Netflix's current hit Sweet Tooth is another solid comic book adaptation that makes all the right changes from the source material, and the cozy post-apocalyptic tale was ushered into live-action existence by Hollywood icons Robert Downey Jr. and Susan Downey. While the pair only served as executive producers behind the scenes for Season 1, fans would love to see the former Iron Man actor gracing the screen to join Christian Convery's Gus and Nonso Anozie's Tommy Jeppard on their journeys. But could it ever happen?
Fans are currently 100% out of the loop when it comes to what's happening with Sweet Tooth's future, as Netflix has yet to make an official decision about Season 2. But that isn't stopping star Nonso Anozie from talking about how he thinks Robert Downey Jr. could be utilized within the storyline. Here's what the actor told ComicBook.com when asked:
I think if our trio in the film became kind of a foursome and he just joined our band along the way and kind of helped us, and maybe helped us along the way in some way... I think a character that maybe didn't appear in the comic book, that he could actually come along and play. I actually think he would have made an interesting General Abbott as well, but I feel like Neil Sandilands has done such a great job in that. But if he was to come on, I think he'd have to join our gang, for sure.
Hey, can anybody blame Nonso Anozie for just automatically envisioning Robert Downey Jr.'s hypothetical introduction to be directly tied to Gus, Jeppard and Bear's journey. It obviously wouldn't be as exciting if RDJ just popped in for a quick cameo as a rando neighbor in Dr. Singh's suburban neighborhood. (Well, I guess that neighborhood isn't so much his home anymore.) But if Downey has the availability and willingness to join Sweet Tooth for a series regular role in Season 2, that would be beyond amazing. Hell, that alone could feasibly be enough to convince the streaming service to keep the show going.
While there are a few people from Jeff Lemire's Sweet Tooth comic book that Robert Downey Jr. could realistically play, it's not at all clear if the TV series will even introduce those characters, given how changed-up things became as the season went on.
I definitely agree with Nonso Anozie that Robert Downey Jr. would have been a very interesting choice for the role of General Abbott. Fans are no longer used to seeing the actor take on more villainous roles, after he'd headed up the Marvel Cinematic Universe for more than a decade. So I do kind of wish there was an alt-universe where RDJ took Neil Sandilands' place and showed off his more duplicitous side as Abbott, though I definitely wouldn't want to lose the big and intimidating performance that Sandilands delivered, as arch as it got at times.
Realistically, I can't even consider what would need to happen to convince Robert Downey Jr. to join Sweet Tooth's excellent cast for Season 2, since the actor barely even takes on TV guest star roles, making a series regular role something of a sub-improbability. But I'm pretty sure that everyone on the set, and within the fandom, would easily accommodate to make it happen.
While waiting to hear if Robert Downey Jr. plans to jump into the post-apocalypse, stay up to date with everything hitting the 2021 Summer TV season, and relive Sweet Tooth Season 1 streaming on Netflix.
