Robert Downey Jr.’s career after Avengers: Endgame has been a study in contrasts, as the acclaimed actor experienced both remarkable success and notable disappointment in his first two major projects since leaving the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Since bidding farewell to his legendary role as Tony Stark in 2019, Downey delivered a box office flop with Dolittle and achieved career-defining acclaim with Oppenheimer, demonstrating the unpredictable nature of Hollywood stardom.
From Iron Man’s End to a New Chapter
After a decade as the charismatic Iron Man, a role that defined a generation of superhero movies and cemented Robert Downey Jr.’s comeback in Hollywood, the actor concluded his arc with a dramatic sacrifice in Avengers: Endgame. Tony Stark’s exit not only wrapped up a pivotal storyline but also left audiences and industry watchers eager to see what Downey would pursue next. The years following his MCU departure included diverse ventures, from leading the ill-fated Dolittle in 2020, to embodying real-life figure Lewis Strauss in Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer in 2023, to making a Broadway debut in McNeal, and taking on multiple roles in HBO’s series The Sympathizer. In 2024, his return to the Marvel universe was announced at San Diego Comic-Con, where he is set to portray Doctor Doom in Avengers: Doomsday.
Yet, it was his contrasting experiences in Dolittle and Oppenheimer that most sharply showcased the extremes of Robert Downey Jr.’s post-Avengers: Endgame journey in Hollywood.
The Dolittle Debacle: A High-Profile Flop
The first major test for Robert Downey Jr.’s career after Avengers: Endgame came with the 2020 fantasy adventure Dolittle, where he played the eccentric doctor capable of communicating with animals—a character originating from Hugh Lofting’s books and previously made famous by Eddie Murphy. Intended as a whimsical family film, Dolittle followed the reclusive doctor on a quest to cure Queen Victoria by seeking a mythical remedy.
Despite a hefty budget of $175 million, which climbed significantly due to reshoots, Dolittle underperformed both financially and critically, earning just $251.5 million globally, a weak showing for a star of Downey’s stature. The movie drew scathing reviews, earning a low 15% Tomatometer rating on Rotten Tomatoes. As critics repeatedly lambasted its
“dull plot, over-the-top childish comedy, and distracting CGI,”
audience scores were slightly kinder—with a 76% Popcornmeter—suggesting younger viewers found more to enjoy than adult fans or reviewers. Nevertheless, the overall consensus labeled the film as one of the weakest entries in Downey’s filmography.
This critical failure was a stark contrast to the nuanced and heroic characters Downey had become synonymous with, particularly after his character-defining time as Tony Stark. The disappointment, coupled with Dolittle’s six Razzie nominations and the subsequent dampening effect on Downey’s reputation, became a significant footnote in his career.
Dolittle’s struggles were summarized by Downey himself as
“a two-and-a-half-year wound of squandered opportunity.”
—Robert Downey Jr.
Oppenheimer: Triumph and Oscar Glory
In a remarkable turnaround, Robert Downey Jr.’s very next headline role after Dolittle thrust him back to the pinnacle of critical acclaim. In Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer, released in 2023, Downey played Lewis Strauss, the shrewd Atomic Energy Commission Chairman whose rivalry with J. Robert Oppenheimer forms a crucial subplot in the biographical epic. While Cillian Murphy led the cast as Oppenheimer, critics and audiences alike found Downey’s performance especially memorable for its subtle menace and layered complexity.
Downey, who once described Kiss Kiss Bang Bang as
“the best film I’ve ever done,”
—Robert Downey Jr. found himself eclipsed by the new heights of Oppenheimer’s success, both for Nolan and for the actor himself.
Oppenheimer was named one of the standout films of 2023, grossing $975.8 million at the box office and collecting multiple accolades. Downey’s nuanced portrayal of Strauss earned him his first Academy Award, as he took home the Best Supporting Actor honor at the 96th Oscars. The role allowed him to display extraordinary range, shifting seamlessly between restrained dignity and quiet villainy. Critics praised Downey’s ability to bring both charm and manipulative menace to the character, cementing his place among the year’s top cinematic achievements.
Comparing Paths: Fellow Avengers’ Journeys Beyond the MCU
Robert Downey Jr. is not the only Avengers: Endgame star to navigate the unpredictable waters of post-MCU Hollywood. Co-stars Chris Evans and Scarlett Johansson have likewise faced highs and lows following their dramatic exits from the franchise.
Chris Evans, whose portrayal of Captain America concluded with Endgame, has acknowledged the mixed reception of his post-Marvel filmography. In a humorous exchange with his Materialists co-stars, he quipped that casting him alongside Dakota Johnson and Pedro Pascal would “ruin both of their careers,” alluding to his streak of recent box office disappointments. Both Evans and Johansson did return for additional appearances in Marvel projects—Evans in voice and cameo form, Johansson in Black Widow (2021) and, reportedly, Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)—but their most notable works outside the MCU have varied dramatically in critical and commercial reception.
Scarlett Johansson experienced a broader range of outcomes. After Natasha Romanoff’s narrative closure in Endgame, Johansson starred in a mix of small, critically lauded films like Marriage Story and Asteroid City, as well as commercial hits such as Sing 2 and Jojo Rabbit. However, she also encountered setbacks with less successful ventures such as Fly Me to the Moon, sharing the screen with Channing Tatum. Intrigue surrounds her next role in Jurassic World: Rebirth, hinting at a possible career upswing.
The Impact of Dolittle’s Failure on Downey’s Choices
For Robert Downey Jr., Dolittle’s misfire did more than bruise his reputation—it may have influenced his willingness to return to Marvel. The intense disappointment and public critique surrounding Dolittle prompted reflection on his project selection, causing him to reevaluate priorities, as he candidly admitted,
“We had this reset of priorities,”
—Robert Downey Jr. The film’s failure, coupled with so many missed opportunities, was such a sharp departure from his previous success trajectory, it likely played a part in his readiness to accept the new Marvel role as Doctor Doom for Avengers: Doomsday.
Comparing Downey’s major recent box office outcomes tells the story. Avengers: Endgame, his MCU send-off, amassed a colossal $2.799 billion worldwide; Dolittle barely returned its budget at $251 million; and Oppenheimer soared to $975.8 million. This wide disparity has reinforced the reality that even an A-list star like Downey cannot guarantee consistent success—audience taste, critical response, and creative collaboration remain unpredictable, especially in the transitional periods following a career-defining franchise.
The importance of career stability is highlighted by Downey’s earlier work in films like The Shaggy Dog, which played a role in demonstrating the reliability that led to his Iron Man casting. Now, Dolittle’s reception serves as a similar turning point, albeit in the negative direction, lighting the path back toward the security and fanfare of Marvel. Nonetheless, Oppenheimer’s resounding success and Oscar recognition stand as proof of Downey’s depth and adaptability as an actor, securing his legacy regardless of genre or franchise loyalty.
What Lies Ahead for Robert Downey Jr. and Hollywood’s Superstars
Though Robert Downey Jr.’s career after Avengers: Endgame has included the disappointment of Dolittle and the triumph of Oppenheimer, the actor’s adaptability remains undisputed. His willingness to take creative risks, even at the expense of high-profile failures, demonstrates a passion for his craft that few can match. The industry, for its part, continues to watch closely as Downey balances returning to familiar territory with Marvel, pursuing challenging dramatic roles, and experimenting on stage and in television.
For audiences and fellow actors, Downey’s career since Endgame serves as a case study in resilience and reinvention—not just weathering storms, but seizing new opportunities to evolve and tell fresh stories. With announced projects like Avengers: Doomsday on the horizon and the lasting glory of his first Oscar win, Robert Downey Jr. illustrates how the unpredictable journey beyond one iconic character can reshape an actor’s legacy and inspire peers across Hollywood.
