Robert Downey Jr.’s post-MCU career has hit some bumps, and his upcoming involvement in the Vertigo remake may either boost or worsen his box office performance. Despite retiring his popular Iron Man character, Downey Jr. has struggled to find success outside of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. While his role in Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer was well-received, his film Dolittle was a major flop, highlighting the risks of revivals. The Vertigo remake is particularly concerning as it attempts to recreate a beloved classic, and if it fails, it may indicate that Downey Jr. still relies on Iron Man for box office success.
Downey Jr.’s participation in Oppenheimer, where he plays Lewis Strauss, has been a success, earning over $560 million at the box office. However, this achievement stands in contrast to his other post-MCU release, Dolittle, which underperformed, making only $251.4 million against a $175 million budget. The Vertigo remake has the potential to stabilize Downey Jr.’s post-MCU career, but it also carries the risk of being another box office disappointment similar to Dolittle.
The news of Downey Jr.’s involvement in the Vertigo remake has already raised concerns. Remaking a classic film like Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo is often a risky endeavor, as remakes and revivals tend to be hit or miss with audiences. Dolittle serves as an example of this, as the attempt to revive the material from Hugh Lofting’s children’s books failed to resonate with viewers. Remakes of Hitchcock movies have also faced challenges, with Gus Van Sant’s Psycho being a notable failure. This suggests that there may not be high demand or financial success for Hitchcock remakes.
If Downey Jr.’s Vertigo remake fails, it would indicate that he still relies on the Iron Man character from the MCU for box office success. Given Downey Jr.’s influential role in the multi-billion dollar franchise, a post-MCU slump would raise questions about his decision to move away from Marvel. Therefore, the success of Vertigo is crucial for Downey Jr.’s career, as a failure would solidify the notion that he still needs Iron Man.
In conclusion, Robert Downey Jr.’s upcoming participation in the Vertigo remake has the potential to either revive or worsen his post-MCU box office performance. While he has had success with Oppenheimer, his film Dolittle was a disappointment. The Vertigo remake poses significant risks as it attempts to recreate a beloved classic. If it fails, it may indicate that Downey Jr. still relies on his Iron Man character for box office success. The outcome of Vertigo is crucial for Downey Jr.’s post-MCU career.
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