Robert Downey Jr.’s ‘Doctor DoLittle’ Reboot To Be Released In Summer 2019

Robert Downey Jr. is set to return to the big screen with the child-friendly adventure film, “Doctor Dolittle.”

Unfortunately, fans will have to wait a while to see the actor on the yet-to-be-titled reboot of “Doctor Dolittle.” On Monday, March 27, Universal Studio announced that the film will be released on May 24, 2019, Variety reported.

Stephen Gaghan will helm the film, which will be produced by Joe Roth and Jeff Kirschenbaum under their Roth/Kirschenbaum Films. They also produced “Alice in the Wonderland” and Angelina Jolie’s “Maleficent.” Gaghan has already drafted the tentative screenplay based on Tom Shepherd’s earlier draft.

READ: Doctor Dolittle returns with a new actor playing the role

The upcoming movie will be based on Hugh Lofting’s 1920s tale. The plot follows the adventures of a peculiar doctor who can talk with animals. He shuns human patients and prefers to attend to critters.

According to Collider, there are no details yet as to what the plot of the new movie will be. However, the directing choice for the project has already garnered some interest. Many were surprised that Gaghan would be in the director’s chair as his films tend to be more serious and grounded.

Meanwhile, Downey is not the first actor to play the character. Rex Harrison first played Dolittle on the big screen in 1967. The debut was critically panned, but it still scored a best picture nomination at the Oscars. And while it did lose in the category, the film had won best original song and best visual effects. In 1998, Eddie Murphy gave life to the adorable character. He also starred in its sequel in 2001.

Universal Studios acquired the rights for “Doctor Dolittle” after a heated bidding war. Several studios fought hard for the film, including Sony and 20th Century Fox, which made Harrison’s and Murphy’s “Doctor Dolittle” films, respectively, Deadline reported.

The production of “Doctor Dolittle” will likely start early next year, once Downey is done filming his back-to-back installments of “Avengers: Infinity War.”

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