One angle that I don’t believe has been much discussed in terms of Iron Man’s success this year is the SNL connection. For those who might have been too young, or for those trying to forget, Robert Downey Jr. actually spent one year on Saturday Night Live during its critically reviled 1985-1986 season. Fortunately, Downey wound up appearing in Weird Science just before his SNL run, and Back to School just after, keeping him rolling into 1987 with his much-lauded turn in Less Than Zero.
That made me wonder: IS Iron Man the biggest film starring an SNL Alum?
Well, that depends. If you look at IMDB.com’s list for All Time U.S. Box Office Gross, Iron Man is firmly entrenched at #21. That’s clearly the best LIVE ACTION showing for the SNL family. However, if you count animation, then Downey’s down times two. The second (#4) and third (#19) entries in the Shrek series top it; as you know, those films are headlined by two SNL faves in voice-acting roles: Mike Myers and Eddie Murphy.
The next best live action showing in the Top 100? Ghostbusters (featuring Bill Murray and Dan Akroyd) at #55, and Beverly Hills Cop (Murphy again) at #56. The original Shrek turns up at #38. Most appearances in the Top 100? Looks like Murphy and Myers tie via sharing the three Shrek films, and then splitting with one BHC and one Austin Powers flick each.
So, if you only consider live action, then yes: another laurel to hang on Iron Man is Biggest Film Starring an SNL Alum. Note to Producers: In no way should you take this as a greenlight to cast Jimmy Fallon as Captain America.
December 2nd, 2008 at 11:12 am
Is this post sarcastic?
I don’t think anyone’s ever suggested Less Than Zero had any critical lauding.
December 2nd, 2008 at 11:33 am
Andrew, while the movie wasn’t highly praised, Downey himself was. Janet Maslin from the New York Times and Roger Ebert, among others, singled out his ability and potential. Hence, “his much-lauded turn” as opposed to “beloved film”.
December 2nd, 2008 at 1:07 pm
Norm Macdonald as Green Lantern.
You’re welcome.
December 2nd, 2008 at 1:38 pm
What about Eddie Murphy? The Shrek films have mad crazy money - Shrek The Third mad almost a billion dollars world wide - http://www.boxofficemojo.com/alltime/world/
I could be wrong
December 2nd, 2008 at 1:40 pm
Oops… sorry, don’t know where my “e”s disappeared to in that last post
December 2nd, 2008 at 1:41 pm
Let me ask you this, Bim Bom . . . did you actually read the article?
December 2nd, 2008 at 2:09 pm
Michael Anthony Hall was part of the SNL cast the same year as Downey. I’m pretty sure they were good buddies. He had a bit part in Dark Knight - yeah, not starring but the connection is amusing.
December 2nd, 2008 at 2:41 pm
You might want to consider counting Finding Nemo, which comes in above Iron Man. Albert Brooks wasn’t a cast member but made a series of short films for the first season of SNL.
December 2nd, 2008 at 6:59 pm
Now, keep in mind that the figures above aren’t inflation-adjusted. If you go to such a list (http://www.boxofficemojo.com/alltime/adjusted.htm) you’ll find that the top grossing SNL alum movie is actually Shrek 2 (#30) and, as far as live-action goes, the biggest gross is Ghostbusters (#31). Interestingly, TDK is only #26 and Iron Man doesn’t even make the list.
December 2nd, 2008 at 8:10 pm
Jimmy Fallon as Captain America! Now I can’t get that image out of my head. How about Mary Gross as Scarlet Witch, Terry Sweeny as Thor, Jon Lovitz as Iron Fist and Ellen Cleghorne as She Hulk? Seriously, though, this is an interesting insight on this year’s biggest hit. I am constantly amazed at how much useful information one can find with just a little digging. Most traditional film schools tend to skip important topics in favor of technique and things like that. One program I found online offers one on one mentoring to assure that you have all the tools to feel comfortable and ready the first day you step onto a set. One such program is Film Connection. http://www.film-connection.com The best part is that their program is available anywhere in the US and Canada. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lkkzT9sr8w