Doctor Dolittle Is Back! Which Actor Replaces Eddie Murphy In ‘The Voyage of Dr. Dolittle’?

We missed those adorable furballs! Universal Pictures has acquired the rights to produce a reboot of the “Doctor Dolittle” movie. And guess who will play the doctor with the ability to speak to animals?

“Iron Man” actor Robert Downey, Jr. will star in “The Voyage of Doctor Dolittle,” according to The Hollywood Reporter. The film is based on a character from a series of children’s books published in the 1920s by Hugh Lofting. Long before Eddie Murphy played the lovable character who can communicate with animals, Lofting created the character.

In fact, the 1998 “Doctor Dolittle” movie was very loosely based on Lofting’s source material. Also, it wasn’t the first time the character came to life in the big screen. In 1967, a “Doctor Dolittle” musical was released starring Rex Harrison as a former physician who lives and treats all kinds of animals.

READ: Why another ‘Iron Man’ movie may not happen.

Unlike Murphy’s film, Harrison’s “Doctor Dolittle” tanked at the box office but did well at the Oscars. It was nominated for best picture and took home the best original song and visual effects award.

After Harrison and Murphy, Downey takes on the role of Dr. Dolittle. The film is set to be directed by Stephen Gaghan. Gaghan is an Oscar-winning screenwriter and most recently directed “Gold,” a film that stars Matthew Mc Conaughey.

Joe Roth, Jeff Kirschenbaum and Susan Downey will produce the “Doctor Dolittle” reboot.

Downey was last seen playing Tony Stark in “Captain America: Civil War” and “Avengers: Age of Ultron.” He will soon be seen in “Spider-Man: Homecoming,” alongside Tom Holland.

It isn’t clear right now whether the reboot will stay faithful to Lofting’s source material or tell an altogether different tale. Either way, we’re excited to see the 51-year-old actor talk to animals. Lots and lots of animals.