Robert Downey Jr. to Star in 'The Voyage of Doctor Dolittle' (Tom Holland Joins)

[Bigbigguy]

The doctor is in.

Robert Downey Jr. will star in The Voyage of Doctor Dolittle, based on the character from the 1920s series of children’s books by Hugh Lofting. Stephen Gaghan (Syriana, Gold) will direct the film based on a script he wrote, with an earlier draft by Tom Shepherd.

In a competitive situation, Universal won the rights to the hot package after it hit the town and garnered multiple bids from studios last week.

Joe Roth and Jeff Kirschenbaum will produce for their Roth/Kirschenbaum Films alongside Susan Downey for Team Downey.

Doctor Dolittle first hit the bit screen in the 1967 musical Doctor Dolittle, directed by Richard Fleischer. It was written by Leslie Bricusse based on Hugh Lofting's novels: The Story of Doctor Dolittle, The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle and Doctor Dolittle's Circus. The story follows the eccentric Doctor John Dolittle, a former physician who lives with and treats animals, claiming that he can communicate with them.

The 1967 film, which was a musical, was not well received at the time, but was nominated for an Oscar for best picture and won for best original song and visual effects. Another Dr. Dolittle film was released in 1998 and starred Eddie Murphy in the titular role. The Fox film was a success and resulted in four sequels, although several went direct-to-video.

Downey was most recently seen as Tony Stark in Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Age of Ultron. He will reprise the role in the upcoming Spider-Man: Homecoming and Avengers: Infinity War. He’s repped by CAA.

Gaghan won an Oscar for writing Steven Soderbergh’s Traffic. He also wrote and directed Syriana, and most recently wrote and director Gold, starring Matthew McConaughey. He repped by CAA and Hansen, Jacobson.

Shepherd is represented by WME, Think Tank management and Jackoway/Tyerman.

CAA packaged the deal and represents Gaghan, Downey and Roth/Kirschenbaum. Additionally, Gaghan and Downey are represented by Hansen Jacobson; and Roth/Kirschenbaum by Ziffren Brittenham LLP.

Robert Downey Jr. to Star in 'The Voyage of Doctor Dolittle'

 

[Colin X]

 

[ChuckTaylor84]

White People shyt

 

[Ziggiy]

Unless it's got an Aaliyah/Timbaland song we don't recognize it

 

[Bigbigguy]

Like 2 weeks after Avengers 4

 

[Bigbigguy]

 

[HipHopStan]

Unless it's got an Aaliyah/Timbaland song we don't recognize it

You took my joke away from me.

 

[Atsym Sknyfs]

Aint they still making direct to video joints with Kayla Pratt??

or is that a different Dr. Dolittle..

 

[Norrin Radd]

 

[obarth]

RDJ finna teach Tom how to speak to animals when he's gone

Edit:
With the aid of Dolittle Tech

Edit #2:
Dr. Dolittle hologram: "You will do a lot even though I did little"
:Jon Favreau in the back like while a parrot repeats the villain's master plan to Tom:
:end scene:

 

[humminbird]

why is it an adventure film?

 

[TheGodling]

why is it an adventure film?

The original novels were adventure stories, breh, as was the original 1967 movie. The Eddie Murphy movie pretty much ignored all of the stories and just used the idea of a doctor who could speak to animals to produce an Eddie Murphy comedy vehicle.

Anyways, I fukk with this movie. That cast is no joke and I love a good ol' fashioned adventure. @ RDJ putting on his hat just like he did in Sherlock Holmes, he really just does his own thing in every role and everyone lets him.

 

[humminbird]

The original novels were adventure stories, breh, as was the original 1967 movie. The Eddie Murphy movie pretty much ignored all of the stories and just used the idea of a doctor who could speak to animals to produce an Eddie Murphy comedy vehicle.

Anyways, I fukk with this movie. That cast is no joke and I love a good ol' fashioned adventure. @ RDJ putting on his hat just like he did in Sherlock Holmes, he really just does his own thing in every role and everyone lets him.

Wow didn’t know that. Pretty cool

 

[BelowTheMasonDixon]

Looks dope

 

[TheGodling]

Wow didn’t know that. Pretty cool

Yeah. Eddie Murphy's Dr Dolittle was basically Hollywood being quick to cash in on the success of The Nutty Professor. That was a remake of a Jerry Lewis comedy from the 60s playing fully into Eddie's talents so they just copied that formula.