Robert Downey Jr. is not simply the actor taking part in Physician Doom within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the Russos say he is going above and past to carry his model of the character to life. In accordance with the most recent, RDJ is writing the backstory for his model of the character. And as a Star Trek fan, this all sounds very acquainted.
When Patrick Stewart returned to play Jean-Luc Picard in his sequel sequence, he was each an govt producer and distinguished voice within the writers’ room. Given that there is some clear similarities to how the MCU is dealing with Robert Downey Jr.’s return, let’s revisit a few of what got here up from Stewart giving his enter on the Starfleet captain.
Patrick Stewart’s Concepts About Picard Did not All the time Jive With The Subsequent Technology’s Picard Followers Knew
There’s been lots of dialogue within the time throughout and since Picard has ended about Patrick Stewart’s affect on the character. One factor all followers can agree on is that the character we noticed was very far faraway from who Jean-Luc Picard was on The Subsequent Technology. Whereas some would keep that few if any individuals are precisely the identical particular person they had been many years prior, there are clear indicators the place Stewart’s imprint was left on the character.
One particular change we all know Patrick Stewart contributed to was giving Picard a pitbull. Whereas I am unable to say I noticed anybody categorical sturdy opinions about that a technique or one other, it is necessary to grasp why it was executed. Stewart has lengthy been an advocate for the breed, and has campaigned to get legal guidelines modified within the UK to permit them into the nation.
Pit Bull advocacy was by no means a Jean-Luc Picard factor, it was a Patrick Stewart factor. Whereas many individuals would state that Stewart is Jean-Luc Picard, would additionally they say that Picard is Stewart? Positive, I do not assume there’s any denying that he discovered rather a lot from taking part in the character on The Subsequent Technology, however when being confronted with a inventive choice he made straight based mostly on his personal life reasonably than the character’s one has to marvel in what different methods he would possibly’ve disagreed with seasoned Trek writers about Picard.
Actors Might Be The Face Of Their Beloved Characters, However They Aren’t Writers
There are some writers which can be additionally actors, however not each actor is a author. Sure, generally you get a Ben Affleck and Matt Damon who write Good Will Searching, however I’d say it is extra uncommon than not that you just get somebody who can do each. Regardless of his contributions within the Picard writers room, Patrick Stewart nonetheless has zero official writing credit on IMDB. Robert Downey Jr. has one for The Final Get together, a documentary he did on the 1992 Democratic Nationwide Conference.
One thing that each Robert Downey Jr. and Patrick Stewart have in widespread is that they each are the faces of two iconic characters. One is on the quick checklist of Star Trek‘s greatest characters, and RDJ is so synonymous with the MCU that he is successfully being introduced again in an try to save lots of the franchise. There is no such thing as a scarcity of individuals in Hollywood who would cross on the very fact to deal with the much-publicized return of the actor as one in all Marvel’s largest villains, so why not simply sit again and allow them to do the lion’s share of the work?
In equity to RDJ, I do not assume there’s essentially something fallacious with him brainstorming and writing character backstory if it informs his character and will get him extra into the function. I’d take warning in how a lot the folks engaged on the script obtain that data and the way very important it performs into the general story. These screenwriters are paid nicely sufficient to differentiate the distinction between a great and unhealthy suggestion, I’d hope this is not a state of affairs the place the actor is insistent that his concepts be used.
Maybe We As An Viewers Ought to Make Concessions For Actors When They Return
I’ve stated rather a lot right here about Patrick Stewart and Robert Downey Jr., however I maybe overlooked probably the most very important indisputable fact that must be addressed. At no level did both of them have to return to those initiatives. Stewart’s legacy as Picard was cemented in stone lengthy earlier than he ever was in discussions for his revival sequence, and I feel it is truthful to say he did Star Trek extra of a favor than the opposite means round.
Robert Downey Jr. made sufficient cash on Avengers: Endgame alone to by no means need to work in Hollywood once more. Very like Stewart, he has nothing left to show, and I daresay his function as Iron Man has completely modified how the character will likely be dealt with by anybody who tries to deal with the character for many years to come back. I feel it is greater than truthful to say the MCU wants him far more than he wants it, and if he desires to have some say in how Physician Doom is dealt with, who’re we to inform him no?
And to be clear, RDJ is not simply signing on to do a revival sequence like Patrick Stewart. Returning to be the brand new large unhealthy of the MCU means doubtlessly committing to a number of appearances in upcoming Marvel motion pictures. He is already executed it as soon as, and he is signing as much as do it once more after placing the franchise on his again and kicking it off so way back. As a lot as I’ll have gripes with him doubtlessly taking a inventive spin on a personality with many years of his personal backstory and lore, I feel it is greater than truthful to say he is earned the suitable to have a voice within the room. Additionally, to say it, I feel everybody ought to watch Star Trek: Picard with a Paramount+ subscription as a result of it is nonetheless an excellent sequence even when there are followers with points on the character.
In the end we are able to solely proceed to attend and see how Robert Downey Jr.’s return to the MCU as Physician Doom will play out. Avengers Doomsday is slated for 2026, and no matter what else I hear in regards to the film between at times, I will likely be seated to look at it.