Robert Downey Jr. Talks Tension On Set & Being Impressed With Michelle Williams! (DETAILS)

The Daily Grind Video

We’ve been anticipating Sherlock Holmes: A Game Of Shadows since the moment we stepped out of the theater after watching Sherlock Holmes back in 2009.

Part two, which hit theaters yesterday, December 16, stars the incredible Robert Downey Jr. along with Jude Law as his sidekick Mr. Watson, once again. Also directed by Guy Ritchie, we caught up with the star of the new flick where Robert Downey Jr. weighed in on the tension on set and how he used it to make his character better. He also tells us his favorite performances of the year!

Danai Maraire: So you have completed disintegrated the old school version of Sherlock Holmes. It’s interesting, funny, witty, deeply thoughtful, crazy action. And I loved it.

Robert Downey Jr.: Thank you, it was our intention. I’m glad it worked out this time. People are saying that they like this one better then the other one and

Well, I like both.

Thank you. Yeah why does it have to be one or the other? This is the companion piece.

Yeah don’t lump me in with those people because I like both.

Thank you.

So it was your intention to smash the old school version when you took this on?

Yes and part of smashing it was to go back to the original descriptions by Conan Doyle, of these guys and realizing like, “Wow I don’t think I had ever heard that they were bare knuckled boxers, and stick fights,” you know? But also Victorian England was actually a very dangerous place.

Guy Ritchie does a great job of creating that world. Speaking of which, he said that a little bit of tension on the set adds to a little extra creativity and we get to see the end result of that on screen. Is that true or false?

Yeah, of course its true. I mean I would rather have every day begin with a smooch and end with a hug and all of that but you know we are a bunch of men and women on location, very opinionated and with a very democratic way of working and so it’s like a drunken Thanksgiving half of the time.

What is the motivation for Sherlock Holmes, in terms of where you go in your head to bring him through you?

I just think about, everybody, including myself knows somebody or grew up with somebody that you kind of admired but that you also felt that you should probably take care of because they didn’t quite know how to function without some support. And I also loved the idea of someone who really does believe in justice and who really has very few unconscious biases. They just see things as they are. Which is tough.

We’re getting close to the end of the year so I am going to switch gears quickly. I want to find out from you, what is a movie that you have seen this year that has left an impact on you? Or was one of your favorites and why?

I personally liked My Week With Marilyn. I was really impressed with Michelle [Williams] and I just thought it worked..

Yes it’s a really good story and her performance is kick ass!

Kenneth Brannon too I mean he was pretty wild..

Just for kicks I hope one day we get to see Sherlock vs. Tony Starke, like back in the day when you used to see Godzilla vs. King Kong.

Yes (laughing) that is two salaries [for you], (laughing) I appreciate that.