Robert Downey Jr. considers Robert Downey Jr. has starred in numerous movies throughout his career, yet Kiss Kiss Bang Bang stands out for the Academy Award winner. Released in 2005 as Shane Black’s directorial debut, the neo-noir black comedy crime film follows thief Harry Lockhart (Downey) as he accidentally auditions for a movie role that lands him in the middle of a murder investigation in LA with an investigator known as Gay Perry (Val Kilmer).

Robert Downey Jr.’s 2005 comedy movie leans into its satirical tone, especially with Robert Downey Jr. was perfectly cast as Iron Man, especially as the actor connects deeply to the role of Tony Stark. It's interesting that Robert Downey Jr. has named Kiss Kiss Bang Bang as the reason for his role as a comic book superhero in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Robert Downey Jr. Once Named Kiss Kiss Bang Bang "The Best Film" He Has Ever Done

Downey Calls The Film A “Calling Card” Into The MCU

According to his interview on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast, Robert Downey Jr. stated that Kiss Kiss Bang Bang was “in some ways, the best film I've ever done.” The actor reflected on the film, saying that even though it bombed at the box office, earning just $15.8 million on a $15 million budget, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang was his “calling card into the Marvel Cinematic Universe.” Downey explains that, “Jon Favreau saw it, and he said, 'This guy could do an action movie,'” and that led to his role in 2008’s Iron Man. Check out the interview below:

Iron Man was revered as Robert Downey Jr.’s career comeback, and it launched the Marvel Cinematic Universe as we know it. Downey's casting as Tony Stark was pivotal for the new era of superhero movies, and his legacy has been cemented in the genre because of it. Furthermore, the actor has appeared in movies since he was just a child, and his career comprises a wide-ranging list of films and TV series. For Robert Downey Jr. to say that Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is “the best film” he has ever done is extremely high praise.

Without Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Robert Downey Jr. Would've Never Played Iron Man

Jon Favreau Saw Downey's Potential In Shane Black's Movie

When the movie was released in 2005, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang flopped at the box office, barely breaking even with its $15 million budget. However, without Shane Black's film, Robert Downey Jr. likely would never have played Iron Man. Securing a lead role in a movie alongside Val Kilmer showcased that Downey was ready to undertake more prominent roles in the action and comedy genres in 2005. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang prepared Robert Downey Jr. for his Iron Man role by demonstrating that the actor was at the top of his game, having made a brilliant comeback after overcoming addiction.

Robert Downey Jr.’s previous skillset, as well as his action-comedy skills as Kiss Kiss Bang Bang’s Harry Lockhart made Jon Favreau believe that Downey was the perfect choice to play Tony Stark, and it paid off. Iron Man is beloved, and Downey has enjoyed an immensely lucrative career in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Marvel Studios will benefit from Downey's charismatic energy once more; even though Tony Stark died in Avengers: Endgame, Robert Downey Jr. will return as Doctor Doom in Avengers: Doomsday.

Robert Downey Jr. And Val Kilmer Are Both Amazing In Kiss Kiss Bang Bang

Kilmer And Downey Have A Fantastic Comedic Chemistry

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang not only prompted Jon Favreau's decision to cast Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man, but it is also a fantastic film. Downey thrives as Kiss Kiss Bang Bang's narrator, leading the audience through a comedically confusing and unreliable narrative which satirizes the very genre the movie is a part of. However, without Val Kilmer’s Gay Perry to bounce off of, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang would have been a completely different film. It's Downey’s and Kilmer’s chemistry that makes the movie so funny.

It's not hard to see why Downey now regards Kiss Kiss Bang Bang as “the best film” he’s done.

Throughout Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Gay Perry is effectively tortured by Harry Lockhart, whose clumsy nature constantly interferes with his serious murder investigation. This comedic back-and-forth produces some of the film's best line deliveries, especially by the sarcastic Val Kilmer. With an 86% Rotten Tomatoes score, a legacy as an underrated classic, and a history as a “calling card into the Marvel Cinematic Universe,” it’s somewhat surprising that Robert Downey Jr.’s Kiss Kiss Bang Bang was a box office flop. However, it’s not hard to see why Downey now regards Kiss Kiss Bang Bang as “the best film” he’s done.

Sources: Joe Rogan Experience podcast