Avengers: Endgame Producer Wants Oscar Attention For The Blockbuster

Tony talking to Pepper in Endgame

Avengers: Endgame hit theaters back in April, and was a massively successful venture for the studio. The Russo Brothers' blockbuster exceeded all expectations, with a story that packed plenty of action, while also being an emotional character-driven story. The Original Avengers got particular time to shine, especially Robert Downey Jr.'s Iron Man. His performance was so powerful that fans are wondering if he's got a chance at the Oscars this year.

The Russo Brothers have been vocal about their love for RDJs Endgame performance, recently claiming it might be worthy of Academy Award attention. Marvel producer Trinh Tran recently spoke to this possibility, saying:

I mean that would be great, right? I think, with RDJ, he spent the last decade bringing this character to life since the first Iron Man. To pay tribute to him in Endgame and where his journey ends, I hope everybody embraced what we felt emotionally was impactful to his character. I think that the Russos mentioning that it would be great that he gets acknowledged for the endeavor that he did.

Robert Downey Jr. was breaking new ground when he debuted as Tony Stark in 2008's Iron Man, as cinematic universes and shared storytelling had never been utilized at theaters. He's played the role through a whopping ten blockbusters, with Avengers: Endgame serving as his final bow. And it was one hell of a last appearance.

Trinh Tran's comments to Comic Book pay special tribute to just how much Robert Downey Jr. has done as Tony Stark throughout the last decade and change of filmmaking. RDJ truly IS Iron Man, and Avengers: Endgame was a particularly nuanced and emotional performance, as we followed the character through a massive arc and five years.

Related: Should Robert Downey Jr. Get An Oscar Nomination For Avengers: Endgame?

Fans were reduced to puddles watching Tony Stark as a father, especially when he died in order to snap Thanos and his forces out of existence. Iron Man made the ultimate sacrifice to bring order back to the galaxy, proving what a hero he truly was. And Robert Downey Jr.'s performance through it all was captivating and powerful.

The conversation about Robert Downy Jr. Oscar odds at the Oscars was kickstarted by The Russo Brothers themselves. While filming a video promoting Endgame, Joe Russo was quoted saying:

His cumulative body of work from these movies is staggering. If you look at the work over just even the last four [Marvel] films he’s done, it’s phenomenal. He deserves an Oscar perhaps more than anyone in the last 40 years because of the way that he has motivated popular culture.

It seems that not only is Robert Downey Jr.'s performance in Avengers: Endgame being considered, but his entire long tenure at Marvel Studios. He helped change the way comic book movies are made, serving as the inspiration for countless actors to don a superhero mantle, and for varied studios to create their own cinematic universe.

It might be an uphill battle for RDJ to get a nom for Avengers: Endgame, as the Motion Picture Academy hasn't always been generous when it comes to comic book movies. But there has been a change in recent years, as movies like Black Panther and Logan were given nods in major categories. We'll just have to see if the voters are as impressed with the actor's performance as Iron Man to give him the nomination his co-workers feel he deserves.

Avengers: Endgame is available digitally now, and will arrive on DVD and Blu-ray on August 13th. In the meantime, check out our 2019 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.

Corey Chichizola
Movies Editor

Corey was born and raised in New Jersey. Graduated with degrees theater and literature from Ramapo College of New Jersey. After working in administrative theater for a year in New York, he started as the Weekend Editor at CinemaBlend. He's since been able to work himself up to reviews, phoners, and press junkets-- and is now able to appear on camera with some of his favorite actors... just not as he would have predicted as a kid. He's particularly proud of covering horror franchises like Scream and Halloween, as well as movie musicals like West Side Story. Favorite interviews include Steven Spielberg, Spike Lee, Jamie Lee Curtis, and more.