Christopher Nolan appeared on “The Late Present” for a prolonged dialogue with Stephen Colbert through which the filmmaker heaped reward on his “Oppenheimer” star Robert Downey Jr., who’s extensively thought of the Oscar frontrunner for greatest supporting actor. Nolan stated he at all times wished to work with Downey due to his “generosity” and “charisma.” The director went on to name Downey’s position as Iron Man, which birthed the Marvel Cinematic Universe and carried it for a decade, one of the vital casting selections ever made.

“With anyone you’re employed with, with actors…you’re in search of some form of connection emotionally, empathetically,” Nolan stated about being drawn to Downey. “You’re in search of some form of generosity. He has this unimaginable generosity of spirit. It means when he’s in a scene with different folks he’s ensuring they’re all doing their greatest, that they’re all capable of deliver their greatest to the desk. He’s serving to them make clear these emotional connections.”

“I’ve at all times wished to work with him. I’ve at all times seen that in his work,” Nolan added. “And he has such charisma as Tony Stark. Him enjoying Iron Man is likely one of the most consequential casting selections that’s ever been made within the historical past of the film enterprise. I wished to provide him the chance to lose himself in an element, lose himself in one other human being the way in which nice actors love him.”

Downey was roughly in search of that chance, too. In an interview with The New York Instances Journal final summer season, he admitted he was involved his performing chops may be in danger whereas enjoying Iron Man for 11 years within the MCU. The actor debuted because the superhero in 2008’s “Iron Man” and was killed off in 2019’s “Avengers: Endgame,” showing in a complete of 9 Marvel films.

“You begin to surprise if a muscle you could have hasn’t atrophied,” Downey stated concerning the dangers of enjoying the identical character for over a decade.

When requested if he had any considerations about what impact enjoying Iron Man for 11 years might need on his performing, Downey replied: “Sure. 100%, and I knew there was a degree the place Christopher Nolan was endorsing, let’s work these different muscle tissues, however let’s do it whereas rendering you devoid of your regular go-to issues.”

Not that Downey isn’t pleased with his work in Marvel films. He stated on Rob Lowe’s “Actually” podcast final month that Tony Stark/Iron Man marked a number of the greatest performing of his profession, however “it went somewhat bit unnoticed due to the style.”

Watch Nolan’s full look on “The Late Present” within the video under.