Robert Downey, Jr., the man who launched the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Iron Man/Tony Stark in Iron Man (2008), is causing quite a stir on social media today. It seems that RDJ has unfollowed all of his Avengers franchise costars on Instagram — and the internet is losing it.
While we can’t account for everyone Downey had been following, Downey is no longer currently following any of his fellow Avengers, not even science bro Mark Ruffalo. Downey also no longer has a photo of himself as Iron Man as his profile picture. As others have noted, Downey almost certainly spends virtually no time personally managing his social media accounts. It is believed that his long-time assistant Jimmy Rich handled that for him until his death earlier this year.
Now, it is assumed that Downey’s manager is overseeing the actor’s social media profiles. There is likely no ill-will intended by RDJ’s recent unfollows — instead, the change is probably meant to detract from the 11 years he spent in the MCU, moving the focus to his current projects, including Netflix series Sweet Tooth.
Regardless of what the reasoning is behind the changes to RJD’s social media presence, Marvel fans online are not having it.
NancyJL was upset by the situation, and her followers agreed. A commenter going by I Am What I Am posted:
Surely he [RDJ] hears them, social media is not needed, but I don’t like how his account is transforming, pure business
Surely he hears them, social media is not needed, but I don't like how his account is transforming, pure business
— I am what i am ?? ? (@atenanevermind) July 6, 2021
A Twitter user going by Moon Child tried to look at the situation logically, posting:
Yea I don’t see Robert Downey Jr throwing away his friendships with his fellow Marvel cast members. It’s just to cause waves most likely. I’m sure they have other ways of communicating with one another with out [sic: without] social media.
Yea I don't see Robert Downey Jr throwing away his friendships with his fellow Marvel cast members. It's just to cause waves most likely. I'm sure they have other ways of communicating with one another with out social media.
With a heavy heart, I am informing you that I am in the list of ppl who Robert Downey Jr unfollowed on Insta recently. We’ve had some great conversations and it was pretty while it lasted. I wish him luck.
With a heavy heart, I am informing you that I am in the list of ppl who Robert Downey Jr unfollowed on Insta recently. We've had some great conversations and it was pretty while it lasted. I wish him luck.
Ben hilariously imagined the entire situation as a publicity stunt:
“Yo guys, I’m going to unfollow you all on Instagram, just for kicks. Let’s see what kind of drama people make up. Love you all!” -The text @RobertDowneyJr send to his friends in the MCU a few days ago.
"Yo guys, I'm going to unfollow you all on Instagram, just for kicks. Let's see what kind of drama people make up. Love you all!" -The text @RobertDowneyJr send to his friends in the MCU a few days ago.
You can check out all of the fan reactions about Robert Downey, Jr. unfollowing his Marvel costars on Twitter. The Iron Man trilogy actor is currently involved in two projects — All-Star Weekend and Sherlock Holmes 3.
What do you think of RDJ’s social media profile changes? Is his management team trying to distance the actor from Kevin Feige’s Marvel Studios?
Credit: Marvel Studios
