Robert Downey Jr. Reflects on Chaotic Filming of Natural Born Killers

Robert Downey Jr.’s performance as Wayne Gale in “Natural Born Killers” has drawn various reactions from entertainment personalities. Oliver Stone, the director, had mixed feelings, accusing Downey of “ruining” the film with “slapstick bullsh*t” due to his over-the-top performance, which some found distracting. However, others appreciated Downey’s unique approach, with the chaotic nature of his character fitting well within the film’s wild narrative style. The scene where Downey performs a prison interview, despite being unexpectedly rushed, was met with applause from the crew for his ability to deliver under challenging circumstances​ CINEMABLEND

Back in 1994, Robert Downey Jr. delivered one of his most memorable performances of the decade in Oliver Stone’s chaotic and controversial film, *Natural Born Killers*. While his portrayal of the sensationalist tabloid journalist Wayne Gale was both captivating and over-the-top, Downey has since revealed just how chaotic the production itself was, particularly for him.

According to an oral history of *Natural Born Killers* published by *Esquire*, many cast members indulged in various substances during filming, but it seems Downey took it to an extreme. Known today as Iron Man, he put himself in quite precarious situations to maintain his performance. The actor shared a particularly harrowing story about a night out that collided disastrously with an unexpected shift in the filming schedule.

Robert Downey Jr. almost ruined Natural Born Killers with a crude sight gag that director Oliver Stone found too much. Despite his antics, Downey Jr.’s performance as Wayne Gale remains a standout in the film. pic.twitter.com/jfpVteqWRV

— Movies in 60 mins (@MoviesIn60Mins) August 31, 2024

Recalling that chaotic moment, Downey described how he had been “nine sheets to the wind” the night before a major scene—the prison interview that would lead to a deadly riot. He received a sudden call that the scene had been moved up, leaving him just two hours to get to set. Faced with the prospect of filming a seven-page scene while severely hungover, Downey described the notification as one of the most mortifying he had ever received. Upon arriving on set, he found himself utterly incapable of performing. To combat this, he was given a “therapeutic injection of B12 vitamins,” which he later hinted was something far stronger, describing the following nine hours as unusually delightful.

Regardless of what that “vitamin” shot actually contained, it evidently worked wonders. Watching the film, one would never guess that Downey was in such dire straits during the filming of the prison interview. His performance fit perfectly within the frenzied, almost surreal reality Oliver Stone crafted. It’s hard not to wonder how the scene might have turned out had Quentin Tarantino’s original screenplay remained untouched, given the infamous feud between Tarantino and Stone over the film’s direction.

A Movie Character Played by Robert Downey Jr. #EdwardsMovieCharacterChallenge August 31: as Wayne Gale in “Natural Born Killers” (1994) pic.twitter.com/v5cHqfVH6N

— Dr. John, EdD, RN 🇦🇶 🇺🇦🏳️‍🌈🌊 (@jaw1964) August 31, 2024

Downey’s professionalism during the chaotic shoot is evident; despite his state, the production did not have to scrap an entire day of filming. Reflecting on the experience, he mentioned how well-prepared he was for the scene, even if everything happened hours earlier than he had anticipated. Remarkably, Downey managed to go off-book after only glancing at the script twice, despite the less-than-ideal circumstances.

He recalled that when the filming day finally concluded—after Woody Harrelson’s consistently impressive takes—the crew erupted in applause. They understood how close Downey had come to being unfit for the shoot, and their applause was a collective sigh of relief that the day had ended successfully rather than in disaster.

Oliver Stone reflects on frustration with Robert Downey Jr. during the production of Natural Born Killers in a new Esquire article. Despite initial annoyance, Downey’s improvisational acting, including a controversial scene involving fake blood, made it into the final cut. pic.twitter.com/j4geP9zvRp

— Movies in 60 mins (@MoviesIn60Mins) September 1, 2024

For Downey, the experience was a memorable one, but not one he would likely want to repeat. The tension on set, with everyone unsure of how the day would unfold, is palpable in his recollection. Yet, despite all the chaos, Downey’s performance remains a standout in a film filled with wild, frenetic energy.

For those who want to revisit Downey’s electric performance—or experience it for the first time—*Natural Born Killers* is available for streaming on Netflix. For fans of Oliver Stone’s darker and more disturbing work, his earlier film *The Hand* is also worth a watch, offering another glimpse into the director’s unique and often unsettling cinematic style.

Major Points

• In 1994, Robert Downey Jr. starred in Oliver Stone’s Natural Born Killers, delivering a captivating performance amidst chaotic production conditions.
• Downey revealed that he was severely hungover before filming a major prison interview scene, requiring a sudden “B12 vitamin” injection to proceed.
• Despite the turmoil, Downey managed to perform his seven-page scene exceptionally well, maintaining the film’s frenetic energy and dark tone.
• The crew, aware of Downey’s state, celebrated when the filming concluded successfully, highlighting the intense and unpredictable nature of the shoot.
• Natural Born Killers is currently available on Netflix, showcasing Downey’s intense performance in a film marked by Oliver Stone’s controversial and distinctive style.

Al Santana – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News