Robert Downey Jr. has been infuriating journalists lately with some of his scathing rhetoric and clumsy comments on independent filmmakers, which have seemingly given the appearance of his having a super-sized ego. 

According to NY Post Page Six, Downey's comments have caught the ire of some well-known journalists, namely the one who inspired his character in Oliver Stone's "Natural Born Killers," Wayne Darwen, who was a former producer for the TV show "A Current Affair."

In a conversation Page Six's Richard Johnson, the former news producer said that Downey was more entertaining when he was on drugs.

"Junior was a lot more interesting when he was a substance-abusing, suffering artist -- brave and silly enough to push the envelope," Darwen told Johnson.

This is a more telling story now that Downey has famously walked out off a British television interview when asked about his past life in reference to drug use, and also his past claims of political affiliation.

"He should remember that it was the untamed spirit of the indie movement and the writings of journalists he now walks out on, that made him a name in the first place," Darwen said.

Entertainment Weekly reports Downey referenced independent cinema in a somewhat egregious manner. When asked if he would be more willing now to appear in those films, Downey said no.

"Because they're exhausting and sometimes they suck and then you just go, 'What was I thinking?'" he said. 

But he was open to doing others.

"But I'm interested in doing all different kinds of movies," Downey said. "Sometimes the little movies are the ones that wind up taking the most out of you because they're like, 'Hey, man, we're just running a couple of days behind. Do you think you can stay through your birthday and then come back on the fourth of July. And, by the way, but, like, the crew -- can you pay for the craft services? And, oh, by the way, man, when we go to Sundance, it's like, can we just sit you in a chair and you can sell this for six days in a row so that we'll make 180 bucks when it opens in one theater? God, this is so powerful what we're doing. What do you think of the movie? You saw it last night?'"

Darwen fired back at him on Page Six.

"His own father was one of the most influential indie filmmakers in history!" Darwen told Johnson. "Junior sold out for a comfortable life in boring Sherlock Holmes reboots and cartoon remakes. At least indie films come up with fresh stories."