Summary:
- Robert Downey Jr. clashed with director David Fincher on the set of “Zodiac” due to Fincher’s demanding style, leading Downey Jr. to protest by leaving jars of urine.
- Despite his frustration, Downey Jr. acknowledged Fincher’s intelligence and adapted to deliver a strong performance.
- “Zodiac” received critical acclaim, showcasing the effectiveness of Fincher’s meticulous approach.
In Hollywood, tensions between actors and directors can lead to behind-the-scenes drama. Robert Downey Jr. found himself in such a situation, reportedly so frustrated with his film’s director that he protested in his own hilarious and unique way.
This incident occurred in the late 2000s, before RDJ starred in his first superhero movie (Iron Man), during his return to the industry after overcoming drug abuse.
Surprisingly, the director he clashed with was none other than David Fincher, known for masterpieces like Fight Club.
Robert Downey Jr.’s Unique Approach to Working with David Fincher
David Fincher, renowned for his meticulous approach to filmmaking with hits like Gone Girl and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, is known for demanding numerous takes.
This slow-paced method can be challenging for fast-paced actors like Robert Downey Jr., who prefers a more spontaneous approach.
During the filming of the 2007 critically acclaimed movie Zodiac, Downey Jr. reportedly faced significant difficulties with Fincher’s style.
According to Fincher, as shared in Keanu Reeves‘ 2012 documentary Side By Side, Downey Jr. voiced his frustration:
“[RDJ] came up to me and said, ‘I can’t work like this, I never get to go to my trailer, I can never get my shit together. I’m on my feet 14 hours a day.’”
Downey Jr. didn’t stop at voicing his discontent; he took his protest to another level by leaving mason jars of urine on the set.
This unique form of protest may seem surprising for most actors, but for RDJ, known for his creative solutions, it fits his personality perfectly.
Downey Jr.’s Witty Take on Fincher’s Directing Style
In an interview with the New York Times, Downey Jr. admitted that working with Fincher was often unbearable but acknowledged the director’s brilliance:
“Sometimes it’s really hard because it might not feel collaborative, but ultimately filmmaking is a director’s medium.”
Despite the challenges, Downey Jr. managed to find a way to work with Fincher, humorously saying:
“I just decided, aside from several times I wanted to garrote him, that I was going to give him what he wanted. I think I’m a perfect person to work for him because I understand gulags.”
Working with a legendary director like David Fincher is undoubtedly tough, but the hard work paid off. Zodiac holds a 90% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, reflecting its critical acclaim.
You can watch Zodiac on Paramount Plus.
