Last fall, director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu was promoting his film, Birdman, which is about a former comic-book-movie-lead and has-been who is trying to revive his career with a stint on Broadway. I personally hated the movie but Birdman went on to win Best Picture and Best Director Oscars this year, along with a slew of other awards. My qualms with the film were with the script and story – Inarritu showed himself to be a particularly brilliant director and more power to him. Anyway, last fall, Inarritu gave a lengthy interview to Deadline in which he spoke about the “cultural genocide” of comic-book films. You can read the full interview here, but here are some highlighted comments:
On the money: “I think there’s nothing wrong with being fixated on superheroes when you are 7 years old, but I think there’s a disease in not growing up. The corporation and the hedge funds have a hold on Hollywood and they all want to make money on anything that signifies cinema. When you put $100 million and you get $800 million or $1 billion, it is very hard to convince people. You tell them, you will put in $20 million and you will get $80 million. Now, that is a f–king amazing business, but they say, “$80 million? I want $800 million.”
Cultural genocide: “I sometimes enjoy them because they are basic and simple and go well with popcorn. The problem is that sometimes they purport to be profound, based on some Greek mythological kind of thing. And they are honestly very right wing. I always see them as killing people because they do not believe in what you believe, or they are not being who you want them to be. I hate that, and don’t respond to those characters. They have been poison, this cultural genocide, because the audience is so overexposed to plot and explosions and shit that doesn’t mean nothing about the experience of being human.
The idea of superheroes: “Superheroes…just the word hero bothers me. What the f–k does that mean? It’s a false, misleading conception, the superhero. Then, the way they apply violence to it, it’s absolutely right wing. If you observe the mentality of most of those films, it’s really about people who are rich, who have power, who will do the good, who will kill the bad. Philosophically, I just don’t like them.
Agree or disagree with Inarritu, but he has an interesting point of view and he explained his position very well. I tend to agree with him for the most part – I’m often disturbed by the socio-political subtext of both Marvel and DC Comics adaptations, in which the violent plutocrats (Bruce Wayne, Tony Stark) are given the responsibility to save the country/world.
Well, anyway… Robert Downey Jr. was asked about Inarritu’s “cultural genocide” comments during The Age of Ultron tour and this is what he told the Guardian: “I respect the hell out of him. I think for a man whose native tongue is Spanish to be able to put together a phrase like cultural genocide just speaks to how bright he is.” (I’m including the video below.)
JESUS CHRIST, RDJ. Do you know how g—damn insulting that is? Inarritu made a lengthy and eloquent argument for why superhero films are destroying the film industry for other filmmakers AND they have a terrible political message and all RDJ can say is “wow, his English is better than I thought it would be!” Just know, I’ve been on the receiving end of those kinds of comments (because of the way I look, some people expect me to have an accent, I guess) and I always think the speakers are unbelievably ignorant. Like “Oh, wow, you know lots of words!” And why wouldn’t a Spanish speaker “be able to put together” a phrase like “cultural genocide”? Do only white, English-speaking Americans understand cultural genocide (presumably because they’re the ones committing said genocide)?
Photos courtesy of WENN.
My dad is Arab and still has a pretty pronounced accent and I get angry when people say “Oh, his English is fantastic!” like somehow it wouldn’t be, because he wasn’t born in North America?
A part of me is hoping he was just being his usual “RDJ” jokey self and wasn’t serious but yeah…that’s not fine at all.
Stuff like that happened to my Indian father as well – he had an accent but he spoke like five languages really well and people were always “surprised” that his English was better than theirs.
Same. From India, studied in Australia, speak 4 languages, work in publishing with books in English. Still the tone of surprise whenever I articulated thoughts. I even got patronising questions like, do you know who Madonna is? I always felt like responding with, yes, do you know who James Joyce is and would you like to debate the merits of his approach to stream of consciousness versus Virginia Woolf’s?
It almost sounds like sarcasm.
As for sensitivity about Americans’ compliments — we’re a simple people.
We have good hearts.
Americans mean well when we compliment someone.
We can’t tell by looking at your how many languages you speak.
If you don’t like it here, that’s your choice, but when you come here and then get upset because an American compliments you, it sounds like you’re looking for something to be mad at us for.
Why be here if it’s so offensive to you?
Apparently, in the oscar winning Birdman, director Innarittu aludes to ironman or an ironman like movie star…i dont know…havent seen it yet…anyway…Douchey Jr was clearly and quite xenophobically lashing out at the Mexican who hurt his feelings.
Peruvian here, a South African boy just stared at me without blinking when he heard me answering his mate in fluid English. It’s very rude.
@joan You missed the point.
@ Indira. If you get asked again who Madonna is, respond “Sadly, yes” and leave it at that. See what they say next 🙂
I love RDJ but these comments made me really angry. I maybe taking this too personal but it is common that some people think we Mexicans are kind of illiterate and to treat us in a very condescending manner. Must of us middle-class Mexicans can speak a decent level of English at the very least. How many languages do yo speak Robert?
Have you seen Aamer Rahman’s joke about “Don’t compliment me on my English.”? Totally nails it.
I love Aamer Rahman <3
Ha ha. Good recommendation you two. He’s funny and hot so here’s a youtube link to a 5 minute clip:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuDvAInMYgU
I can understand how that would get old after awhile, but I’m sure people mean it as a compliment. Learning a new language is hard, and not everybody can do it well!
I was in Italy for vacation once and somebody told me I spoke good Italian…I was thrilled! Also, my sister teaches English as a foreign language and she has said it’s one of the hardest languages to learn.
Nope.
No no no!!
Not the same thing!!
Please try again later…
English, one of the hardest languages to learn? Seriously? With so few verbs?
Try French. Or German. Or even Spanish. And let’s not even mention Cantonese, Korean, etc.
Learning another language, especially when it’s not spoken in your family or country, is hard and those trying and actually reaching advanced/fluent status should be commended for their dedication. But to say English is one of the hardest languages to learn… That’s taking it too far.
@bangersandmash my point was I was a tourist and only heard it once so I loved hearing it, but I could understand how it could get old if you hear it all the time. However, I think the intentions are the same. How is a person on the street supposed to know that you know 5 languages? Most likely, they don’t know a 2nd language and are impressed that you do. My SIL is foreign, and looks it. She gets comments about her English…she gets tired of it, but not offended *shrugs*
@Cee yes behind Russian and the Asian languages, English is pretty tough for people to learn fluently- not in any small part because the English language has so many words that sound the same but can have different meanings and different spellings. It is hard for foreign speakers to pick up on those nuances. It’s laughable that you would think French and Spanish are hard to learn. I picked up on both of those in high school in 2 years fairly easily.
Except English is regarded by too many as the most important language to learn. It’s also widely considered a “white people” language that for centuries has been regarded as superior. -ESL Teacher with Linguistics degree.
@MrsB – I doubt that, but OK. Fluency for everyone! Please don’t confuse “picking up” a language with actually being fluent in it.
And if you think spanish doesn’t have words with multiple meanings and spellings then I suppose the Spanish you learned is very limited and based on high school requirements such as “el sacapuntas es rojo”. I’m always surprised at people who say they learned Spanish at High School and then can’t hold down a conversation or even remotely communicate their ideas. And this without expecting fluency ( a lot of people think they’re fluent when they’re not). This, of course, might not be applied to you. You could very well be a polyglot who only needed two years to speak spanish and french.
And I repeat – English is not the hardest language to learn after Russian and “the Asian languages”.
@cee
I grew up traveling outside of America, went to boarding school for 5 years that had ~ 50% international students, my sister has lived abroad for 15 years now (3 different countries) and my brother is married to a foreigner. So, my opinion is not just some shot in the dark. This is what many people have told me. But, you know what they say about opinions. We can agree to disagree.
English is NOT hard to learn, girl. In a few months with a good teacher you should have all the tools to defend yourself in a conversation. Plus, everyone in the world is born knowing at least a little bit of English because of the USA’s (and UK to a lesser degree) gigantic cultural influence.
The phonetic contradictions can prove tricky to some, but overall I think English is a great language to be considered “universal” as it has very simple grammar.
I think the reason English is so easy to learn is because it’s everywhere. I mean, I’ve never been to an English speaking country, but I don’t remember a day that I didn’t hear something in English.
I speak four languages, my first language being Croatian ( slavic) , and I found English the easiest to learn. Then Spanish, then German ( which is my favourite). The fact that I heard all those languags on TV on a daily basis helped a lot.
I know only two English speaking people who tried to learn Croatian, and after 10 years here you can still hear they are not native speakers, And it’s not just the accent, things like gender ( verbs differ depending on gender ) cases ( we have 7 and English has none), the pitch accent and especially the aspect of verbs., etc. are very difficult for them to learn.
@Cee, I think Polish and some other Slavic languages are more difficult than Russian
Mandarin is widely reported to be the most difficult language to learn. English is pretty basic. No gender based nouns, no la/le, no clicks, to make something plural you usually only have to add an ‘s’…
People say English is hard to learn because of the difficulty with spelling and pronunciation, I think. Some languages, like Spanish, are highly phonetic, and that isn’t the case with English.
Through, rough, thorough – none of those sound the same at all.
Wind/wind, read/read, lead/lead, etc. all pronounced differently, and mean different things.
Their/there/they’re, too/two/to, your/you’re etc. confuses native English speakers.
Don’t downplay the achievements of those who learn English. It is a language that is difficult to learn, like other languages, and I would assume there is more disdain for those who don’t speak English more than any other language on earth.
Also, in regards to “oh wow your English is so good” – I see that it is a very backhanded compliment (and shame on RDJ for saying that in the context that he did, really – that is so offensive). However, I’ve done multiple “international buddy” programs in college (because I speak Polish, Spanish, and German) to help them settle into life in America easier as international students. I’ve told my buddies that they’re English is exceptional for a non-native speaker because they’ve expressed insecurity about it to the point where they were anxious about classes and social interaction. I do not regret encouraging them, or praising them in their progress and pursuit to expand their English even more than it was.
I am amused about how passionate people are about whether it is hard to learn or not. Obviously, whether or not a language is hard to learn depends on how close it is to your native language. English is probably very hard to learn for someone who speaks Mandarin, but easy to learn for someone who speaks Dutch. Also, as someone has mentioned, non-natives speakers also get a lot of exposure to it, and some countries start teaching it very early, making it “easier”. I found French, Spanish and Portuguese relatively easy to pick up (especially after knowing one), but Latvian extremely hard to pick up. English has much easier verb construction than many languages, but is very internally inconsistent with spelling, and I believe has a lot more words total than some others.
MrsB is right – English is considered the most difficult language to learn because there are so many contradictions and oddities in pronunciation, spelling, etc.OH – and RDJ is a tool. I don’t get the love for him at all.
@Wren3
Very good point there. As a native Spanish speaker, I can understand a bit of Italian and Portuguese because it’s very similar to my language. I can’t do a literal translation, obviously, but I have efficiently communicated with Brazilian people without either of us speaking each other’s language. There’s no way that would happen with, say, a Japanese tourist.
Yep I’m currently taking courses to be certified to teach English as a second language and it’s considered hard to learn because you don’t pronounce most words based on how they look. For example: though and thought. For native English speakers it seems pretty simple but for people learning English who’s native language is Mandarin, Hindi, Japanese etc it’s not as simple as we may think it is.
I always thought english might be one of the more simple languages until I took this course and then I realized its a lot harder than it looks.
Exactly. Why is it that English-speakers take it as a compliment when we visit another country and someone compliments us on how well we speak their language, but it’s somehow considered wrong and “infantilizing” if we compliment someone whose first language is not English on their English?? Get a grip, people. RDJ was commenting on a stupid comment Alejandro made — for crap’s sake, no, all comic-book movies are NOT “cultural genocide.” It’s a ridiculous comment that deserved to be skewered, and RDJ is a master at taking pretentious people down a few notches. Innaritu deserved it. And Downey tempered it by saying he respects Innaritu. I don’t get the “racism” supposedly involved in this at all. And I’m saying this as someone whose first language is not English.
English is very easy to learn, I’m speaking from experience. My native tongue is Polish so it’s not because there are any similarities. In my opinion, Spanish is definitely more difficult than English (still fairly easy though), as is Dutch (much easier if you know English, very easy if you know German which btw I consider the most difficult of those 3 languages that I’ve studied) . Becoming fluent in Polish as a second language must be pretty much impossible. I’ve yet to meet a foreigner who doesn’t make noticable grammar mistakes even after 20+ years of living in Poland.
@MrsB, English is actually one of the easiest languages to learn… First, the grammar is extremely simple, second, it’s everywhere, on TV,cinema, music, etc.
I speak Portuguese, German, Spanish, French and a bit of Italian.. Trust me, the first 2 are really, really hard… I’m Portuguese, so no similarity o English, whatsoever.. For a foreigner, my mother tongue must be a nightmare, and German? With all the declinations as in Latin… Help…
The one that irks me is when people automatically start speaking slower and louder at you. My parents got this a lot because their accent is heavy (the English, again, is fine).
This happened to me when I first arrived in England. Teachers AND students started speaking to me very slowly and loudly until I answered in perfect english which always got the response,’oh thank goodness you speak English!’ swiftly followed by,’how amazing that your from Africa and speak English’ or ‘you speak English very well.’
All countries from Africa have the colonial language as one of their national languages, so chances are that they will have English or French or Italian in their language bank as well as their tribal language(s). Arabic too if they are Muslim.
It pisses me off even now when people compliment Lupita on her English when Kenyans widely speak English and it shouldn’t surprise anyone.
@LAK
As a Kenyan can confirm. My personal favorite is when they compliment me on my “intelligence” because apparently If you are black, fluent English is the mark of true brilliance. Someone should let Mensa know that there are about 40 million geniuses just sitting around in my home country.
I think there’s absolutely nothing wrong or racist about assuming foreigners would have a harder time speaking your language. Unless we’re talking about inmigrants who have lived in a country for decades. Of course they speak the language well, they live there!
I’ve been in that situation before and it is bothersome. I know you’re doing it with good intentions but, really, if I needed you to speak slower or tell me the meaning of a certain word, I’d just ask for it.
It speaks to the more insidious and pervasive issues of xenophobia, cultural ignorance and the unwillingness to learn more about the world we share. It is an ‘us’ and ‘them’ attitude that may not always lead to racism but no racism can exist without it.
@mrsb I’m not sure that having a sister who married a foreigner and attending boarding school makes you an expert on languages. I have to agree with @cee on that one. I am bilingual from a young age but have struggled for many years to become fluent in Spanish, not just to “pick it up” through two years of highschool. And I’m sure if you asked a native speaker of the languages you casually studied, they would by no means consider you fluent in either one.
Oh, I still remember an American guy I met that called me a “genius” because I speak 6 languages.. *eyerolling*… Everyone in my country speaks at least 3… So, what’s with that…
I lived in England (and I consider coming back soon) for quite some time and I was super annoyed when people would treat me like a pre-schooler, afyer they heard I’m Polish. At first I tried to take it as a compliment, but when they were talking really slowly or congratulated me for knowing some basic words or not having a super strong accent, I just thought they expected me to be an idiot.
Anecdote: I know a woman who is super smart and has a P.HD. in chemistry and once at some sort of farmer’s market in England, an English lady heard her speak with a clear Polish accent and approached her asking if she looks for a job as a cleaning lady, because she would gladly hire her. She assumed every Polish woman must work as a help. True story.
*cringes*
But man, do I recognise that and it makes me ashamed.
And the annoying thing is that all the Poles living in the UK that I’ve met (both before and after EU expansion) have been both smarter and better educated than a very large number of Brits. Might be a brain drain thing, but y’know.
The Other Pinky: yep!! I got the ‘speaking English properly must make me more intelligent than the rest of the poor destitute Africans i’d left behind’
Ps: in many ways, we are still the dark continent as far as people knowing anything about us.
Norman Bates’ mother: i’m not surprised by that. East Europeans do get that ‘you must be the help’ treatment.
Sixer: i’ve gone on to become as English as possible, but it still makes me shake my head when I remember some of the idiotic encounters and or meet someone new who has that attitude. You should see the double take when people i’ve spoken with on the phone finally meet me……..
However, all of that said, I definitely see and feel the improvement. Perhaps it’s the multicultural thing. I don’t get so many assumptions made about me like the East Europeans.
Oh good lord. I try not to be shocked at the ignorance, cluelessness, entitlement and prejudice displayed by people on a daily basis but stories like the one you mention in your anecdote still get to me every time.
A friend of mine visited London as a tourist and a guy in a nightclub offered her money for sex, because, you know, all Slavic women are prostitutes.
Cannot understand what would make him make a comment like that which was obviously meant to be a put down.If he can direct a film like Birdman in which English is the main language he obviously does have the verbal skills to come up with a phrase like that.
I think RDJ just did not like his take on super heroes films impacting on the the quality of films being produced over all
Personally I found his cynical attitude about acting during the round table talks quite arrogant
Yep, I know a Polish woman who went to Western Europe and got asked by a stranger at a language school whether she picked fruit for a living… she is a doctor.
One would hope he was joking. Otherwise he’s a lot more ignorant & ignorant than he purports himself to be. Mind you, he’s a Republican, so anything is possible
I watched him on Letterman last night, and realized he is really annoying. He seems to roll his eyes or smirk about everything.
There is a belief that other cultures and people are inferior, held by many in this country, particularly one political group, which RDJ belongs to. Douche.
Except RDJ does not belong to that one political group you seem to think he does. He refuses to state his political preference and has said he is neither Republican nor Democrat (just said that the other day, in fact). And most recently he has attended Hillary Clinton fundraisers. So there you go. Not Republican by any means.
I couldn’t stand George W Bush, but he did nail it when he made the statement about “the soft bigotry of low expectations”that people have of groups of people. I hate it when anyone expresses surprise – whether joking or not – that someone of color or any ethnicity other than white can speak well!
I love that statement too but it was actually coined by one of GWB’s speechwriters, Michael Gerson.
@esmom-I was gonna say that sure as hell doesn’t sound like Dubz.
love the back-handed compliment.
My dad is Lebanese. Apparently Americans entire knowledge of Lebanese culture is street food. People always ask him if he likes kebabs.
And is it another quirk of Lebanese culture to stereotype all Americans…all 300+ million people?
huh
@Joan what are you trying to say? Lol your point isn’t very clear.
What RDJ is saying is pretty offensive and for people who have family who are immigrants (from non-English speaking or non-white countries) they’re able to tell when someone is saying something insulting based on the fact that English isn’t their native language or that they have an accent.
The same thing happens to my sister and I very often. We were born in South Korea but our parents both speak fluent English and we’ve lived in the U.S. off and on since we were teens, so we’ve spoken English as well as Korean basically our whole lives, but people still feel the need to comment on how great our English is simply because we retained our natural accents.
This press tour is just getting worse and worse.
It’s like musical chairs of stupidity. Hemsworth may be the last one standing (or sitting, in this case).
And let’s face it, that’s only because Hemsworth bailed early to go film that stupid Snow White movie.
“Musical Chairs of Stupidity” is perfect. It’s also a great name of a game show sketch for this mess.
Hemsworth played musical chairs on something (SNL?) recently
Thor bores me to tears, but at this point, he’s the only one of the bros that hasn’t gotten in any hot water.
He and Hiddles need to reunite and save this PR clusterf*ck.
ETA: We need Bettany and Spader to aid in the rescue.
They need to stop talking now.
Paul Bettany’s still doing well, and I haven’t heard any rubbish from Scarlett yet, I don’t think.
But apart from them, it’s just been a clusterf*ck of foot in mouth disease.
Where’s Hiddles when you need him?!
I’ve been wondering why James Spader has not been part of this tour but now I’m glad he stayed away.
Wouldn’t it be ironic if the Marvel folks kept him away because they weren’t sure he could stay on message and here their best and brightest (*rolls eyes*) have come down with Superhero-foot-in-mouth disease all over this press tour.
I’m starting to think everyone was distracted when Hiddleston was around the first go around. Now that he isn’t in the picture (his cameo is on the cutting room floor apparently but might be on the DVD extras), the stupidity of the “mightiest heroes” is showing.
I have only ever commented once before on CB, but I had to say something for this.
RDJ is a Grade A Twat. That is all
Yep.
…and your comment was simply eloquent!
+1000
Agree, but he seems to think he is God’s gift, which is annoying…and so is he.
Remember when presenting an award a couple years back (maybe the Golden Globes?), he said all the women nominated in that category were nominated bc they’d all slept with him and he was some sort of lucky charm? I’m paraphrasing…
Gross
Welcome, Dyan.
Yep. Co-sign.
I agree 1000%. Cannot stand him and his super sized arrogant ego. I’m with Inarritu. This comic book movies are destroying movies. Most everything has to be a blockbuster now.
True. You should comment more often.
Standing ovation for Dyan!
And at the beginning of Birdman there’s a pointed jab at RDJ. I guess he did not take it well.
Patronizing and lacking in grace… a true role model.
They’re really killing it on this tour, right?
The more I hear him speak, the more I agree. I love Ironman, but RDJ seems to be an arrogant prick.
Agree and have never liked him. People like a comeback story and I believe this is why his asshole behavior gets a pass. He’s a snarky prick. Maybe he’s a good actor, I don’t really know as I go out of my way to avoid his movies. My true dislike for him kicked in at the Golden Globes when he bitched out Ricky Gervais onstage. Dude, calm down, it was a snarky joke. You know, the kind RDJ makes ALL the time.
Welcome Dyan,I am also a fairly new commentator
I would also like to agree with you about RDJ
After all the furore of the Channel 4 newsman had died down ,perhaps people would like to review just how he reacted to the questions posed.
If I had been lucky in this life to earn the money he does ,one would attempt to be gracious to all questions,even after you have heard them many times
When people show you who they really are believe them!
I agree with you 1,000,000 percent!! What a snob, he is?!
The Goopiness is rubbing onto him.
Was this before or after Krishnan Guru-Murthy picked on him?! Same session, right?
Methinks, once again, the Marvel handlers are doing a spectacularly incompetent job at schooling their celebs during this parade of everything’s-gone-tits-up-ness.
I think it was the same day. He did manage not to say anything ridiculous on Letterman last night. That must have been quite a lecture he got on the trans-atlantic flight.
I think he didn’t know how to answer the question, since he is a cog in the wheel of these superhero franchises. He couldn’t agree with Inarritu because he’d be admitting to ‘ruining to the film industry’. Inarritu made a cogent argument. The best he could have answered was that the Ironman movies were the fun and popcorn variety, but maybe his retort response was slow, and so he pooped out how smart Inarritu was. I think that’s kind of what he was trying to do, in that Inarritu’s command of the language and argument was better than what he could do and that he wasn’t going up against it. Otherwise, all he could say is, “Well, I do it for the money, man”.
I like your interpretation of things, Kiddo.
Once again, you did a great job articulating what I surely could not.
Also, I really loved Innaritu’s comments.
He should have said he does it for the money and Marvel was the only company that would hire him when he got out of prison
It does follow on the from the conversation we had yesterday, though, doesn’t it Kiddo? They’re in the UK. British journalists don’t just ask puff about the product being promoted. They find an angle that ties it in to some cultural or political issue, or places it within an overall cultural context, and ask about that.
Any fool could have told them that if they sat down with any non-showbiz correspondents, they’d get these sorts of questions. There would be a good chance that someone would ask the star of a comic book film how they felt about comic book film industry dominance and what they think of other industry professionals criticising it.
Why wasn’t he properly prepped? That’s what I keep coming back to.
SIxer, I think it would be best not to set up RDJ with those type of interviews. He generally likes to play off persona and not delve deeply. At least that’s my take.
I fail to see how that could seriously be read as a compliment to Iñárritu. He’s a respected director who has filmed succesful films in English. Heck, he won an oscar a few months ago! If a man can direct and co-write several films in English I don’t see how the use of the words “cultural genocide” can come as a shocker.
Like Sean Penn’s words at the Oscars, this was no more than a bad joke made in very poor taste. And RDJ isn’t even his friend (afaik) to talk about him like that.
Josefa, whether it was intended as a compliment or not, it ended up being one because RDJ couldn’t articulate any intellectual counter to the argument.
@Sixer, they may have tried to prep him but he is extremely arrogant and the extremely arrogant do not heed warnings. The “superhero movies serve no purpose” arguments came up the first Avengers go-around (Marvel had Hiddleston field those) so he should have known such potential questions lurk out there and he has been in the industry long enough to know to expect the unexpected, but arrogance rules
Yeah, I thought maybe he got a little stumped as to how to respond to an argument that was persuasively rendered, and unfortunately that popped out of his mouth.
When I read what Inarritu said about Superhero movies I said a silent STFU. He was shading directors who do superhero films. No matter how intellectual the shade it was still shade. There’s a lot of people like me who love these types of films. I grew up on the comics. Alejandro comes off as if he is jealous that these are the types of films that makes money. Another director, I forgot who it was also threw shade at superhero movies. You’re not going to get the super hero audience to go see your films by putting down the type of films that they like. It’s all make believe Alejandra , the public knows this .
Now don’t think I’m defending what RDJ said. I love the man but I was like WTF. He has every right to throw shade back but don’t bring someone’s race, ethnicity or the stereotype of how they speak a language that is not their first language into it. That was tacky. I’m not sure how he meant it but I was very disappointed.
As for Chris Evans and Renner’s remark. Well they were talking about a fictional character, not Scarlet. Tasteless joke but I’m not going to crucify them for it.
Great comment V4Real, you articulated exactly what I was thinking. A major criticism of the oscars this year was that they featured movies that very few people actually saw, with the exception of American Sniper. Using extremes to describe something is not a good way to get your point across. Just like we can probably all agree that equating something to nazism is a poor choice (“that teacher is the term paper Nazi!”), so is comparing something to genocide. Genocide is the systematic destruction of an entire group of people (be they an ethnic group, racial group, religion, etc etc etc). I’m sorry, but superhero movies are not comparable to genocide, nor do I believe that they are doing what he alleges that they are doing with his poor choice of words. There are 15 different awards shows whose sole purpose is celebrating the culture that he Inarritu says superhero movies are destroying.
I love watching superhero movies and I have absolutely no difficulty telling the difference between reality and fiction. They are entertaining and easy. I work hard at my job, and sometimes I don’t want to have to work too hard for my entertainment.
All that being said, what RDJ said is ridiculous.
V4Real, I disagree that there was shade. Inarritu directly confronted Hollywood money-backers on the persistence of the superhero genre. There wasn’t innuendo or sly digs, he expressed his opinion in full light without subterfuge.
It’s clear that a lot of people will pay to see it, as you mentioned that you liked it, but his point was that other work and stories, even though less could be spent but with reasonable returns, won’t be made, because they have figures in spending and profit in their heads, so they won’t budge from a formula. I think there are all kinds of stories that can speak to different people, and although I liked some superhero films, I’ve had enough of them, myself. Variety is the spice of life but Hollywood is a skipping, repetitive CD. I too have tired of loud explosions, noise and gratuitous violence devoid of humanity. His point in the cultural genocide, I suppose, was that a steady diet of this is killing/destroying more thoughtful, deeply human expression, in film and perhaps in some way, the manner in which people view violence as the steady norm in reality.
I don’t know if I see superhero stories as categorically ‘right wing’, but he’s entitled to his analysis and opinion on how this is interpreted. I suppose he views violence as an inherently right wing hawkish bent, but there are plenty of left wing hawks too.
Adding: to see his point about the superhero justified in killing, all one has to do is look at the media and their lack of interest when civilians are killed on foreign soil.
Or how we separate BAD guys from GOOD guys in wars. Not recognizing nuance or varying perspective, only seeing good through the prism of who is on our side at any given time.
@Kiddo I respect your opinion but I still believe this was eloquently put shade. Genocide.. really. He should be careful how he use that word.
It’s the jealousy and dislike of these popcorn flicks bringing in the big bucks over what Alejandro considers quality films. Seems to me he’s a bit put off that the studios are backing these action films over more artistic type of flicks. But I’m sure he understands that the industry is all about making money. Don’t blame the popular guy in class for attracting the most girls over the smarter less popular guy. It’s not the studios fault that the general consensus of the public movie goers are that they want to see Ironman as oppose to Birdman. It’s just plain old fashion jealousy. Still that doesn’t excuse RDJ’S response.
V4Real, I don’t see it as jealousy: wanting diversity in storytelling and studio backing of that, it falls along the same lines as wanting diversity in gender, age, race, etc. He understood the money element because he also mentioned that alternative films cost less to make, but still bring in a profit, although not to the extreme on either ends. His hyperbolic language aside, he does make excellent points. Not everyone in the class wants the popular guy nor finds him attractive, not everyone wants Wendy’s and Taylor Swift 24/7, just because the masses walk through the doors. People are willing to seek out other things. And don’t forget, Hollywood often uses the excuse of what will sell in a self fulfilling prophecy, by only selling what they believe will sell, as evidenced in Sony email hacks.
Innaritu’s comments are idiotic, though. He’s the pretentious ass here. RDJ was taking him down a notch, and deservedly so.
Birdwoman, LMAO.
Erm – I agree, but can we lose “tits-up” as a thing?
“Tits up” is an English colloquialism – A WW2 continuation of “belly up”. Something to do with the shape of a plane? nothing wrong with tits – have them myself – but it is a phraseology used very commonly here.
Personally I love the phrase “gone Pete Tong” which is modern rhyming slang,
I rather like the phrase. God bless the English.
He’s friends with Mel Gibson, what did you expect?
Also… It’s actually starting to get kinda frustrating!!
Sean Penn said something like, “Who gave this guy a greencard?” and now after a very well presented and thought provoking argument Inarritu made, all RDJ could say was, “Wow, I didn’t even know you could string cultural genocide together in a sentence”…..
????????????????????????
These “Jokes” these guys are making towards Inarritu….. *shake my damn head* it’s getting me frustrated. Because it’s going on basic racism now…. Aaaaagh!!
The Greencard remark was directed at american immigration policies, not Innaritu!
I’m Mexican and I’ve heard these “jokes” many times as well as compliments on my English. Let me say this Sh*t. Gets. Old.
Thank you Hmmm.
Please illuminate me on the joke, cause I still don’t get it. What’s so funny about US immigration?
@otherhmmm… i don’t think it’s a joke, i think these are forms social degradation disguised as jokes/compliments…like “Your english is soo good… (for a——)”, “you’re so pretty/smart (for a ——-)”
Oh wait, I wonder how i could string together social and degradation in a sentence without my brain falling over. AAaaaagh!!!
the thing is, Sean Penn’s comment I took it as a joke, (I watched the Oscars, I’m mexican, born and raised my whole life here), but this it’s just insulting…I never thought the day would come when I would start to dislike RDJ, but here it is…
THIS!!!!
I don’t know why everyone gives this guy a pass and fawns over him. I’ve always though that he is overrated as an actor, and is smug and arrogant.
it’s starting to feel like they’re all intentionally trying to piss people off.
Hmmm…you might have something there. This is definitely beginning to look like a pattern.
Is there some reason why the entire cast might be angry at Marvel?
If I were Hiddleston ( I’d be younger richer and more popular…) and had had my scenes deleted, I would be having a bit of a snigger at this PR crap@fest.
Memo from Kevin Feige to all staff:
STOP THE AOU press juggernaut immediately before anybody else says another racist, sexist, bigoted or stupid word! Forty lashes to Whedon for cutting Loki out of AOU and the only actor in the MCU who hasn’t said something offensive and ridiculous out of our marketing.
Tell the Ant-Man director to film Loki scenes immediately to insert into Ant-Man somewhere. Cancel all planned press involving Michael Douglas and Evangeline Lilly because we don’t need Douglas blaming women for his throat cancer or Evangeline spouting anti-feminist slogans. Anything Rudd can’t handle, have Hiddleston do.
Write Loki into every one of the films that are currently in pre-production. Yes, I know Capt America Civil Wars is already crowded but do we really want just Evans, Downey, Renner and Mackie doing our marketing for that?
Perfect! Add Star Lord to the mix of Rudd and Hiddles and you’ll have the Marvel Charm Trinity.
Unless Star Lord decides to go hunting again.
@Lilac, LOL! I was thinking that.
did Mackie do something else or are we talking about his Wendy Williams thing?
And bring in Clark Gregg somehow. Love that dude.
I’m kinda hoping Hiddles stays away right now. He seems to be distancing himself from the Loki image and working really hard to establish himself in other areas. Showing up now to bail out Marvel doesn’t jive with that (IMO). It actually might not matter, but I’d rather see him promoting his potentially really good projects than cleaning up Avenger messes.
It also really doesn’t matter because the press tour is winding down. The movie opens across the US Thursday night/Friday so they’ll make the talk show rounds this week (RDJ did Letterman last night) Olsen, RDJ, Renner, and Scarjo all do Fallon separately over the next week. Fallon never asks difficult questions. He’ll have them lip synching or playing games. They already did Kimmel. They’ll probably split the morning shows over the next few days and then, they’re done. Half of them start filming the next Captain America the first week of May so they won’t be doing promotions.
I want him to move on as well-He can do Thor 3 and the third Avengers but do not want him used just to bail out Marvel.
So I guess everyones forgotten the Whoolywood interview Tom did for Avengers where he said he was “trying to get a bunch of bitches to kneel”, but that seems tame in comparison to the latest foot-mouth comments by RDJ et al.
I can’t wait to see what Cumberbatch will come out with on the Strange junket. Although, after this one, I think Marvel are going to invest in ball gags. I could see them using the Batch’s wax figure with tape recorded answers.
After watching that Oscar race, Feige is probably stocking up on sedatives, both for him and Cumberbatch now, and hoping to sign really, really good co-stars for that film. And ordering scenes with Loki.
*laughing* Props for that image; I find the picture of the biggest dunces strapped in ballgags almost erotic. In a human, nerdy sort of way.
Oh man good luck to Cumberbatch. He has serious foot in mouth syndrome. I don’t think he’s an asshole like Renner or RDJ though. Just stupidly privileged and unaware.
After a year and a half of marriage and a toddler in the mix, he may be going full grumpybatch. His verbal diarrhea could be EPIC.
LOL
Yes, I agree, best remedy – replace all douchebags with Loki everywhere <3
YEEESSS!!!
He’s gross. What he said was condescending and gross. But I’m not surprised. Being part of and responsible for a billion dollar franchise doesn’t make him a good guy, and I’m not sure why anyone thought it did. He has always been problematic.
And I’m over all these superhero and franchise movies. There are too many now. Where did all the romantic comedies and thrillers and period dramas go? And I’m not talking about the end of the year dump of movies for Oscar shilling. There seem to be so few alternatives in the theaters lately.
They’re still making shitty romcoms. The genre just got so bad it’s straight to VOD. I hate romcoms, but mostly because they are so formulaic. I would love to see a movie, even with a happy ending, that isn’t about a woman, who has been so focused on her career/family/whatever that she needs to a man to come along and change her, be the solution to all her needs, etc. I would also appreciate the wedding being the turning point in the movie, not the end-all be-all, but Hollywood gives 0 Fs about what I want.
Indeed. I’ve seen some of the VOD ones and you are right – they are terrible. I miss movies like While You Were Sleeping, When Harry Met Sally, hell even 27 Dresses. Those were light and fun and interesting. Strong female characters.
I just need more options in the theaters. I feel like all we get is horror, franchise, sequel. Occasionally something cool like Inception, but for the most part the landscape for Hollywood movies is monotonous.
Very much agree. I hate romcoms, and comic-based movies. I’m more of a documentaries person.
So yes, not all women want to find a guy to marry, it’s annoying we’re still being labelled as incomplete if we’re single.
A senator in my country said today that women are “worse off these days because after ‘their so called liberation’ no men wants to marry them and males are happy to be single”.
Yes, more period dramas!!!!
HELL YES!!!
Period drama rom-coms, like An Ideal Husband
RDJ!! What are you doing man! How insensitive and dumb can you get?
Is there like a door somewhere in Hollywood where they’re lining up to say dumb shit this week?
Yes, but it’s a trap door leading to wherever they kept Terrence Howard and Edward Norton for their Marvel penance.
They have Anthony Hopkins down there too, both as himself and as Odin.
What did Anthony Hopkins do???
Hopkins went on Leno during the TDW tour and stated that he just learns his lines and says them when prompted without paying attention to what the other actors in the scene are doing or bothering to learn what the plot is.
It annoys me when actors like Hopkins pretend they’re above the jobs they accept. You’re paid to be present, man. Paid a lot. Don’t phone it it because you think it’s stupid. If you think it’s dumb, you shouldn’t have taken the job.
WTF, Marvel? Did you forget the “must be at least basically inoffensive, while retaining personality” rider in everyone’s contracts? First we’ve got the Chris Evans drunky behavior, then the Evans/Renner shit show, and now, the Chairman of the Marvel panel coming across as culturally insensitive, at the least. This is not what I expect from my superheroes.
Lol more like super-assholes!
Are all the “bros” on this press tour insensitive racist/misogynist idiots or do they just get drunk before their interviews? We know this movie will make billions and is review proof, but it is not an excuse for this utterly stupid behavior.
JFC. It’s like they all got together and agreed to show their ass one week before the film comes out. Gross.
This promo tour started off strong and is now one big clusterf**k.
What’s that phrase “Hollywood is like high school- except with money”? That’s what this is essentially- the director, however articulately, p**es all over the movies that, face it, saved RDJ’s career. He gets the opportunity to dig back. They will be laughing like hyenas over it at the next function in H’wood/Cannes wherever.
Off topic- couldn’t disagree with you more on Birdman. Great filmmaking and great performances. And yes, I agree, very surprised at all the foot in mouths this press tour. These guys have all done this multiple times, so why now? I will give Olsen a pass- “gypsy” in the States simply has a much different meaning, and she was unaware. Ruffalo continuing to run with it after Norton pointed out the issue was very surprising to me.
“the director, however articulately, p**es all over the movies that, face it, saved RDJ’s career. He gets the opportunity to dig back.”
THIS. Although I wish RDJ had done it without bringing ethnicity into it.
Wtf is happening with this Avengers: age of ultron tour? Are all the avengers revealing their inner-douche or are they just f-inck drunk and crazy? o_O I’m seriously shocked at how poorly they’re behaving.
right?! geez. 1) what a dumb ignorant small thing for RDJ to say but clearly 2) marvel is pushing these people too hard. RDJ (along with Hugh Jackman) is arguably the most “game” company men in Hollywood. If he is walking out of interviews and saying incredibly stupid stuff like this – something fishy is happening behind the scenes with Marvel. To have almost everyone in the film break bad in the same week seems odd. I mean – they are all a**holes but why now and all at once? And just think – each person in these increasingly bad junkets have 4 or 5 more films MINIMUM with Marvel and it is already imploding!
RDJ just showing who he is. Like I said before, don’t like him.
I don’t like him either, he’s arrogant and fans made him deluded.
They laughed when he said he was above everybody, a God, and this are the consequences.
Arrrrg, pet peeve alert! At least once a week someone comments on my English or asks “where are you from?” Like my mixed race face is some unsolvable puzzle.
It’s rude and hurtful. I’m a citizen, I’m fluent in English and unless my mother is with me I don’t speak Cantonese outside of my home because I am aware it is considered rude.
I’m honestly curious, why would it be rude to speak Cantonese outside of your home? I love hearing different languages. I like listening for the few words I know and trying to pick them out of the conversation. Unfortunately, I only know “horse” and “baby” in Cantonese, and those don’t come up that often.
Well RDJ – despite him being Spanish and knowning some English words – he still has an Oscar and you don’t.
This avengers has shown the world who they really are – Chris & Jeremy douchebags, Mark insensitive, RDJ a drama queen and now a racist. Only Chris Hemsworth and Samuel L are looking good so far.
Scar-jo is doing ok isn’t she? And we really need to cover Cobie Smulders and her ovarian cancer story. And I’m sure Lizzie has something she can talk about.
No. ScarJo is a famous Woody Allen apologist and fan. I won’t forget that ever, no matter what she does.
A lot of people are side-eyeing Cobie’s cancer story (mostly people who have had ovarian cancer or know someone who has). I guess something seems off with it. I love Cobie, though!!!
@A-Key
Don’t forget Scarlett’s Sodastream contract debacle.
I mean who cares about human rights??
Is Samuel L even doing the press tour?
@InvaderTek, Lizzie goofed up on Graham Norton.
Without video of that, I can’t really hold that against her. That term is not offensive in the US, and if she used it not knowing that it is offensive elsewhere but corrected herself that’s not worth nailing her to the wall for it. Did she continue to use it after being told though? That’s a problem, yes but I didn’t see anyone say that’s what happened.
And I forgot about the Woody Allen thing with Scar-jo. uhg.
What is there to side-eye about CS’s cancer story?
he still has an Oscar and you don’t hahahaha thanks…
I’ve been thinking for a while RDJ’s self-saucing god complex might have become over baked. He’s long had a lot of dodgy subtext to his trademark snark but his just the ‘right’ side of charming cocky and his Redemption story (plus huge Marvel fan worship) has given him a pass.
But some of the stuff he said around his son’s drug bust seemed to tip into more obvious self-absorption (and a couple of BI’s questioned if it were just, as he said, “genetics”).
His comment re meeting up with SJP BUT asking Broderick’s permission was odd – but passed off as him being a “gent”.
His new love of Twitter/social media is megalomaniac central.
AND – your point, Maya (sorry for the lengthy detour around the houses) re: an Oscar: The Judge was, I reckon, designed to be his route into worthy film making and out of the one-note RDJ franchise (lots of money and saved his career) lot. The Judge received a very tepid response, with the only note (and Noms) going to Duvall. RDJ was very heavily invested and seemed to see it as his new coming of another age project. And HIS Oscar. Even he has commented before that he always knows he’ll be awarded one eventually (again, glossed over as RDJ just being RDJ – but, I reckon he doesn’t want to JUST be RDJ). There’s a lot he gets byes on but he may now be too obviously crossing lines and pushing his luck because he’s butt-hurt. Innaritu touched a nerve, made worse because RDJ has enough awareness left to know Innaritu is playing at a table at which RDJ, himself, knows he can’t play; despite being a $ box office high roller.
It was likewise when RDJ made some pseudo-psych BS comments about The Dark Knight and threw shade at Nolan over Inception too.
Anyhoo, sorry for length, whatever – this particular time I’m glad to see fewer and fewer are letting him off with the “just being RDJ” catchall excuse because RDJ is not as ‘cockily loveable rogue’ as he’d have the world believe, imo.
/oh, a treat for those talking of English as easy/difficult: https://www.cs.cmu.edu/~clamen/misc/humour/TheChaos.html
Maya – I agree with your general sentiment about Inarritu but need to make a clarification, – Inarritu is Mexican, not Spanish.
Well said Heathering.
Why can’t people just be polite and respect each other’s opinions. What has Inarritu’s native tongue to do with his views on anything?
Who died and made RDJ king of Hollywood? Maybe all those drugs he did early on have come back to haunt him in some sort of alter-ego that thinks he’s all that and a bag of chips. Someone better rein him in. Bad form RDJ, bad form.
Am I the only one that has a problem with describing popcorn movies as “cultural genocide”? It downplays real genocide.
I don’t think it downplays the real genocide although I understand why it might look that way. I think it’s used more as a figure of speech in this context, to emphasize the meaning of his thought.
For me it’s inappropriate for the same reason that saying “____ is rape” trivializes actual rape. The word genocide has connotations of Hitler, Rwanda, the mass killings of Armenians 100 years ago…and to compare that to the Marvel movies (which I think are loud and dumb)?
Any word like “murder” used in that context can be criticized. He lives and breathes scripts and movies, so in a way, I think this allegory is allowed.
My hubs and I really like mindless fun movies, but I need not to read more of the Avengers tour interviews or I am not going to be able to stomach Age of Ultron. What RDJ said is sickening. He cannot comment on what Gonzalez Iñarritu said, but criticizes his accent.
It’s like when children cannot think of a better response in an argument and resort to attack the looks of other child.
The most money Avengers will get is from overseas, he is insulting his market. Idiot.
I see this as a criticism of word choice, not accent. Genocide is a more evocative and inflammatory word than mere murder. Which explains why some Turkish politicians are fighting so hard against those who use genocide to describe the mass killings of Armenians. Let’s take it one step further. Iron Man is a cultural Holocaust. Thor is a cultural Holodomor. Clearly inappropriate and insensitive.
I agree with you about the press tour ruining the escapism of the films themselves.
Yeah, you probably are the only one with that problem.
Nope, i have a problem with it too. How is what he said any different than say, K.Stew who said being chased by paps was like being raped?
@MrsB There’s nothing wrong with Kristen using that expression either.
Well, personally I think there’s a huge problem when somebody compares something like a genre of movies they dislike or a minor personal annoyance like paps to traumatic events that have ruined or taken peoples lives.
For the record, K. Stew got raked over the coals for that statement.
Not at all. I mean, all Mr. Inarritu did was insult people who enjoy the the “cultural genocide” that is the comic book genre.
Comics have been around since hieroglyphs…cultural genocide is such an incendiary term to use.
Yeah, people can be offended, but in reality most of these comic hero films are just one or two steps above Transformers or Expendables. They are better, and I loooove Whedon, but even if they have a huge market, they are not very profound, IMO, not even the Dark Knight.
YEs, Alejandro and other film directors maybe fancy themselves too intellectual, but most of the movies he does he tries to outdo himself. He is friends with Del Toro and Cuaron. Cuaron directed Harry Potter PoA, and Del Toro is into action/comic films.
I think the difference is what he (Alejandro) said, the idea of how the good vs the bad fight happens is square, limited. The bad are rich, powerful and evil, and it happens that the good are too. I still have fun watching them, tho. And there is eye candy for me, so…
Yes. I think the Taliban destroying antiquities is more akin to “cultural genocide” than Batman vs. Superman.
@ Jc126:
Word!
“Cultural genocide” is a term. It does not mean Holocoust or Armenian Genocide, it means destroying cultural heritage. Since Innaritu talks about superhero movies as “poison”, it kind of makes sense.
This.
agree
Cultural genocide as a term implies more than poisoning culture. Cultural genocide implies a dominant culture eradicating a minority culture. It often coincides with actual killing of a people. Like during the suppression of indigenous languages/religions in the Americas by the English/Spanish/Portuguese/Americans/etc. and the suppression of the languages/religions of minorities in the late Ottoman empire by the Young Turks.
The Phantom Menace may have ruined my childhood, but it is not cultural genocide.
@Sam People use euphemisms. He is obviously exaggerating what is happening to Hollywood. What i am saying is “cultural genocide” doesn’t necessarily made by mass killings but by outlawing languages and dominating the local culture. I am sure Armenian culture was throughly damaged after the genocide. Mass killings, ethnic cleansings and genocides lead to cultural genocide. The opposite is not necessarily true. You can be offended by this but i am not. It is like “serious as a heart attack” or “you killed it”. I just can’t see it.
I think using the term genocide to describe movies is off-putting, at a minimum. Especially with the way a dumb turn of phrase or insensitive comment gets a celebrity ripped to pieces on this very site, by some posters, I’m surprised the term “cultural genocide” isn’t seen as offensive by more people.
“cultural genocide” was applied by the Spaniards when they tried to destroy the Aztec culture and temples, marvelous civilization, but they (Aztecs, in particular) were very violent and had very bloody rituals. Not that Spaniards were very nice themselves. Cultural genocide is what those people in the Middle East are doing by destroying ancient historical sites and artifacts, irreplaceable monuments destroyed.
Maybe it is a bit exaggerated, but as others have said, the big action movies are kind of killing other genres. The financing will be harder to come through for other , maybe more significant smaller movies, even romantic comedies, because all the millions are going to action franchises.
Maybe that was what Gonzalez Iñarritu meant. I see it like that, in a way. There are marvelous comedies from the past, great movies form the XX century that do not get old much. (It happened one night os one of my all time favorites, along with While you were sleeping)…
where are new scripts for those type of movies? Not the remaking of… not new versions of old classics! Why are not more of those movies being produced nowadays? The “different” directors and producers have to find financing and make miracles to get those movies done. Tree of Life comes to mind.
@Ennie
“Genocide” is the deliberate killing of a people.
“Cultural genocide” to describe the deliberate destruction of the culture of one people by another people is fine. “Cultural genocide” to describe the out-competition of one aspect of a culture by another aspect of the same culture is stretching the metaphor beyond its limits.
What’s next? Did McDonalds commit “culinary genocide” against Mom and Pop diners?
what happened? its basically like the Avengers are having a competion who will offend most people.
i bet 5$ on Renner to win.
Renner’s slimey face takes the crown.
It’s a race to the sh*tter with Renner with the clear lead.
I feel kind of guilty for enjoying it, but I’ve never really GAF about the comic book franchises.
How is this even remotely supposed to be funny?
Not only this was a tasteless, racist and insulting joke; it also denoted RDJ’s profound ignorance on the matter.
“Genocide” derives from two ancient Greek terms and was only coined for the English language in 1944. Therefore, not only it was widely used in Spanish and, presumably, most Romanic languages well before it had an English translation, but the word has remained pretty much the same in all languages:
ENGLISH: genocide
SPANISH: genocidio
GERMAN: Genozid
FRENCH: génocide
ITALIAN: genocidio
PORTOGUESE: genocídio.
It wouldn’t be difficult at all for Inarritu to grasp the meaning even if he wasn’t fluent in English (which he probably is). Suck on that, Ironman.
I think everyone misunderstood the shade. The shade isn’t that he can’t speak English but the fact that he is Spanish and talking about Genocide. I think that was the shade. It’s sounds like his saying Alejandro should be the last person to be speaking about Genocide given his country’s history.
Then I suppose a lot of other nationals should hold their tongues as well.
Gonzalez Iñárritu Spanish?
He is Mexican. And if you see Mexico, there is a drug war but it is not genocide against a certain ethnicity… Still AGI is very vocal towards Mexico’s policies, he is not quiet, and if he has an opinion, why should he? I do not agree with many of his thoughts, but he does not have to be quiet about anything.
I do not understand blue’s comment.
Even if he was Spanish — which he isn’t way to lump all Spanish speakers together — RDJ wouldn’t be the person to respond. Ask any Native American about what the incoming white people did to them.
I think what blue means is that the Spanish explorers committed genocide against the native population already living in the areas of the Americas that they invaded.
I believe no one should lump all “white people” together, either.
Please explain the history you speak of…
Mexicans (and most Latin Americans) are a mixture, mestizos. Both lines of natives and conqueror immigrant Spanish. Most Mexicans just think of themselves as Mexicans, not “white” or whatever. The culture is a merger too.
Iñarritu does not look particularly “white” for a Mexican, he is taller than the average, but there are boatloads of tall Mexicans in certain parts of the country, there are even taller native ethnicities than others.
Not all native ethnicities look the same.
Oh please. Is there any country in this world that doesn’t have a history of opression and genocide of a certain minority? I can’t think of a single one.
And Iñarritu isn’t Spanish, he’s Mexican. And even if he was, he wasn’t the one killing people, so why the hell should he be held accountable for it?
on the contrary, I think the shade is that Inarritu is mexican, spanish-speaking and despite that he can articulate complicated/cultural terms…
@ Bishg:
This is not a zing, there’s no sarcasm, no condescending remark in my reply in any way. Just a quick correction: it’s PorTUguese (not PorTOguese). It’s my mother language.
I’ll admit that I occasionally enjoy these movies, primarily for the reasons Innaritu stated above-sometimes I just want a simple popcorn film I don’t have to think too hard about-but I think I’m going to have to sit this one out. In the words of Tommy Lee Jones, I cannot sanction this buffoonery.
Tommy Lee Jones had a starring role in Captain America: The First Avenger.
Wow, this press junket is a total mess.
I understand Innaritu’s frustration. He had to make his movie for just 18 million and at least for me it was one of the best movies in the last few years. Marvel throws 250 million on a movie and some of them are just dumb action and CGI spectacles. However calling them right wing or cultural genocide is taking it a bit too far, the first Avengers movie was a great movie (as was Iron Man and Winter Soldier) and Innaritu’s movies are not all great.
As for Downey’s comment – WTF was he thinking. Very inappropriate comment! Looks like he did the interview on the same day as with the guy who wanted to nail him on his drug past. Not that this should be an excuse for his rude comment!
I was rolling my eyes so hard through all of Inarritu’s argument, so I can understand why It bothered RDJ. However, he went about it entirely wrong!! I can’t believe he made that comment. He could’ve given a thoughtful response, but instead comes out looking like a jerk (rightfully so). Still rolling my eyes at Inarittu’s thoughts though, and I don’t even like superhero movies.
There is a very good aticle on Indiewire that explains the ‘right wing’ set up of these films.
It’s not an exact science, but the gist is that in the battle for good vs evil, the incoming entity is very much viewed as the enemy in a them vs us set up which also sees them as aliens even if in some cases they really are aliens (USA term for foreigners is aliens…….!). No one is allowed to dissent from that argument. Eventually, the good entity’s problem solving always boils down to employing an ultra violent, take no prisoners solution to the incoming alien entity.
And the most problematic thing of all is the very black and white, them vs us set up.
This isn’t necessarily the fault of the film makers since the source material is written this way, but people often forget that comics were written at a time when the world was very much in that mindset.
He makes a very good point about the lack of film funding for the smaller films that aren’t necessarily oscar baity. Why would someone invest in a film that will give returns of $80M at best when they can invest in one that will give $800M. It makes it that much harder for studios and film makers to invest their time and energy to make the smaller films.
And we are the losers for it because as much as we complain about the lack of diversity in films, we are also making the comic book genre the only risk worth investing in.
‘comics were written at a time when the world was very much in that mindset.’
Yes, and superheroes themselves are a bit of a fascist fantasy: a strongman who restores order through violence. Some authors can address this issue and make a good yet thoughtful escapist movie, some do not bother to.
Other escapist fiction may make the heroes markedly less violent (Star Wars, Star Trek) or absurd (Burton’s Batman) or willing to engage with the other side (X-men).
That’s because the implications such movies have on other counties. Some people consider their cultures to be very rich, like for example their architecture.
There are many countries with stores or houses that are built beautifully, then a fast food chain rents the space and the whole area starts to become a business, the building is no longer part of their culture.
It’s like an invasion, but not for something better, just for something that gives more money.
I’m calling it, all of the Avengers were replaced by Skrulls . That’s the only way to explain what is going on here.
I feel so bad for the Marvel pr team. They’ll probably end up prematurely gray by the end of this tour, with all of the media bombs these guys are making them scramble to disarm.
He didn’t answer the question.
LOL, duh, because Inarritu is right and RDJ knows this.
This response is the equivalent of walking out of the interview.
WTF.
I mean, WTF.
SIT THE FCK DOWN AND SHUT THE FCK UP.
What surprises me is that RDJ can put together a coherent sentence after all the drugs he’s gulped down in his life. It’s amazing his brain can process anything. Well clearly not as good as it should.
+1!
Wow. Just when you think he cannot fall *any* farther from grace…whoops, there he goes again.
Are the Avengers getting smth put into their coffee?? This promotion is turning extremely embarrassing but also so gossipy.
I can’t help but wonder where the hell is James Spader in all of this? I mean his character is in the title. And he’s always been very quirky but interesting and smart over the years. Just can everyone else and let Spader do interviews.
He and Samuel L. Jackson have both been missing.
Gonzalez Inarritu is three times the man that RDJ will ever be.
The press tour for Age of Ultron has been one mess after another. My god.
He may be more talented than RDJ, but from what I’ve heard of his on set antics, I don’t think he’s any better of a person, and might even be worse.
Rumors are not reality.
@sighs
Exactly.
Inarritu is an ass as well. As brutal as James Cameron for being an on set b_s_ard.
Don’t be too surprised when you hear about fist fights on the set of The Revenant!
Nah, I don’t think so. You should be able to do better than a blind item, but of course you’d believe it. Is it because AGI is Mexican? He’s not a bad guy.
I think you missed my comment on Birdman being one of the best movies in the last few years.
Geez!!!
We’ve already heard them.
I dunno why some are excusing Innaritu’s own brand of crappiness to others!
Tom Hardy yet hit some colleagues before ( Refn,Bethany and Laboeuf) so please…
Inarritu is a mess, and it’s not just rumors or blind items. They are both terrible.
Don’t forget Tom Hardy….he boasts in the interviews to hit some colleagues on set ( Bethany,Labeuf or Refn) but it’s Inarritu the mess for you
AT LEAST INARRITU SPEAKS MORE THAN ONE LANGUAGE, AND HE’S FANTASTICALLY FLUENT IN ALL OF THEM.
What the hell does RDJ speak other than mother tongue dealer slang?
Ugh, I’m out, this really made me snap.
I understand your frustration. RDJ somehow thinks he’s superior to others because he plays a rich superhero.
I think that what RDJ said was ridiculous, but i would say that the same applies to Inarritu given his comments about an incredibly successful genre of film. He believes that he is superior to all those directors who do superhero movies because he directs serious “oscar worthy” movies. Nevermind that, for the most part, no one actually watches them.
It pisses me off SO MUCH when someone who is monolingual talks s**t about a multilingual person’s English.
^ This.
I love RDJ and think he’s a brilliant actor and would love to see him moving back into fascinating roles. BUT he can be a real prick or very snippy and difficult guy. I think he is narcissistic. His wife admitted he loves to be the center of attention and loves immediate attention and that’s fine with her, as she doesn’t, and prefers compliments that she hears about later, not to her face. She handles him and handles him well and why they work. He depends on her and the reason why he’s so stable today.
But I’ve seen him over the years when he is in a mood and the other side to his personality comes out and it’s not pretty. But it never stops me from loving him as an actor. I don’t expect my actors or directors that I enjoy to all be Tom Hanks type people, who are always what you see, a great person.
This is just another example of RDJ’s snide, pointed comments when displeased with someone or something.
Maybe it’s a good thing he gets knocked down a few steps. He is going overboard with his self centric shtick lately. He needs to do some good movies and give some interesting performances again – most of his recent stuff was below par.
I know exactly what you mean. He’s like a litter overactive boy who hasn’t learnt to
Great comment, Jayna. I like RDJ as well, but he seems like a huge pain in the ass. I bet his wife has the patience of a Saint.
In the clip it looks like RDJ is being tongue in cheek. It’s hard to tell with him.
So I suppose mastering a 2nd language is not something he is familiar with. I’m so annoyed when people tell me how surprised they are with my English and accent just because I speak spanish as a first language. Speaking spanish and being bilingual is not mutually exclusive, Robert.
Would he say the same thing about Marion Cotillard, Christoph Waltz or any other european whose native language is not English? I doubt it.
I’m disappointed that instead of considering Iñárritu might have a point he decides to passively attack him. This press tour has given us a torrent of unfortunate quotes.
I really enjoyed reading Inarritu’s comments. Very thoughtful and interesting point of view.
As for RDJ, I’ve always been a big fan but damn what a condescending and dickish thing to say. This press tour has been a whole lot of fuckitude.
I didn’t watch or see the entire interview so I don’t know what else was said or if this one line was taken out of context in the sense that he might have been actually saying how intelligent and eloquent he thought Inarritu was to be able to express himself so well in a language that is not even his first language (when so many who are born here can’t seem to string a sentence together without sounding like an idiot). Otoh, I agree that RDJ can be a snippy ego-manical jerk sometimes as well, so I don’t know. Maybe it was truly an underhanded insult.
As for the idea that comic books are very right wing, I disagree. Marvel, in particular, X-men, which came out in the early 60s I think, tackled a lot of tough issues about prejudice and racism and how you can fight it two ways…by trying to turn the other cheek and show them that you are not that different and good people like Professor X . He felt that it was only fear and ignorance that made them cruel and that they could learn to see that everyone, while different, could work together to make the world better. So he and Jean, etc., fought to try to change the laws legally, whilst helping young mutants by finding and bringing them to his school to help them learn and control their abilities and feel “normal” among others like themselves…or the second way, like Magneto and his minions, many of them mutants too physically different to fit in, and who were often horribly teased and abused growing up, you want to just wipe them out because you are angry and hate them for the pain they’ve caused you. Clearly the comics tried to show that Prof X’s way of promoting understanding and forgiveness rather than hatred and violence is the better way, but they also made Magneto very sympathetic and readers were able to understand why he feels the way he feels, especially with his past history of having been a Holocaust survivor and losing loved ones to that horror as well. Add to that, the strong role of women “superheroes” and intelligent and not just secretaries, which at the time was pretty radical, and I think that Marvel was pretty progressive! The superhero is a symbol, an archetype and was something that, at the time a lot of these comics originated, a lot of people needed…someone to look up to as a symbol of good. It was a time after war and people needed some strong lines in the sand drawn, needed “heroes”, especially young boys. Plus they were fun. Imaginative and interesting. Gosh, I sound like a total geek! LOL!
The one thing I do agree with though, is the extended-childhood “adults” that you see today. There are a lot of grown men and women who emotionally seem much more like children and act more like children than adults. It’s like they’ve never grown up. You know…the ones living in their mother’s basement at 40, playing video games while Mom does the laundry and makes him snacks. There are lot of adults going to animated movies that in the past were movies that just kids would go to. Not sure exactly why. Some of it might be that in the past with the Draft and going away to war and less luxury, people had to grow up father, if you will. There is less independance now. More things to keep people in a childlike phase. Don’t get me wrong…there’s nothing wrong with collecting comics or going to see a animated movie, it’s beyond that though…it’s the lack of emotional maturity and responsibility you see in some people who, for instance, neglect their babies because they are busy playing video games. Of course not everyone is like that, but there is a large set of people who seem like they never really grew up and became “adults”…at least not in the way it used to be defined.
I did not read all of your writing, but I know that X-men comics and movies are against racism. What I get from Iñarritu’s quote is that the “good vs bad” war is fought by just a few people, and the good protective ones are still rich and powerful, resourceful.
That stinks of privilege, of course. The good ones “decide”, manage and act without taking into account people or masses. Of course it is just an action movie, but if you see it in that light, what he said makes sense.
The heroes are acting on a whim, in a very small group and people are just witnesses, waiting to be saved, just like a damsel in distress waiting for her prince to appear.
I disagree with Iñarritu, tho, because cartoons and manga are, IMO, an important part of culture not. It is maybe a more superficial fantastic one. Maybe in the same realm as Science fiction and action novels are. I like them, and I know many of my friends have grown out of them, I am 45 and I love Miyazaki and some other Japanese style cartoons, American action movies and heroes, etc. I am not a super fan, tho, and my preferences are very varied among other genres and particularly old classics. What you said about responsibility I think is lacking values in general, but that is from the upbringing, parents not being able to instill values in their children, and getting angry if others try to.
There are some old teens who never become adults, but that would be an issue pertaining to economy, I guess.
.
I have to get out of these forums before they suck all the fun from the Avengers films, really!!
But is it really any different than adults who are way too in love with disney? Or fairy tales? Or vampires/werewolves/ghosts? The paranormal? Facebook? Instagram?
Is the parent ignoring their kid playing video games any different than the one ignoring their kid because they’re taking selfies for Instagram? Or talking and drinking with their friends? Watching football nonstop? It’s really just a different interest.
Most people I know that are crazy into comics are the best parents. Because they’re reading the comics with their children. Watching the movies and discussing the plots with their children. Playing video games with their children. More than I can say for the real housewives or whatever that $hit is.
Off Topic but I was once told by a US supplier that my English was very good in a surprised tone.
I am Irish.
RDJ…just no. Sorry but, no.
I’ve been asked what country I’m from when I traveled through southern states.
Ha! On that note, I’m from the southeast and apparently have a fairly pronounced accent. When I lived in Hawaii, I can’t count how many times somebody told me they were surprised at how cultured/open minded/educated I was.
Accents are tricky. Some people (non spanish speakers) think I’m speaking italian when I talk in spanish. I know both accents are very similar, but it still surprises me, especially when travelling through my country and speaking in spanish to other spanish-speakers. It’s strange.
I get that too (also Irish, though I’ve lived in the US for a long time now). And they also act surprised that I’m a doctor because “Irish people don’t become doctors.” No, we grow up and become leprechauns and fairies.
Yep, when working in retail through college I was asked by many many tourists visiting Dublin “do you know what Visa is?”
*blank stare*
No we trade in farm animals, that’ll be two goats and a chicken please!
I think it was awkward, but Kiddo got it right. I don’t always agree with RDJ, but respect the hell out of the man. He’s still OK in my book.
Oh for gawd’s sake, can we stop all this internet outrage. I am so sick of people being offended by this and by that and accusing this person or that person of being a racist or sexist. Just look at the stories on this site this week – all about OUTRAGE. Give it a rest please.
The truth is Irriautu is an abusive freak – Tom Hardy punched him in the face when he got too abusive on the set…and even though he’s won a bunch of oscars, he’s got to insult the bread and butter of others. Okay, so you hate superhero movies,,,,move along please. Bravo RDJ, that was a brilliant shade on one of the most egotistical scumbags in Hollywood.
No it wasn’t brilliant shade, wth? It was racist and demeaning.
Tom Hardy also hit Paul Betthany,Shia Laboeuf and Refn ( Bronson’s director) on set so I think you could be more nice on Inarritu and less nice with Hardy.
Inarritu possibly being a douche does not negate RDJ’s douchiness in anyway. Two douches do not make a right. Or something like that.
Can you blame RDJ for (presumably) being offended that someone called the genre of movies he makes “cultural genocide”, though? I’d be pretty pissed if someone called my work genocide.
Brilliant shade, yes, saying Mexican people speak poor English. Who would’ve thought of that?
And for someone who complains about outraged, bitter people, you don’t sound particularly laid back…
I thought he was being sarcastically condescending. Not a good mix at all.
Occasionally I come across someone who seems surprised that English is my 1st language, but you know. I’ve learned not to take any of this stuff personally. To paraphrase Kelly Clarkson, they say that because they don’t know me. I’m awesome!
What’s interesting to me is RDJ’s comment underlines just how opaque stars are, how controlled the image. I have absolutely no clue who this guy actually is, or any of them really. RDJ’s comment seems like typical internet trolling really. Who knows, he may spend a lot of time there, trolling comments.
As for Inarritu, yes. He’s definitely got a point. I pretty much stay away from comic movies – which is to say I don’t GO to the movies much these days because that’s all that’s out there it seems. Action movies in particular have some pretty ugly politics.
How does being a prig look so much better on RDJ than Evans and Renner?
I think they are all just showing exactly who and what they are.. I’m not surprised or shocked.. mainly because sad to say some people can’t handle this kind of fame or money. It goes to their heads and they start to think they are the fantasy characters they play. RDJ has gotten very arrogant. He loves the attention. that’s fine.. but he is not Tony whatever.
Gross comment..and looking at the interview he was not joking.. But I don’t see many of his circle of friends being those of color.. No not saying he is racist. I’m saying he has a very defined circle of friends..and maybe he should expand it so he knows how dumb that remark was. I’m sure his reply will be in line with who he seem to be as well.
I’ve been saying the same thing for a while except you said it better.
Is this the week to let your inner asshole shine? Did I miss the memo? What is up with the Avenger’s cast?
@ I Choose Me:
Do you trust this fellow CBitch? Stop reading these articles and go see the movie.
Natasha Romanoff is not objectified AT ALL in the movie — unless you have a problem with her breats (they’re gigantic in it — but, as we all we know, she was pregnant during most of, if not the entire production). There’s one funny scene where her breats play a part, but I can’t tell what happens or I’ll end up spoiling it for you. Didn’t seem offensive (to me, at least).
Her relationship with Banner is tender and I was very moved during one of the scenes featuring them.
P.S.: I saw the movie at the premiere here (April 22 — all four screenings were sold out, the one I attented in was packed, people clapped at the end, the children who were two rows ahead of me laughed their asses off). I’m planning to see it again this weekend but I’m afraid to face the typical weekend crowds.
Thanks Eve. I was starting to get worried but I’ll take your word for it and go see the film.
@Eve, I’m taking an 86 year old to see it Thursday night.
@ Lilac:
There’s one scene — just ONE — that may be interpreted as sexist. I, however, found it funny. Everybody in the theater (men, women, children, old people) laughed out loud.
*HUGE SPOILER AHEAD, STOP READING RIGHT NOW IF YOU CAN’T HANDLE SPOILERS*
During that club party you’ve probably already seen in the trailers, when they’re trying to lift Thor’s hammer, Ultron shows up to rain on everyone’s parade. Natasha, trying to escape his lasers or whatever those things were, jumps over a counter. Bruce Banner jumps, too (right after her, if I remember correctly). She lands on her back, his face lands right between her breats.
Cue the outrage.
No? Yes?
I didn’t find it offensive because it’s supposed to be accidental/unintentional and both characters are extremely embarrassed by what just happened.
P.S.: And this kind of sh*t happens in real life, I can guarantee you. It happened to me once — I was standing up/getting ready to get off the bus, but right when it stopped, I (who am 5’2″) couldn’t reach the bar to hold and fell onto a guy’s lap.
I love superheroes movies, but Iñarritu gave very well-thought arguments and I can totally see his point. For me superhero movies are just popcorn fun and escapism, and if they add some not-very-well-thought social commentary to it, it’s just because a “good guy for no reason fighting the evil guy who just wants to rule the world” plot is way too simple and uninteresting. It has to be a little more complex than that.
On RDJ’s joke, it’s just so dumb. As a native latin woman I’m not exactly offended, just pissed off even a smart, talented and accomplished man like Iñarritu gets to be demeaned because of his herritage.
I find it interesting what Inarritu said about the way superheroes are portayed. There is an American expat who lives in my country and writes a blog and he said that the Batman/ Iron Man kind of superhero would never work in our country. A rich guy who helps the poor out of the kindness of his own heart? No chance. He would be the villain. That is why we never had our own superheroes in comics in the traditional sense. I think the good rich guy is a very American thing.
The most popular comics here are the Alan Ford ones.
I agree with you. I think it is very insulting and condescending to make it about his language skills. What is that about? Someone could say they are shocked he can put together a sentence after all the damage he did to his brain with all those drugs he did.
Yes, exactly. I’d like to see RDJ use that phrase in a sentence (correctly). So fed up with these entitled low-brow creeps.
I thought he was referring to how the Spanish conquistadors destroyed the cultures of the Mayans
+1 Prolly too subtle
I´ve loved RDJ for 15 years and it´s not gonna change anytime soon but….OMG shut up.
Dude, just because most Americans are too lazy to learn another language and be fluent and eloquent in it, doesn´t mean the rest of the world is too.
The way I see it, he threw a shade at the Spanish colonial empire and at its cultural genocide of the Americas and less at Innaritu’s accent per se.
I find Innaritu’s remark rather offensive since sure it is a hyperbole but it diminishes the real cultural genocides performed around the world.
You’re giving RDJ way too much credit.
God two sexist idiots, one who likes slurs, another who can’t find other topics beyond his wife and now this. They need to just shut this promo tour down while they’re ahead. Charlie Cox don’t let me down please, be the worthy marvel actor.
Topics beyond his wife?
“When people show you who they are, believe them the first time.
~Maya Angelou
English teacher here…..side note…….English has deep roots in German! Difficult, no matter the student! But it also depends on what your native educational level is. Educated in your country? English will be easier for you! Not much formal education? It’s going to be challenging, but not impossible. As for RDG…he needs to shut his mouth! And Alejandro? OMG…mad crush!
Honestly, I think RDJ is awesome beyond words. I get so sick of these film snobs looking down their noses at fun entertainment. That’s exactly what Inarritu is, a snob. Do I think RDJ is a racist? No. He insulted him and meant to, I can get on board with that. Superhero movies are right wing?? OH SHUT UP. Comic book movies are fun and fun to watch. This reminds me of when The English Patient won all those awards, I couldn’t get past the first 15 minutes.
It’s fine to disagree with him, no need for RDJ to get personal though. what about a more eloquent response?
Ignorant as F**ck.
That was a really narrow minded comment from RDJ.
Speaking English fluently and writing in it perfectly is sometimes mutually exclusive. Celebrities are good example of this; most can speak really well but only some can write a grammatically correct speech or public letter which is why more often than not they have someone who does such things for them. A good number of people can’t write perfectly in English even though they are quite articulate in it. The fact is written English or any language for that matter is more formal than spoken one (which is usually informal) and hence a little more difficult cos there are ‘rules’ that has to be applied when writing in it.
On a lighter and superficial note, I think Spanish is the sexiest language especially when singing in it. I would like to learn it.
By the way am Nigerian so no sentiments whatsoever.
I’m not getting his “sense of humor” at all and as spanish native i feel offended!
I just want to point out that RDJ didn’t receive the whole lengthy and eloquent argument from Iñarritu, I read he was only asked about his opinion about main message–superhero movies being cultural genocide. As far as I see from the video, he was quite surprised at the comment and he didn’t respond other than the comment about him being bright for coming up with the phrase as a non native English speaker. He’s not dismissing completely the opinion, in fact he didn’t even properly answer the question. So yeah, it might be a bit insulting, but it’s not the huge thing you’re making it out to be. Indeed it is impressive for someone to have such a complete grasp of English language and culture to put together a phrase like this, considering English in not their native language. Also, I would like you to remember what he said right before that: “I respect the heck out of him”
No way, let’s burn him in a pyre!
Yours sincerely,
Stannis Baratheon.
I read it in the expectation of having something to defend RDJ with in the end, but, all I can come up with is… his comments are racist and ignorant to say the least.
I think it’s time for Marvel to give him some sit down, the man has been working non-stop for the last years and his charm is starting to wearing down. The do*che is coming out strong on him lately. And I’d hate to give up on my love for RDJ.
Also… a comment as ignorant and idiotic as this one risks the alienation of a serious chunk of market.
Shut up, Mr. Downey. Take some sleep and rest a little.
Sounds like an off-the-cuff kind of comment said without too much forethought or derogatory intent . I’m sure to some extent RDJ agrees with Alejandro, but hey, he’s making the bucks so he doesn’t have the luxury to philosophize about how inane the whole genre is.
c´mon Marvel, let the women run the tour. Stop these idiots males right now.
What women? They only cast one here. Enough said.
Actually, there are three: Scarlet Johansen, Elizabeth Olsen, and Cobie Smulders.
DAfuq?????
Rent Blutiful with Javier Bardem directed by Alejandro G. Inarritu.
I would think RDJ would have been able to come back with a funny zinger.
I, too see RDJ’s comment as snarky shade. And no, I don’t take that as sarcasm when it’s a nasty put-down like that. Sarcasm isn’t so demeaning. I also don’t see how RDJ is so brilliant. He always plays the same character with the same mannerisms. It’s like he’s playing smug RDJ with a dash of Goop. And the header picture of him looks like he thinks he’s just the greatest thing in the world. I can see his huge ego in it. You’re just a way overpaid actor, buddy. Get over yourself.
Sounded xenophobe to me. I liked him before, but after seeing this I felt like we had the chance to see a very ugly side of him.
How many foreign languages does Downey Jr speak?
I like RDJ.
BUT, I watched that video and his comment is despicable. Disgusting. Ignorant. Ridiculous.
I have NO idea why he made that comment but my respect for him just dived down the drain.
I might be in the minority but I think RDJ is extremely over-rated.
I’m very disappointed in him. I thought he had more class. I gues I was wrong.