Robert Downey Jr asked not to be considered for the Best Actor Oscar for 'Avengers: Endgame'

Robert Downey Jr was conspicuously absent from Disney's awards bid for Avengers: Endgame, which was unveiled last week.

Many thought that his heart-wrenching performance as Iron Man topped off the climactic phase three of the Marvel Cinematic Universe's ambitious story arc, so some fans saw it as a bit of an insult.

Read more: Robert Downey Jr left out of Disney Oscar campaign

But it appears that RDJ himself asked not to be considered for the Best Actor gong.

Speaking to Howard Stern, he said: “I’m so glad you brought this up because there was some talk about it, and I said, ‘Let’s not.’

“Doing [the Marvel movies] was their own reward. I don’t know that it’s time or if I am the guy... to have the Academy recognise.”

Disney posted its 'For Your Consideration' notice for Avengers: Endgame on a dedicated awards website last week, along with similar notices for Aladdin, Toy Story 4, The Lion King and the yet-to-be released Frozen 2.

Read more: Robert Downey Jr ‘appreciates Scorsese’s opinion’ over Marvel

Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige is listed in the Best Picture category, while Anthony and Joe Russo are listed for Best Director, along with the cinematography, editing, make up, costume, sound, visual effects and production design departments.

Downey Jr has never won an Oscar, though he was nominated for his portrayal of Charlie Chaplin in 1992 (he won the BAFTA instead).

For what it's worth, the Russo brothers reckon Downey Jr would be a deserving recipient of the coveted award.

Joe Russo told The Daily Beast: “There were people bawling in movie theatres, hyperventilating. I mean, that is a profound performance, when you can touch audiences all over the world to that degree.

“We’ve never seen anything like that, and if that doesn’t deserve an Oscar, I don’t know what does.”