Key Takeaways:
– Robert Downey Jr. reportedly left mason jars of urine on set as a form of protest against director David Fincher.
– This occurred during the filming of the 2007 film “Zodiac.”
– Downey Jr. claimed Fincher’s method of directing was unbearable at times, but conceded that he’s “always the smartest guy in the room.”
From Personality Clashes to Unorthodox Protests
In the filmmaking realm, it’s not unusual for stars to clash with directors, leading to all sorts of behind-the-scenes drama. The Marvel icon Robert Downey Jr. reportedly had a memorable instance of this while working with director David Fincher, known for inspiring masterpieces such as Fight Club. He made a distinctive protest on set that has left Hollywood insiders chuckling and fans astonished.
Travails with Fincher on the ‘Zodiac’ Set
The dispute between Downey Jr. and Fincher occurred in the late 2000s, predating Downey’s role as Iron Man but postdating his recovery from drug abuse. The stars’ collaborative venture was the 2007 critically lauded film, ‘Zodiac.’ Downey Jr. found his fast-paced working style clashed with Fincher’s meticulous, methodical approach. The challenge of adapting to Fincher’s slower pace led Downey Jr. to take action.
Publicly voicing his frustration, Downey Jr. lamented his predicament in Keanu Reeves’ 2012 documentary, ‘Side By Side.’ He expressed his discontentment with Fincher’s work style, arguing that he struggled to adjust to the director’s demand for prolonged standing during shoot hours.
A Unique Protest En-route to Iconic Performance
Interestingly, voicing his protest verbally was not the only action Downey Jr. took to address the situation. The diverse actor resorted to an unusual form of protest that left everyone taken aback. David Fincher revealed in the aforementioned documentary that Downey Jr. left mason jars filled with urine on the set as a unique, if not slightly unorthodox, form of protest.
Such an act may seem improbable coming from other actors, but fans and insiders alike find it unsurprising considering Downey Jr.’s imaginative and effective problem-solving methods.
RDJ’s Take on the Experience
Despite deeming the experience unbearable at times, Downey Jr. had a pragmatic perspective on his tumultuous relationship with Fincher. Speaking to the New York Times, he acknowledged Fincher’s towering intellect and admitted that while the creative process might not always feel collaborative, filmmaking remains a director’s medium.
In a witty statement, he expressed how he still navigated the challenging circumstances to meet the director’s expectations. Downey Jr. quipped, “I just decided, aside from several times I wanted to garrote him, that I was going to give him what he wanted. I think I’m a perfect person to work for him because I understand gulags.”
The High Price for Mastery
Working with directors as brilliant as David Fincher can sometimes be grueling. Despite the on-set difficulties, Downey Jr.’s dedication and Fincher’s undeniably brilliant directing skills led to creation of ‘Zodiac’, a film that holds a formidable 90% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The movie is available for viewing on Paramount Plus.
In the ever-surprising sphere of Hollywood, drama is as much a part of the behind-the-scenes as it is on-screen. As this intriguing anecdote about Robert Downey Jr. and David Fincher shows, even disputes and unusual methods of protest can beget artistic masterpieces.
