This Obscure Comedy From 2005 With 62% On RT Is Robert Downey Jr.’s Strangest Role

Game 6 is an offbeat comedy from 2005 featuring names such as Michael Keaton, Catherine O'Hara, and Bebe Neuwirth — although Robert Downey Jr. is the most peculiar addition to the cast. Set during the historic 1986 Baseball World Series, it is often completely forgotten in Robert Downey Jr.'s movies outside the MCU. The movie combines real events with fictional embellishments to create a story centered on the fear of failure and anxiety, which now prove difficult to find on streaming. It is an interesting combination of elements, which owes themselves to the performances of its ensemble.

The movie was written by novelist, Don DeLillo, who is most famously known for his movie adaptation of White Noise. It is a remarkably low-budget independent film directed by Michael Hoffman, that seeks thrills through its rising tension and events. Unfortunately, Game 6's production was up against fierce competition during its debut, which wounded the film's reputation. It is a wonder that the movie was made in light of the considerable feats it encountered throughout the process. With that in mind, Game 6 is certainly a fascinating project that is certainly worth watching if you can track it down online.

What Game 6 Is About - Don DeLillo's Script Explained

Game 6 Offers A Rich Symbolic Meaning

Game 6 centers on Nicky Rogan — a playwright whose new production is opening on the same evening as the 1986 World Series playoffs between the New York Mets and the Boston Red Sox. As a lifelong supporter of the American League team, Rogan is more concerned about the game than his new passion project, which appears to be doomed following the lead actor's sudden illness which makes him incapable of remembering lines. While Rogan's personal life interferes with his big day, Steven Schwimmer (Robert Downey Jr.) is preparing to review the play as Broadway's most influential theater critic.

In short, Game 6 is a story of failure and fan culture told through the lens of comedy. DeLillo's only screenplay is a total jumble of ideas and mismatched elements, all of which shouldn't work together but do because of their seamless integration. Naturally, audiences can predict the outcome of the game. To the casual observer, however, the story could be interpreted as uninspired, as much of the runtime is spent in traffic with Rogan making inane small talk. Despite that, Game 6 sustains intrigue through its lead performances that immerse the audience into Rogan's world.

Who Robert Downey Jr. Plays In Game 6

Steven Schwimmer Is An Eccentric Individual In Game 6

Michael Keaton aiming a weapon at Robert Downey Jr. In Game 6

Robert Downey Jr. is dubbed the "Phantom of Broadway," in Game 6. His character is the comedy's antagonist, so reviled that he must wear an armed disguise during theater visits. Despite being a central focus, Downey Jr. has minimal screen time in Game 6. That being said, he effectively uses the scenes to masterfully convey the tormented creative spirit. His role is more memorable for the peculiar costume designs — in particular, one whose haircut is reminiscent of Back to the Future's Doc Brown. Schwimmer's introductory scene shows him in guided mediation, an interesting choice given the actor's involvement.

Main Actor In Game 6	Character In Game 6
Michael Keaton	Nicky Rogan
Robert Downey Jr.	Steven Schwimmer
Griffin Dunne	Elliott Litvak
Tom Alderedge	Michael Rogan
Catherine O'Hara	Lillian Rogan
Ari Graynor	Laurel Rogan
Bebe Neuwirth	Joanna Bourne
Shalom Harlow	Paisley Porter
Roger Rees	Jack Haskins
Harris Yulin	Peter Redmond
Neal Jones	Yessiree Bob

Game 6 was a rather remarkable feat in getting Robert Downey Jr. signed onto the project. At this point, he was still reviving his career after several problems with arrests and drug abuse, for which he has credited mediation as beneficial to his sobriety. Interestingly, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang was filmed only months before Game 6, and Hoffman had to have "lots of conversations about how to create a safe work environment for him," (via The Ringer) which resulted in a three to four-day shoot for Downey Jr., before calling a wrap on the actor.

Why Game 6 Is So Unheard Of 20 Years After Its Release

Game 6 Experienced A Very Limited Theatrical Release

Michael Keaton and Roger Rees sat in a cab in Game 6

It is important to note that Game 6 was not entirely doomed at the start. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2005 before, regrettably, only opening in a handful of theaters much later in March 2006. It was after this that the movie essentially disappeared from the scene. It is not unwise to speculate that this could have been on account of the little time and money invested in the project. Game 6 had a low budget and rehearsals were sparse — not ideal foundations for any production, regardless of the impressive lineup the film had secured.

It was rather fortunate that the Black List was not as prominent during this time, but this misfortune it encountered has clearly endured as Game 6 is still somewhat difficult to obtain in 2025.

According to sources, the script for Game 6 had circulated for years but received little interest from anyone eager to pick it up. Producer, Amy Robinson, reported that "unlike the handful of plays [DeLillo's] written between novels, Game 6 went over a decade without being produced. The screenplay became, for a time, a ghost [...] seldom discussed but widely read." (via The Ringer) It was rather fortunate that the Black List was not as prominent during this time, but this misfortune it encountered has clearly endured as Game 6 is still somewhat difficult to obtain in 2025.

Source: The Ringer