Robert Downey Jr. was reading for a role that went to Jude Law, before realizing he wasn’t even in contention for the role
Robert Downey Jr. is not an actor someone would overlook if he were to want to join their production. However, it seems that 2006’s Nancy Meyers hit The Holiday did just that, and what the Iron Man alum did in retaliation can only be labeled as a tad bit petty
Robert Downey Jr. in a still from Iron Man
Jimmy Fallon and Robert Downey Jr. were asked to read for characters that would eventually end up going to Jack Black and Jude Law. The Holiday is a beloved comedy starring Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz. Fallon and Downey were under the illusion that they might be getting the role, but the reality was far from the truth.
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Robert Downey Jr. was just a seat filler
Robert Downey Jr. (via @robertdowneyjr | Instagram)
While reading for Jude Law’s part. Downey thought there was a shot for him in the production. The actor was so confident that he would get the role, that the Iron Man alum even ended up boasting about his English accent, claiming it was better than Jude Law. However, Winslet promptly put the actor in his place, correcting the actor by saying:
“That was the worst British accent I’ve ever heard.”
It turns out that Fallon and Downey were never even in the running for the role. Nancy Meyers, the director of the film just needed someone to do the lines with Kat Winslet and Cameron Diaz, and Downey and Fallon just happened to be close by. This was still two years before Iron Man, so Downey was not exactly as bankable in the industry as he would be, especially when compared to Law.
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Robert Downey Jr. decided something had to be done in retaliation
Robert Downey Jr as Iron Man
Downey decided that even though he did not get the role, he would want something for the effort he had put in. Probably speaking in jest (or being completely serious, it’s hard to tell with him), the actor decided to raid the minibar and take all the gummy bears they had to offer. Before leaving the hotel, Downey said :
‘I’ll check out now, but I’m taking the gummy bears from the minibar.’”
Whether the Due Date alum took the gummies or not is not confirmed yet, but The Holiday ended up being one of the most influential films directed by the Parent Trap director, Nancy Meyers. With films such as The Intern and The Father of the Bride trilogy, Meyers has constructed a filmography that appeals to the warm fuzzy feeling that winter and Christmas inspire in the audience. Honestly, is it even possible to see Downey in that light?
