Image source: Men’s Health

Robert Downey Jr. turned heads when he hit the red carpet with a striking new look, making him nearly unrecognizable.

The bald appearance of the Iron Man actor at the Academy Governors Awards surprised everyone at the event.

Meanwhile, the internet responded quickly, with fans clamoring for Robert Downey Jr. for a new role in a major studio franchise.

A bold new look

Robert Downey Jr. lived and breathed as Iron Man/Tony Stark in the MCU for more than a decade.

However, his shiny scalp at the event instantly erases any memory of his iconic Marvel appearances.

Despite the change in appearance, fans believed Downey Jr. still had what it took to return to the superhero genre.

However, many have said that he could play an essential role for the rival studio of Marvel instead.

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Another super genius

Shortly after Robert Downey Jr. revealed his bald new look, fans took to social media to cast him into another major franchise.

When it comes to comics, it’s hard to think of many bald characters.

While there’s the possibility of playing Charles Xavier from the X-Men, Downey Jr. has already contributed much to the MCU as Iron Man.

Instead, many have suggested a fresh start, tipping him for a move into the DC Extended Universe as villain Lex Luthor.

Reception

Robert Downey Jr.’s new bald look has fans casting him as Lex Luthor.

Luthor could easily pass for some evil version of Tony Stark.

When the fan casts arrived, opinions were divided.

“[Seeing him play Luthor] would be interesting. I’d love to see him do it,” wrote one user.

“Those scenes with [Captain America when he said] ‘everything special about you came out of a bottle’ shows he can do it.”

Another user was skeptical about the DC’s past Lex Luthor castings, saying:

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“I’d rather see that than whatever Lex Luthor live action we got last time. Good God.”

“He’s a good actor people be thinking [sic] Tony Stark but he does something totally different and surprises the **** out of you. Because that’s what actors like him can do.”

Other fans mocked people who would cast any bald actor for Lex Luthor.

“Literally nobody is less creative than DC fans casting Lex Luthor,” a user said.

Meanwhile, one fan didn’t have a problem with the current DCEU Lex Luthor actor, writing: “We’re pretty happy with Jesse Eisenberg, thank you.”

“Not a bad call,” someone else wrote. “I still believe Marc Strong is the one and only to play the role.”

Other notes

ScreenRant reported that Robert Downey Jr. initially landed the role of Lex Luthor in the past.

However, during the Superman film’s development, the directors underwent a series of changes.

A management takeover at DC ultimately cast Kevin Spacey as Lex Luthor in Superman Returns.

Whether or not Robert Downey Jr. will return to the world of superheroes, let alone the DC Extended Universe remains to be seen.

Reference:

DC fans want Robert Downey Jr. to play Lex Luthor after debuting new bald look