Marvel fans disappointed as Robert Downey Jr is missing from Disney's 'Avengers: Endgame' Oscar bid

Robert Downey Jr as Tony Stark in Avengers: Endgame
Robert Downey Jr as Tony Stark in Avengers: Endgame

It appears that Disney might not be convinced that Robert Downey Jr is Best Actor material for his heartbreaking role as Tony Stark in Avengers: Endgame.

The studio has issued a 'For Your Consideration' notice to the Academy judges on its official awards page, but there's one name notable by its absence (as spotted by Slashfilm). Studio boss Kevin Feige is named under the Best Picture appeal, while Anthony and Joe Russo are named as their Best Director nominations.

Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely also appear under Best Adapted Screenplay, while there are also nods for film editing, production design, cinematography, costume design, hair and make-up, sound mixing, sound editing, score and visual effects.

But Downey Jr for Best Actor? It seems not.

(Credit: Disney)
(Credit: Disney)

Perhaps the Iron Man star has personally decided he doesn't want to engage in the necessary graft needed to court the Best Actor gong, but fans won't be too happy about what looks like a lack of faith in the movie's star turn.

Some Marvel fans, unsurprisingly, are not happy that their hero is not being pushed for glory.

That said, superhero movies winning gongs outside of the technical and make-up categories is a huge rarity.

Read more: How Tom Holland saved the Spider-Man deal

But the Russos have lent their support to a nomination.

Joe Russo told The Daily Beast last month: “I just want to stump for one thing, and that’s Robert Downey. I don’t know if I have ever seen — in movie history — a global audience react to a performance the way they did to Robert Downey in that movie.

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 23: Robert Downey Jr. attends D23 Disney Legends event at Anaheim Convention Center on August 23, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 23: Robert Downey Jr. attends D23 Disney Legends event at Anaheim Convention Center on August 23, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

“There were people bawling in movie theaters, hyperventilating. I mean, that is a profound performance, when you can touch audiences all over the world to that degree. We’ve never seen anything like that, and if that doesn’t deserve an Oscar, I don’t know what does.”

Read more: Sony made ‘tragic mistake’ over Spider-Man says Russo

Aside from Endgame, Disney is also doing awards screenings for Aladdin, Toy Story 4, The Lion King and the yet-to-be-released Frozen 2.

But Avengers: Endgame remains the biggest movie of the year so far, having made $2.8 billion at the worldwide box office.