‘This Isn’t Some Slapstick’: Oliver Stone Recalls When Robert Downey Jr’s Antics On Natural Born Killers Irked Him

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As an ardent admirer of Oliver Stone’s cinematic masterpieces and a connoisseur of behind-the-scenes tales, I find myself utterly captivated by his anecdote about the making of Natural Born Killers. The story of the director’s verbal tussle with Robert Downey Jr., a brilliant actor known for his unconventional methods, is nothing short of intriguing.

30 years ago, Oliver Stone worked on the filming of Natural Born Killers, a movie marking its anniversary this year. In a recent chat with Esquire, Stone shared his struggles with Robert Downey Jr.’s unscripted performances during production. Known for his Academy Award win and portrayal of an offbeat tabloid reporter, Downey Jr. occasionally generated unique ideas that were unconventional or even odd.

In one instance, Downey improvised by sticking the tail of his red-stained white shirt out of the fly of his pants, creating an illusion of bloody genitals. This move annoyed the actor from Platoon so much that he accused Downey of spoiling his movie.

According to his memory, the director sternly said to the Iron Man actor, “Come on now, that’s too excessive! You’re pushing it, Robert. You’re jeopardizing my film! Abandon that silly concept. This isn’t… This isn’t a farce like slapstick.”

Following their heated argument, Downey fastened his jacket and resumed his duties. Upon further reflection, the director agreed with the concept. He instructed the actor to repeat the “phallic gesture,” and the scene was eventually shot as planned.

Despite the short appearance of Downey’s impromptu scene in the movie, it didn’t cause much concern for the director as the film “Natural Born Killers,” released in 1994, faced numerous controversies due to its intense depictions of violence and graphic content.

The film was criticized for glamorizing violence and even blamed for inspiring real-life violent incidents, allegedly creating the copycat killers who replicated the lead characters of Natural Born Killers. 

In a different portrayal, Woody Harrelson and Juliette Lewis took on the roles of Mickey and Mallory, a pair of psychopathic lovers who embarked on a lethal rampage to validate their distorted affection for each other. The performer known for his role as Oppenheimer played Wayne Gale, a tabloid journalist who inadvertently added to the glorification of the mass murders. Despite its highly contentious subject matter, the film has since become a cult favorite and still receives accolades years later.

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2024-09-01 18:08