It seems that Hollywood will once again be adapting Hugh Lofting’s Dr. Dolittle for the big screen. When it was first adapted in 1967, Rex Harrison took the role of the titular lead. In 1998, Eddie Murphy took the role and even reprised it for the 2001 sequel. Now, a new film titled The Voyage of Doctor Dolittle will start filming next year with the lead role being played by Iron Man himself, Robert Downey Jr.
Dr. Dolittle, both versions, follow an eccentric scientist of the same name who has the ability to talk to animals. Each film adaptation offered a different take on the story. Whether or not this remake will follow suit and do its own thing or just straight up adapt the book it’s named after isn’t known at this time.
Along with the leading man, Oscar winner Stephen Gaghan, will be writing and directing. The film is being distributed by Universal Studios, who recently won a bidding war for the rights to the film. Due to filming beginning in 2018, it’s likely that the film will be released the following year, though nothing has been confirmed yet.
Next year, Robert Downey Jr. will be shooting for Avengers: Infinity War as well as its currently untitled sequel, reprising his iconic role as Tony Stark/Iron Man. Some time after that, he will begin playing the role of Dr. Dolittle. Until then, you can see him put on his iconic armor once again this year with the release of Spider-Man: Homecoming on July 7th.
Source: Variety
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