Follow us on Google News
Get the latest updates directly in your Google News feed
Fans’ hearts race with anticipation as they watch two Roberts square off in the Oscar 2024 race. This time, it looks like the iconic Robert De Niro will surpass the endearing Robert Downey Jr. in their respective roles. And at the heart of this fight is the Best Supporting Actor Oscar race, in which, whispers among fans suggest, De Niro will surpass Downey Jr.’s legendary performance inOppenheimer.
With hisKillers of the Flower Moonperformance, fans predict that De Niro will beatIron Man‘sOppenheimerperformance. Though the former has played monstrous men in the past, his latest performance as William King Hale captures everyday evil more completely than anything else he has ever done.
De Niro has consistently shown his talent, from his ground-breaking performances in beloved films likeTaxi DriverandRaging Bullto his recent roles inThe IrishmanandSilver Linings Playbook.Could he win another Academy Award for his role in critically acclaimed Martin Scorsese’s masterpiece?
RELATED:“I saved the film!”: Robert De Niro’s Co-star Helped Fix a Crucial Error on $236M Film That Got Jennifer Lawrence Her First Oscar Win at 22
A Clash of Robert De Niro and Robert Downey Jr. for Best Supporting Actor Oscar
As perScreen Rant, following a three-decade wait,Robert Downey Jr. is among the leading candidates for Best Supporting Actor at the Oscars this year for his role inOppenheimer. In Christopher Nolan’s biographical thriller, which is about J. Robert Oppenheimer, the ‘father of the atomic bomb’, Downey Jr. portrayed Lewis Strauss. Since its summer 2023 release, his notable portrayal has received high praise from both critics and viewers, creating a ton of Oscar buzz.
It is almost a given that Downey Jr. will be nominated for Best Supporting Actor at the 96th Academy Awards in 2024; in fact, it is almost a given that the seasoned actor will win the prize (according to Screen Rant). This would be a well-earned victory that was also long overdue.
Still, Martin Scorsese’sKillers of the Flower Moonfeatures a particularly sinister portrayal ofRobert De Niroas the crafty William Hale, despite the actor’s already acclaimed history of playing cruel characters. This movie marks Scorsese and De Niro’s tenth joint venture.
As perDeadline, after earning $9.4 million on its first day, the movie went on to debut at $23 million, coming in second behindTaylor Swift: The Eras Tour.Among the Scorsese and De Niro films, this one had the biggest opening (beatingCape Fear‘s $10.2 million opening in 1991).
RELATED:An Infection Held Robert De Niro Back From Being in James Cameron’s Titanic With Kate Winslet
Whispers Among Fans: Robert De Niro Will Outshine Robert Downey Jr. at Oscars
Both fans and critics are anticipating the Roberts duel with great anticipation as the race for the Best Supporting Actor Oscar heats up. At this point, there are whispers among fans that Robert De Niro’s William King Hale may even top Robert Downey Jr.’s iconic portrayal of Lewis Strauss.
One noted:
I know there is more interesting narratives or whatever (Riverdale to Haynes, Downey Jr making real movies again, etc) but De Niro as William Hale is for me, by far the greatest supporting role of the year.pic.twitter.com/VHMs9q9lNe
— v.g (@insufficentfund)July 26, 2025
Another fan stated:
He gave the best performance of that movie, that’s for fuckin sure. Sheer evil, terrifying, but subtle about it.
— Matt (@realmattcooke)Aug 24, 2025
One fan appreciated the actor, saying:
It’s one of the great villain performances of the 21st century.
De Niro is channeling Mitchum in Night of the Hunter.pic.twitter.com/BXYHBHemDH
— Giancarlo Sopo (@GiancarloSopo)August 13, 2025
While one argued:
In my opinion, this is the strongest competition for the best supporting actor Oscar in years. As of now, 3 absolutely essential, brilliant, memorable performances in 3 of the best films of the year from RDJ, De Niro, and Melton. All richly deserving.
— Jonathan Ramirez (@greensbeans62)August 02, 2025
Another felt:
I feel like his performance is being taken for granted simply because he’s De Niro and he’s good in so many things—but this is a really captivating and special performance.
— jfassler.bsky.social (@J_fassler)July 28, 2025
Despite divergent opinions, moviegoers’ passion and dedication never fade. In the digital age, fans have a voice, and they lean slightly in favor of De Niro taking home the Best Supporting Actor trophy. Is this a sign that the Academy is listening to the voices of the fans as a whole?
Fans may disagree about who should win the esteemed award, but one thing is for sure: both actors delivered exceptional performances that will have a lasting impact on the movie business.
RELATED:“I thought you would think that was funny”: Burt Reynolds’ Own Goodfellas Moment Backfired for Trying to Make Robert De Niro Laugh That Resulted in a ‘Beating’
Siddhika Prajapati
Senior Journalist & Content Head
Articles Published :3310
With over 3,300 articles carved into the digital walls of FandomWire, Siddhika Prajapati excels at creating, curating, and elevating engaging stories. She takes pride in giving these stories a home and, of course, she’s got a Google Knowledge Panel to prove it!Whether it’s reviewing the latest drop on Netflix, Amazon Prime, or Apple TV+, or analyzing the cultural echoes of a streaming hit on Paramount+ or Max, Siddhika is always writing three steps ahead of the discourse.
