Key Takeaways:
– Robert Downey Jr. almost ruined ‘Natural Born Killers' with his on-set behavior, according to director Oliver Stone.
– Downey Jr.'s infamous antics included a prank involving fake blood which upset Stone.
– Despite these issues, the movie turned out to be one of the most important films in Downey Jr.'s career.
– The film, ‘Natural Born Killers', is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.
Robert Downey Jr. is known for stealing the show in every scene he appears, and his surprise appearance at SDCC this summer is a testament to this. Yet, there was a time when the Iron Man star's antics almost led to disaster on the set of a movie. This happened during the filming of the 1994 film ‘Natural Born Killers', directed by Oliver Stone.
Robert Downey Jr.'s Performance in ‘Natural Born Killers'
Downey Jr. took on the role of Wayne Gale in ‘Natural Born Killers', a character known for capitalizing on criminals to the point of creating a cult-like status. His performance was definitely a standout, even in the midst of other stellar acts like Rodney Dangerfield's. However, according to Stone, Downey Jr.'s behavior almost ruined the film.
Stone has revealed that Downey Jr. was rarely sober while filming ‘Natural Born Killers'. There was even one instance where Downey Jr. caused major upset on set by dipping his shirt tail in fake blood and pulling it through his unzipped pants. Stone's reaction was quite severe – he accused Downey Jr. of going too far and potentially ruining the movie.
Despite the Film's Turmoil, a Cult Classic was Born
Yet, ‘Natural Born Killers' is known for its heightened, over-the-top style. Even Woody Harrelson, who played Mickey alongside Juliette Lewis' Mallory, considers it a romantic comedy. Despite the initial controversy, Stone instructed Downey Jr. to tweak his prank rather than abandon it, reaching a compromise of sorts.
At the time of filming, Downey Jr. was at an interesting point in his career. He had just received an Oscar nomination for his performance in ‘Chaplin', but was struggling with personal issues. He admitted in an Esquire interview that the only time he was completely awake on set was between hearing “action” and “cut”.
Celebrating ‘Natural Born Killers' 30th Anniversary
2024 marks the 30th anniversary of ‘Natural Born Killers', and there's no better way to commemorate it than to revisit this cult classic. Whether you're a fan of the movie or a lover of film history, this film offers a fascinating exploration of Downey Jr.'s career.
Co-star Harrelson humorously recalled his own memories of the filming process, claiming that he was the most sober person on set which was unique for him. He joked that he felt like “Mother Teresa” on this particular project, a stark contrast to his otherwise rock-n-roll lifestyle.
So, 30 years on, let's raise a glass to ‘Natural Born Killers', a film that despite its rocky production history, remains a key piece of 90s cinema. It also serves as a reminder of Robert Downey Jr.'s incredible talent, even when his off-camera antics threatened to steal the show for all the wrong reasons.
And remember, whether you're a fan of ‘Natural Born Killers', or just discovering it for the first time, one thing's for sure; this movie, just like Downey Jr., is entirely unforgettable.
