Robert Downey Jr. Rejected a Part in an Oscar-Winning Science Fiction Movie After Iron Man

**Robert Downey Jr. Turned Down An Oscar-Winning Sci-Fi Film Following Iron Man**

Alfonso Cuarón’s “Gravity” is not just one of the sci-fi films endorsed by Neil deGrasse Tyson, but it also enjoyed tremendous popularity with the general audience. The film secured seven Oscars out of 10 nominations, including Best Director, Cinematography, and Visual Effects, grossing nearly $725 million at the box office (via Box Office Mojo). The plot revolves around two astronauts who face debris during a mission and must devise a plan to survive and return to Earth. Sandra Bullock (Ryan Stone) and George Clooney (Matt Kowalski) headline the film. Initially, however, Cuarón had a different pair in mind for the project.

Robert Downey Jr. was first approached to co-star in “Gravity” alongside Angelina Jolie. While “Gravity” was released on August 28, 2013, Cuarón filmed the project in 2011. At that time, Marvel was busy producing “The Avengers,” the inaugural crossover movie for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Robert Downey Jr. played a pivotal role in this film after establishing himself as the face of the still-nascent MCU in “Iron Man” (2008), the movie that launched Marvel’s universe, with RDJ’s portrayal being crucial to that triumph. The sequel, “Iron Man 2,” debuted in 2010, a year preceding the commencement of “Gravity.”

The actor would have needed to balance both Cuarón’s film and the first “Avengers” outing if all parties had permitted him to shoot both concurrently. However, the conflicting schedules were not the primary reason Downey Jr. declined the role of Matt Kowalski. The actor clarified in a conversation on The Howard Stern Show, years after “Gravity’s” release, that the real challenge lay in the limitations of filming the space movie as Cuarón envisioned.

**RDJ on Being Comfortably Uncomfortable**

“Everyone ends up doing what they’re meant to do, and sometimes, someone has a motorcycle accident, and then the person who takes over the role [nails it], and you think, ‘I couldn’t have pictured anyone else in that role,'” RDJ shared with Stern in an interview in October 2022. He noted he was brought on board early in the project, even before Jolie was cast. He connected well with Cuarón and appreciated the concept. Stern pointed out that Downey Jr. had previously mentioned his inability to work within the cramped confines required by the “Gravity” sets. It was then that the actor elaborated on the filming experiences Cuarón was seeking, which he found uncomfortable.

“What I can let you know is I went in to do a test with a new kind of multi-spherical camera setup they were experimenting with for the CGI,” RDJ remembered. “I’m the type of person who can be comfortably uncomfortable pretty easily. I went in the morning to do that testing, and we lasted about 20 minutes. I asked, ‘This is insane; how much longer will it be?’ They replied, ‘It’ll be another two to four hours.’ I said, ‘No way!'” The actor further mentioned, “You’ve got to set boundaries. You’ve got to exit before you lose it,” implying that claustrophobia might have played a significant role in his decision to walk away from the sci-fi film.

**Cuarón Confirms RDJ Would Not Have Thrived in Gravity**

In a separate instance, Cuarón recounted a similar narrative to The Hollywood Reporter in 2014, discussing Downey Jr.’s withdrawal from the film, though the director provided less context than the actor did during his conversation with Stern. “It became increasingly clear that, as we started to hone the technology, that was going to be a significant hurdle for his performance,” the director explained. “I find Robert to be incredible if you grant him the latitude to fully breathe, improvise, and adapt. [However] we experimented with one of these technologies, and it just wasn’t suitable. After that, we [went through] a week pretending nothing was amiss, and then we conversed and concluded, ‘This won’t work. This is challenging.'”

Stern inquired if RDJ would have participated in the movie had he known that “Gravity” would explode in popularity and that he could earn the $70 million Clooney did, but the actor remained firm in his choice. “Any one of us can get something, but we can’t have everything,” RDJ finished.

Bullock received a nomination for Best Actress, ultimately losing to Cate Blanchett (“Blue Jasmine”), while Clooney did not receive a nomination for Best Actor. After passing on “Gravity,” Downey Jr. went on to star in numerous MCU blockbusters, including several sequels in the “Avengers” series. He will still be featured

Top 5 Essential Steam Deck Applications for 2026

extend the lifespan of your equipment with some fantastic applications. Now that the Steam Deck has established its position in the market, numerous applications have been launched to enhance the handheld’s gaming experience. The question arises, which applications are genuinely worth utilizing? Well, that’s exactly our purpose today: We’ve compiled a list of the top five applications every Steam Deck gamer ought to install on their device. From consolidated game launchers to game streaming applications, BGR has your needs covered.

Heroic Games Launcher

The Steam Deck provides a fairly simple user interface, and while you can sideload applications and games to access from your Steam library, there are more efficient methods to keep everything organized in one location. 

The Heroic Games Launcher is among the top selections to manage your multi-store game collection. Not only is the app open source (similar to the other software integrated into the Steam Deck), but it also accommodates software from various stores. From Steam to GOG to Epic to Amazon Prime Games, the Heroic Games Launcher includes them all.

Utilizing a third-party launcher like Heroic to consolidate everything in one place is convenient, but it’s also the ideal launcher to compile the free games you’ve been accumulating from sources like Epic and Amazon. Both companies provide free titles every month, and a lot of gamers frequently leave those freebies unused. This no longer has to be the situation with the Heroic Games Launcher: It’s the perfect opportunity to stop letting your backlog sit and start gaming, with the assistance of a launcher that supports all of the

Exploring the Development of Irradiated Dogs in Chernobyl

how radiation present in the CEZ could influence the evolution rate of animals, humans, and vegetation. A significant factor contributing to the CEZ’s status as a center for these hypotheses is the dramatic surge in animal and plant life following humanity’s departure from the region, which remains contaminated nearly 40 years on.

As time progress, scientists have grown increasingly eager to explore the potential evolutionary consequences that might be unveiled in the CEZ. A 2025 study has delved into the possible impacts of radiation on both plants and animals, shedding light on how these organisms have reacted to prolonged radiation exposure. Although there have been notable findings of genetic damage overall, there also seem to be adaptive responses that have been observed. Given that Chernobyl is frequently regarded as one of the worst nuclear catastrophes globally, researchers have consistently monitored the aftermath of the disaster.

Moreover, another 2024 study highlighted distinct genetic variations between dogs living inside versus outside the CEZ, yet the researchers indicate that we have merely begun to explore the potential for witnessing rapid evolution in real-time.

Uncertain findings are still a foundation

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Costco Reveals Seven Significant Modifications Planned for 2026

gifts priced below $50 for the gadget lover in your life has exciting updates for shoppers. Those with a membership should be aware of the upcoming changes before they start considering all the Costco tech products that could be worthwhile purchases.

In 2025, Costco introduced significant modifications that customers might have observed throughout the year, such as increasing its store locations, adding Coca-Cola to the food court, and enhancing the number of membership scanners at the entrances of its outlets. Nevertheless, the company has even more ambitious plans for 2026, which include further expansions, additional improvements to the food court and pharmacy, quicker lines and exit times, a broader range of potentially lower-priced signature merchandise, and improved wages for staff.

Few places offer an affordable smart TV that customers endorse, a slice of pizza, and an electric vehicle, which are likely two reasons why Costco remains a favored shopping choice. It’s worth noting while you read this that Costco’s fiscal year commences in September, so some of these updates may already be happening at a store near you. With that in mind, let’s explore this retailer’s upcoming developments.

What’s on the horizon for Costco in 2026

Ben Stiller’s Alterations Rendered Apple TV’s Severance More Conventional

If you’ve watched the Apple TV series “Severance,” you’re aware that there’s a lot of peculiar activity occurring both inside and outside the confines of Lumon Industries. Given that the whole concept of the series revolves around individuals literally dividing their consciousness in two just to attend work, it shouldn’t come as a shock that the show can be confounding and surreal at times. Nevertheless, prior to director and executive producer Ben Stiller reviewing the script, the show featured even more unusual aspects that didn’t make it into the final edit.

In a 2022 interview, series creator and writer Dan Erickson disclosed that certain initial concepts for “Severance” were a tad too eccentric for Stiller’s liking. During the conversation, Erickson brought up a few elements that were excluded from the show, such as Mark S. (Adam Scott) making a particular discovery at Lumon. Although it may not explain why it’s perpetually winter in the series, it’s still fascinating to consider the potential paths “Severance” might have explored.

Please note that we aren’t revealing any spoilers, as much of what Erickson talks about ultimately ended up on the cutting room floor — but we’re giving you a heads-up anyway, in case this is too much information for anyone who hasn’t started the series. If you’re all caught up, it’s likely you, like us, have several pressing questions that Season 3 is expected to clarify. Let’s examine what got cut from the series.

Severance reduced the peculiarity

During a Q&A with “Severance” creator Dan Erickson for Backstory Magazine, host Jeff Goldsmith inquired about some of Stiller’s feedback regarding the script before it was approved by Apple TV. “It was primarily about grounding it,” Erickson replied. “He believed that the concept itself was bizarre enough that it didn’t require a plethora of other, you know, Terry Gilliam-like embellishments.” The Gilliam reference is fitting, considering that the “Monty Python” veteran has directed numerous unconventional films, including the 1985 dystopian classic “Brazil.”

“Severance” is already strange enough – including the Greek mythology elements that might shed light on a specific Season 2 episode – so it’s easy to presume there were no creative constraints. Yet, Erickson discloses a few distinct ideas that didn’t proceed to production. “There was a pair of disembodied legs that scampered by at one point,” Erickson mentions. “In this version, there was another level that Mark would climb to. And it was sort of in ruins, as if there had been a conflict or something.” He adds that Mark would have discovered the whole floor scorched, and that someone trapped in a cubicle would have been pleading for assistance.

Erickson acknowledges that once Stiller got involved with the script, the “Zoolander” star would start questioning why more bizarre elements were occurring, toning down some of the more extravagant scenes to create a bigger impact. “He wouldn’t allow me to have things be odd just for the sake of being odd,” Erickson shares. However, considering what we observe on the show, it’s astonishing to consider that it’s actually restraining the oddity. Presently, Season 3 of “Severance” is anticipated to commence filming in spring 2026.

Apple’s iOS Development Strategy: Transitions from iOS 26.3 to iOS 27

iOS 26.2 updates – primarily consisting of modifications to the Liquid Glass design and the enhancement of the Live Translation feature across additional languages and regions — users are keenly anticipating further features. However, in contrast to prior iOS software update cycles, Apple has been more prudent in revealing features it may not be able to deliver promptly. In previous years, the company announced a completely new CarPlay experience that took years to launch, the frequently postponed Apple Intelligence platform, and other minor features that required time to debut, like iPad’s Stage Manager, Sidecar, and more.

Following the Siri debacle and the postponement of the brand-new personal assistant, which was anticipated for iOS 18.4, Apple chose to only showcase features it could deliver simultaneously with iOS 26 during the WWDC 2025 keynote. While the company achieved that, it also left us with minimal information regarding upcoming developments. Or so we believed. Keeping that in mind, here’s an iOS roadmap with leaked and anticipated features for iOS 26.3 through iOS 27.

iOS 26.3 will introduce these features and modifications

The FBI Publishes Open Call for Unjammable Drones: Explanations Provided

a solicitation for details (RFI) seeking providers of unjammable drones, and if you’re curious about what “unjammable” entails, the aim is to identify alternatives “controlled via fiber optic cable” that are also “NDAA compliant.” In essence, they’re referring to wired drones. Unusual as it might sound, these varieties do exist. Wired drones cannot be jammed or interfered with from a distance — the sole means to disable them is to bring them down, which requires significant skill or specialized counteractions.

The cables linked to these drones can extend up to 20 kilometers (approximately 12 miles) or more, and they’re remarkably slender. Most limitations one might anticipate from a wired line are minimal. The primary issues are the risk of snagging, especially concerning battlefield remnants and nearby objects, or the drone’s own rotors. Decreased agility is also a disadvantage associated with wired drones compared to their wireless equivalents. The cable may restrict the drone’s operational radius; however, they frequently carry the cable spool onboard, utilizing a mount or housing to address this challenge. Because the cable spool is connected, it can decrease travel speed, additionally limiting space and capacity for extra loads like explosives or supplies.

Nevertheless, in spite of the tether, fiber-optic drones are difficult to detect, as the cable is extremely thin, and they provide a superior, more dependable signal — particularly in zones susceptible to wireless disruption. Moreover, as the FBI succinctly pointed out, they’re “unjammable.” The Moscow Times notes that fiber-optic drones are already operational on the battlefield. Ukraine and U.S. tech firms possess them too.

Why is the FBI interested in unjammable drones?

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Ranking the Top 5 Brands of Robot Vacuum Cleaners from Least Favorable to Most Favorable

cheaper robotic vacuum cleaners may be more suitable for your residence.

Since the launch of the first commercially successful robotic vacuum cleaner in 2002, numerous brands and models have emerged in the marketplace. It’s quite easy to feel inundated by all the unfamiliar names and the various features that each robot offers. With significant advancements in sensor technology, larger motors, and improved software, you have the option to select an economical choice to keep things tidy, or invest in a powerful, feature-rich robot capable of managing all that pet hair. Regardless, there’s a robotic vacuum cleaner for every type of dwelling, and we are here to assist you in discovering the ideal choice. We assessed the most dependable brands that deliver the best value for the typical household, considering genuine user experiences to aid you in making an educated choice.

No. 5: Eufy

Eufy is recognized as the “value” brand within the robotic vacuum sector. This is due to the fact that its vacuum cleaners are generally more budget-friendly compared to the flagship models of high-end competitors. They still manage to provide above-average suction power, quiet operation, and an easy-to-maintain system. Eufy vacuums are straightforward to use, easy to care for, and several models are tailored specifically for hard surfaces. This makes them appealing for small homes, apartments, or for anyone needing a cleaning helper on a budget. They’re ideal for compact

Google Intends Major Upgrade to Android Multitasking

Android Authority reports that Google is developing a new functionality for the Gemini app that enables users to continue using their smartphones as the AI formulates a response. Android minimizes Gemini to an icon located at the bottom of the display, superseding the existing method that necessitates its presence on-screen while it addresses the prompt. Users receive visual indicators from the Gemini overlay, allowing them to interact with other applications. An animation plays at the bottom of the screen to notify the user that the AI is still working on the most recent request, and a notification pops up when the answer becomes available, prompting the user to return to Gemini.

This alteration pertains to using Gemini simultaneously with other applications, but it’s a paradigm that could extend to other essential apps in the future. Android, iOS, and iPadOS are not yet positioned to fully supplant conventional desktops and laptops; however, they are managing multiple applications and tasks more efficiently than before, particularly on devices with AI enhancements such as those on the Galaxy Z Fold 7. The synergy of advanced hardware and innovative form factors like foldable devices is already paving the way for increased productivity. An AI layer integrated into these systems can further enhance the way we utilize smartphones.

Gemini could pave the way for improved Android multitasking

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Google Chrome Continues to be Free, Whereas Agentic AI Features Could Necessitate a Subscription

Leopeva64 discovered indications in Chrome’s code suggesting that the agentic functionalities Google has been working on will be restricted to paid subscription tiers, at least initially. As reported by XDA Developers, the X user frequently finds new features in the code of Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge. Leopeva64 posted the news about Chrome’s agentic functionalities on Christmas Eve in response to an October entry where he outlined a new toggle to activate/deactivate agentic Gemini behavior in Chrome.

Google has already integrated Gemini features into Chrome. <a href="https://www.bgr.com/1972880/gemini