Robert Downey Jr. has already labored with Dr. Unusual actor Benedict Cumberbatch within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However past their Marvel movies, Downey couldn’t assist really feel a little bit of jealousy in the direction of the actor when watching him on one other undertaking.
Robert Downey Jr. had display envy with Benedict Cumberbatch
Downey and Cumberbatch had more than the MCU in common. The two actors also portrayed different versions of iconic literary figure Sherlock Holmes. Downey played the character in 2009’s titular film Sherlock Holmes and its sequel Sherlock Holmes: A Recreation of Shadows. Cumberbatch would play the character within the BBC mini-series Sherlock for 4 seasons.
In a 2014 interview with Collider, Cumberbatch defined that he was in a position to share notes about Sherlock with Downey.
“I sat down on the sofa with Robert Downey, Jr. last night, and we had our first conversation and shared notes on playing Sherlock Holmes. This is the most dramatized fictional character of all time, so there’s a lot to talk about,” Cumberbatch stated.
Downey was additionally supportive of his Infinity Struggle co-star. However the actor admitted he couldn’t assist really feel a little bit jealous when watching Cumberbatch’s personal Sherlock Holmes efficiency.
“Very impressed with Benedict,” Downey as soon as wrote on a Reddit AMA (by way of Vanity Fair). “Such smart writing on that show. I have screen envy.”
Robert Downey Jr. and Benedict Cumberbatch nearly shared a Sherlock Holmes joke in ‘Avengers: Infinity War’
Cumberbatch and Downey would later collaborate with one another within the 2018 blockbuster Avengers: Infinity Struggle. It was a gathering that was lengthy overdue for his or her respective characters Dr. Unusual and Iron Man. Though their Avengers characters may need had their variations, Cumberbatch confided to Entertainment Weekly that he and Downey had no hassle getting alongside.
“I got on very well with Robert Downey Jr. He’s the most inclusive leading man, and generous to a fault, and just a pleasure to be around. It’s a very happy set when RDJ’s on it, and that goes for everyone, not just the actors,” Cumberbatch stated. “He’s funny, he’s quick, he’s so light on his feet, such a smart-thinking actor. It’s quite something to watch people like RDJ, who have been doing it so brilliantly for so long, in their prime.”
When Downey and Cumberbatch got here collectively, the irony of the 2 each enjoying Sherlock Holmes wasn’t misplaced on the Russo Brothers. The administrators toyed round with the concept of creating an onscreen joke on their Sherlock connection in Infinity Struggle.
“I should’ve said, ‘No s***, Sherlock,’” one of many Russo brothers informed The Hollywood Reporter. “Everybody really wanted that joke.”
The Russo Brothers figured the joke can be an apparent one. However they conceded that they weren’t one to shrink back from apparent jokes within the MCU.
How Robert Downey Jr. and Benedict Cumberbatch really feel about reprising their Sherlock Holmes characters
It would appear that each Downey and Cumberbatch have put their Sherlock Holmes characters behind them. Nonetheless, Cumberbatch hasn’t dominated out the potential of revisiting the genius detective.
“Oh look, I still say never say never. You know, I really like that character… it’s just, the circumstances need to be right and I think maybe it’s too soon now to see it have another life. I think, wonderful as it is, it’s had its moment for now. But that’s not to say it wouldn’t have another iteration in the future,” Cumberbatch as soon as informed Esquire.
In the meantime, Downey’s spouse Susan Downey defined on the UnWrapped podcast that her husband has maintained curiosity in a 3rd Sherlock Holmes film. Susan Downey, who’s additionally her husband’s producer, sat together with her husband and one other producer to focus on the undertaking not too way back.
“Prior to this, we had lunch together with Robert, the three of us. And it was a very specific topic of conversation,” Susan Downey stated. “So yes, it is in the hopper. We’re going to do it when it’s right, with the right people, but it is a priority for the company and a priority for Robert.”