scenes from MCU where Robert Downey Jr. (Tony Stark) Improvised on sets.
Robert Downey Jr Unscripted Moments
Thanks, Alex for the voiceover

[@marvnuts]

The "I am Iron Man" moment altered the entire secret identity trope in the MCU.

[@michaelt312]

It absolutely set the course for this run.

[@Thehuntsmensaga]

How does that work do they have to change storylines?

[@michaelt312]

@@Thehuntsmensaga, the story line wasn't really set. Iron Man was a huge risk when it was done.

[@wrlord]

For the worse.

[@michaelt312]

@@wrlord, $29.8B....

[@nitromiyazaki]

Ryan Reynolds is Deadpool. Hugh Jackman is Wolverine. And Robert Downy Jr. is Iron Man. These are just the facts of life.

[@kuzwawy]

no, they are not, they all gonna be replaced by their better diverse female versions soon

[@naomikirisaki]

Bully Maguire dancing in the background 😂

[@xpetek121]

johnny depp is captiann jack sparrow

[@beekarinsaan]

And Chris Evans is Captain America?

[@kireo8842]

so true for literally everyone you mentioned

[@vinogaranreddy6083]

How it started "I am Iron Man". How it ended "and I, am, Iron Man".

[@infernex8365]

this comments so good man lol

[@MadSEye]

Still missing the iconic character

[@krab1791]

“Please be a secret door, please be a secret door. yeah.” Is one of my favorite lines. It makes me laugh every time.

[@gachabloxgirl3958]

he actually says "Yay!" And that's the cutest thing ever

[@smilealchemist4325]

"Job satisfaction" *ding*

[@jacobfausnight1180]

If he didn't say the "Please be a secret door" line, that scene would have been very dull and weird

[@Lollaksyotuube]

He clearly says yay, did you even watch the video?

[@Victoria-_]

😂😂

[@wuodbonde]

Iron Man in the MCU is 30% comic book 70% Robert Downey Jr.

[@staLkerhu]

Purists would disagree, but I think it is better that way...

[@physicsguybrian]

@@staLkerhu Purists? As in, their interpretation of complete fiction is better than others'? LOL!

[@theamazingalsome]

RDJ is so natural as Iron Man. They will need decades to find anyone who can even come close. Marvel did an amazing job with all castings for the MCU.

[@williamprice1844]

Him and Hugh Jackman,you can't replace them as their characters

[@dj_duplicity4862]

Iron Man can not be live action unless it's RDJ. They will have to clone him if they wanna make it in the future. Disney has them cloning dollars.

[@bartman59laj55]

Yes, marvel pre- Disney that is

[@treybreshears4910]

Brie Larson was questionable but for the core Avengers absolutely

[@LeeMooEez]

Because…he is Iron Man 😌

[@darrkstarg]

RDJ was born for the role. I love how he was able to turn his life around. Marvel did an outstanding job with all the castings. His improvised lines put all his movies over the top and that what makes them so good!

[@HesmiyuMC]

Like how RDJ turned his life around, Tony Stark did too.

[@RedStreak29]

Nobody gives credit to Sarah Halley Finn. She's the casting director in all MCU movies. She deserves credit too

[@hamsta11]

"I'm not saying that the world is enjoying its longest period of uninterrupted peace in years because of me. I'm not saying…that from the ashes of captivity…never has a greater Phoenix metaphor been personified in human history."

[@mymop4422]

the only thing is that RDJ inspired hollywood to try and make everyone like him, which is unsuccessful (look at recent marvel movies), because he was so great. they just cant replicate his acting since i am pretty sure RDJ used improv while these recent movies are scripting jokes.

[@jlvfr]

Downey as Iron Man was 75% of the reason for the MCU success.

[@shriharihudli8596]

Seriously, he carried the whole franchise.

[@mrd9239]

True

[@kevinintheusa8984]

RDJ was Iron Man and whatever they paid him for the role was a bargain because he is the only reason I saw most of these movies. True story.

[@Administrator_O-5]

The Shawarma scene was added when they were doing post reshoots. If you look at Chris Evans he's purposely hiding the bottom half of his face. This is because Chris was in the process of filming Snowpiercer & had a full beard.

[@Alpha0727]

The Shawarma scene was actually filmed on April 12, 2012, a day after the World Premiere and less than a month before the movie was released.

[@RA-gv3ys]

​​@@Alpha0727yeah a late late additions till indeed!!! He had the beard on for the next movie & didn't wanted to spoil his new look. To maintain his Cap look, He had to wear a prosthetic lower jaw here. And it wasn't 100% perfect, on top of it he wasn't comfortable chewing anything with it on, so rather sat quietly holding his face!!!

[@bobsanders1690]

You bring up a brilliant point - building character over time. This concept is lost in today's MCU and the suffering they are going through is apparent. Great call out!!

[@Someguy200023]

They stopped building characters thinking we would move on, when in fact we are moving on because we are getting lame 1D templates of a character.

[@dengen324]

Going woke didn't help the MCU

[@bobsanders1690]

@@dengen324 Going woke was easier to discount the fans reactions to low character development, and gave rise to blaming the fans for not accepting the 1D characters they were churning out. It just takes too long to make money with character development. If they can shame people over developing an audience they (thought) they would make more money faster, and score points with the Left who was giving them money during Covid. They became in affect propaganda for Left leaning causes - because it was easier. They don't realize fans have a choice and will leave beloved IPs when not treated right. Hard lessons, lets hope they realize what is happening before it is all burned to the ground.

[@sleepy.timaeus.arts.]

@@dengen324how has the mcu “gone woke”?

[@bobsanders1690]

@@sleepy.timaeus.arts. Long answer - Ask Bob "I'm too tired and Overwhelmed" Iger - he said this to MSNBC: "Disney Chief Executive Officer Bob Iger said Wednesday he will no longer tolerate his company’s partners and creative team prioritizing messaging over storytelling." Additionally Bob has also addressed Disney's stand on political messaging. There is an entire book written on Disney's political "Woke" messaging including the "Not so secret Gay Agenda". Short Answer - Disney's stock drop from $200 a share a few years ago to $79 the low last quarter shows a drop in customers. The #1 reason is Disney isn't a brand that is trusted - due to the woke messaging.

[@VonOutlaw]

The whole thing about the blueberries that was actually from what I heard something that Robert Downey Jr had as a must in his contract. It was his way of staying healthy and away from his addictions, so he required healthy snacks on the sets in between takes and even while they were doing takes hence why it was in that type of bag.

[@carmene6415]

I wondering if it had something to do with his recovery. It reminds me of an interview he did on Jay Leno after just getting out of prison. He was chewing gum and acting kind of wacky. They discussed his recovery because he was all over the news about getting out of prison at the time. He also talks about his new girlfriend, (at the time) Susan! Damn! It was over 20 years ago! kzbin.info/www/bejne/j5i0hoilf8egm5I

[@DDB-np1jp]

These non scripted lines and acting is what makes the original movies so good. RDJ character fits perfectly, and gives a more comedy tone to what otherwise could be a very hard drama. The one scene that they should have kept was when he dies in End game and all the avengers, including Thor (a god) kneel to show their last respect as he saved the universe.

[@AmandaLeighYA]

Yes, I one hundred percent agree!! I wish they had kept that!!

[@RobinWildlife]

Wait!! He dies!?!?

[@theancientone1616]

Yes@@RobinWildlife

[@shriharihudli8596]

That reminds me of the scene where everyone kneels before the hobbits in Return of the King.

[@Rocky-or4rz]

Christopher Nolan said recently that RDJ being cast as Iron Man is the single greatest casting in movie history. Hard to argue that. And to think Jon Favreau had to fight to cast him with the studio.

[@nanook6620]

At the time i think he was through jail and rehab and all that. Movies are an investment for those kinds of businesses so it's understandable they were hesitant. Just ended up being one of those times it all worked out in the end.

[@oneboneyt]

I am convinced tony stark is playing Robert Downey Jr. now

[@Xelinea]

A brilliant actor who leveled up the MCU to it's best.

[@Johan-rm6ec]

RDJ should get an Oscar.

[@ShockwaveFPSStudios]

After recently winning a golden globe, I can see why.

[@kelvinw.1384]

He almost did for Tropic Thunder. Only losing to the then passed Heath Ledger for Joker.

[@simonlehermeier497]

Well this comment got old very well 😜😂

[@blink1565-kpop]

He got one!

[@fardinzmunna]

No, Oscar should get RDJ

[@Cal6009]

The best part is they're all really good little character moments that add so much to the character. The biggest one being the blueberries, Bruce taking one shows that he and Stark are bonding, Steve not taking one shows that they aren't.

[@InternetGravedigger]

When they hired him to play Tony Stark, that was a stroke of absolute genius...

[@RO8s]

They thought about Tom Cruise, which would have been a disaster (or at least something less fun and very different).

[@LA2047]

Every single time I see a scene with Stark, Strange, and Parker I cannot BELIEVE no one thought to write a line where either Stark or Strange says something obvious to Parker and Parker replies "well no sh*t, Sherlock" and the other two just look at each other for a second. Such a wasted Easter egg opportunity. LOL.

[@vyctordraco948]

OMG yes.......why didn't I think of it?

[@physicsguybrian]

Haha Nice!!! I wonder if they did think of it but something to do with copyright permissions....you know how the industry can be!

[@carlotta4th]

That would have been annoying, taking you out of this film just to point fingers at a different one.

[@physicsguybrian]

@@carlotta4th What are you talking about.

[@king_torres0597]

That’s so cringy

[@fps079]

Glad I lived through RDJ's Iron Man performances. Many, many fine memories.

[@itsgonnabeokay9341]

He is also great in Sherlock Holmes

[@fps079]

@@itsgonnabeokay9341 I agree. But that was short lived, sadly.

[@itsgonnabeokay9341]

@@fps079 Sherlock Holmes 3 is still coming tho.

[@R3V0LV3R45]

That single “Yay!” Is my favorite moment in the second Avengers movie. I don’t know how many times I’ve watched it back to back.

[@tvfunkyman6269]

"I need you to wear a surgical mask" "Thats rude"

[@larrythompson8630]

How prophetic. Years later healthy people were required to wear a mask at their own desk. Be called murderer if they did not get barely tested dna virus.

[@tvfunkyman6269]

@@larrythompson8630 what surprises me is that Disney didn't censor that one.

[@Danceofmasks]

@@tvfunkyman6269 even Disney is starting to realise that the things they bought were better before they bought them.

[@FelanLP]

The line "that man is playing galaga" in germany got translated to "that one plays a shooter game" which makes it even more funny when we see what he is gaming.

[@KidFresh71]

RDJ is an amazing actor, who will finally (hopefully) get his due next month for his stellar supporting turn in Oppenheimer.

[@davidsergeant4488]

"I am Iron Man" isnt a line by a character in a movie. Thats RDJ speaking truth.

[@thecroc1301]

Honestly, RDJ's line "Doth mother know, you weareth her drapes." is my favorite in that entire movie, I can't believe it was improv.

[@nanook6620]

I thought Cap's scene crashing in on Loki and referencing Hitler was good. Especially with the old man standing up to him just made it all the better. With how old the guy looked and the timeline of everything he could have been a child when all that went on.

[@Ar1AnX1x]

this is something that I hear about really good movies/series and how an actor is so well-suited to the character they're playing that the writer actually adjusts their writing around the actor and takes criticism and advice from them, for example this happened in the Sopranos and plenty of other stuff too

[@notevenalittle8363]

RDJ IS Iron Man and Iron Man is RDJ. Perfect casting.

[@NorthLaker]

Fun fact: They shot the post credit scene for the Avengers movie (in the shawarma tent) the day after the world premiere!

[@MikeSmith-gn6hh]

Nothing beats an underdog story, and RDJs is a good one. Thanks John for pushing for him.

[@daviddrew3372]

To his immense credit RDJ made the Avengers. He made an absolutely scholarly decision to NOT accept a salary but instead he took a percentage. He is still reaping the rewards of his very shrewd investment.

[@kevinlucas8437]

Robert is brilliant in everything !!!! His portrayal of Charlie Chaplin ❤

[@aindrilaghosh7834]

So basically almost all the iconic moments of Tony Stark were RDJ being his King of Improvisation self. Yep. That tracks.

[@daleburnfart6845]

The Ironman/ avengers films to me are masterpieces I can go back an watch every one of them any time and be completely entertained.

[@mrthingy9072]

He did some amazing acting work in the series. Most of it was overlooked because "comic book" was stuck to the movies.

[@Lieutenant_Prawn]

The part where Tony has blueberries was actually included as free roam quest in the Lego Avengers game.

[@user-eh5bd1hn8w]

Mr. D, knows I missed all this stuff, God Bless u Mr. D. !!!

[@samgonsalez640]

"Due to his habit of eating" Yeah I think we all as humans feel that

[@daskritterhaus5491]

always like anything RDJ in, some more than others, this more than any RDJ IS an Iron Man in a way

[@ShockwaveFPSStudios]

It makes you wonder how Robert Downey Jr. Felt concerned about playing Lewis Strauss, after playing Iron Man for so long. Especially when he’s been improvising a lot throughout his time in the MCU.

[@brianrussell5277]

😂😂😂 I love RDJ I had no idea those were improved

[@AmberRoseMiles]

I love how he plays with the scenes and other actors… so inspiring

[@bradclifton5248]

He was always the beat of his generation. Minus speed bumps he's still right up there

[@jerrydonbuckholt]

The shwarma scene was actually from Xander in his audition for Buffy. Joss kept it in his back pocket. RDJ didn't come up with it.

[@LucasMarques-kl2le]

Fun Fact: the Shakespeare in the Park part was improvised, and still, the mission name on avengers Lego game is named Shakespeare in the Park, showing the influence of his improvisation.

[@AmanMutreja]

Robert Downey Jr on getting Iron Man role: "IT'S LIKE, I WAS MADE FOR THIS."

[@McKennaBates]

I never realised until I started watching this video that the woman Tony was "with" was so shocked she didn't even stand up.

[@jplusofficial]

Andre Garfield was the closest thing we got to a funny Spider-Man. We need someone with this level of humor

[@BA-we6bv]

3:03 this is my favorite part for the way he says “yay!”

[@MrLoqy]

Congrats RDJ for your 1st oscar! ❤

[@auntydoll8]

this kind of analysis of the actor just told me how much he is at this place in work. he is an amazing actor in my opinion.

[@holliegould3463]

i cannot think of a single person on our entire planet who could've been a better casting for ironman. rdj not only pulls of the role perfectly, he also just carries the tony stark vibe at all times. we were SO blessed to have rdj for live-action tony 🥰

[@thewafflingwaffle]

imagine you just casually working at a local shawarma joint and a bunch of people with superhero costumes and a ton of camera man just casually walk in.

[@kishisetasama]

This is the reason why the original avengers was amazing. The story can be a bit crappy but the cast embodied the characters so much and did justice to our beloved characters.

[@sleepy.timaeus.arts.]

this video makes me wanna rewatch the ironman movies 😭 it’s been so long since i have. i was in elementary when the first one came out! i believe i saw the trailer during a school trip to watch a documentary. good times

[@davidbrun9197]

Excellent movies. Loved them all. ❤

[@Long_Shot_Media]

I'd like to argue the best part in Age of Ultron was after Tony takes out all the guards & says "Well this was fun" one of the guards in pain responds with "No it wasn't"

[@lknanml]

You forgot to add that Evans had a massive facial prosthetic to cover up the beard that he had grown for Snowpiercer in that shawarma aftershot scene.... GOOD VID!!!! Thanks!

[@sham_0252]

0:46 bruh that line literally made him sounds drunk af😂

[@tyro244]

Ultron: You know, with the benefit of hindsight - Hulk: ( SMASH! )

[@vawcreations5887]

WHEN U HAVE GREAT PEOPLE IN THE TEAM, ALWAYS EXPECT SOMETHING GREAT TO HAPPEN. AND THEN WHEN YOU GET THE CHANCE TO SAY "I WAS THERE WHEN THE MAGIC HAPPENED" THEN U WILL REALIZE HOW LUCKY AND BLESSED U R.

[@vincesnetterton2515]

I can't believe a franchise could be so good, and then fall so far...oh wait...Star Wars gives the MCU a run for the money.

[@arcjake276]

there are people that are meant to play certain role. RDJr is Ironman, as Hugh Jackman is Wolverine and Johnny Depp is Jack Sparrow. I cant imagine anyone else playing them.

[@RobertDowneyJr-zq5wx]

Where are you watching from

[@MayankKumar-so6sr]

And that's why MCU will never be the same without him

[@goldenappleamp8718]

I love ironman sm, he’s my favourite superhero forever. And I really like Downey man I hope he comes back😭 His sarcasm is *criminally underrated*

[@martinrodriguez1329]

With end game, it feels it's really just the end. Nothing after it felt good enough to watch.

[@hunn20004]

What really sells a movie....is the acting in between setpieces/CGi mashups

[@CoolCatHaley713]

He also went off script at the end of the first Iron Man when he said “I am Iron Man” you can tell by how the crowed reacted they didn’t expect him to say that. They had to run with it since it was on live TV. Years later you can see it turned out to be a success.

[@FatherOsnom]

“This line was made up by Robert downy jr on the spot” Me already halfway through the video:😧

[@mariateresa8537]

Tony's "yay" and Loki's "ta-daa" will always be on my favorites.

[@SpaceManSpiff32]

My fav ultron line: “I’m not physically able to throw up in my mouth, but I would if I was able to-“

[@mikem4748]

Yay! This is why we loved the old MCU. Get really talented performers and let them develop and flesh out their characters....somewhere that got hijacked with a soulless corporation driven only by greed.

[@AndrewForte-kh3zi]

Now you know how the DCEU feels under Warner Bros.

[@daimpressionz6248]

“Because Tony learns from his mistakes.”

[@physicsguybrian]

Robert Downey Jr. is the ONLY person who could have ever played Tony Stark! An absolutely brilliant master of his craft/art/profession/passion!!!!

[@gefloigle]

“It’s just like Christmas, only with more…me.”

[@oldmandice2731]

Before the days of the M-She-U and "the message" when story and character came 1st. Sigh...I miss those days.

[@DrownedInExile]

Lame.

[@hav1n254]

Robert Downey jr’s iron man movies are the only movies I can rewatch constantly

[@jacobfausnight1180]

This video essentially explains the proof that without RDJ there is no MCU

[@TrueMonkeyNinja]

The “I am Ironman” reveal was the most memorable and exciting for me, I think it really matches Tony’s personality too.

[@myspacemodulator]

Him telling her to wear a mask is not an improved adlib thing. Its a camouflaged and intentional reference to the pandemic

[@Josselyn716]

the little "yay" in age of ultron is so cute and funny

[@GameTheComos]

He has the most character. It made since that he was the funniest one.

[@Dewebje]

He knew his character so well that he could improvise whitout us noticing. Perhaps because RDJ is a Tony Stark himself? Like Bill Murray seems a dry humour person even when not acting?

[@pappy451]

it would be almost impossible to imagine anyone else as Iron Man .

[@mak8680]

Just tells you what a phenomenal actor RDJ is.

[@tarapun4044]

I miss old MCU. :(

[@ashcarrier6606]

It was just so much fun watching RDJ play Tony Stark.

[@briansteele5049]

I love the Shakespeare in the park scene

[@peak_911]

Iron Man 2008 was the first marvel movie i watched ❤ those days, i guess i need to watch it again.

[@AndroidNoir-L06k]

no wonder stark was the only one who got layer of personality in avenger.

[@StarSeeker007]

i love you 3000 tony 🙂

[@JeremyPickett]

From the scuttle i heard, before Iron Man rdj wasnt having a great time. Respected by his peers, battled his demons, but wasnt where he thought he should be. He saw a comic book movie and muttered under his breath, "I can do that." Yes, yes he did. I like to think i have a lot in common with Robert. Im taller and have a deeper voice, we are both consumate improvisors, but we come from a similar place. I never want to meet him--never meet your heros--but he is an absolute inspiration.

[@Amann0407]

From what I've heard about him in real life, he is fairly down to Earth as a person. Battling drug addiction and being in prison can be a character builder. Not much time for egos when you are battling your low points.

[@dragonsword7370]

Great collection of bts info. Thing I need to add though, was that last comment you made about how if they played it straight as possible to the original Iron Man script, the Marvel Universe would be lesser for it. I understand your context and what you're trying to point out, but that script was being written practically the days they'd film those scenes, it was rushed and edited that much.

[@B.Wayne1939]

Just Goes to Prove 🥰 RDJ Is Not just Tony Stark, but Iron Man 🤖

[@ManuelGonzalez-pd6hz]

If "Im Iron Man" was really improvised, the reporters wouldt have stand up like that.

[@_TheDudeAbides_]

RDJ is great but it would be very weird if he opened a door for someone on the other side of the door. Nobody does that.

[@geannehoiting8169]

Please be a secret door... yay😂😂😂😂

[@femkebijlstra558]

Please be a secret door, please be a secret door.... YAY!! cracks me up every time!!!

[@tecna12345]

Ugh I love that man 🥹