Robert Downey Jr. Is an Entirely Different Doctor in 'Dolittle'
Rami Malek, John Cena, Selena Gomez and Tom Holland are his animal companions.
Perhaps due to Eddie Murphy‘s iconic performance in the comedic Dr. Dolittle, Universal has opted for an entirely different style of doctor in its upcoming Dolittle. Robert Downey Jr. takes on the famed British veterinarian’s mantle for the new movie, swapping the comedy trappings of the 1998 film for a fantasy theme that keeps more in line with the original book Doctor Dolittle book series.
According to Universal, the new film joins Dr. John Dolittle after he disappears from society, following the death of his wife seven years earlier. Despite his reluctance to venture from the safety of Dolittle Manor, he ventures in search for a cure to heal the young queen after she mysteriously takes ill. Dolittle is joined by a host of his animal pals — he’s the only human who can communicate with critters, after all — including a nervous gorilla (Rami Malek), optimistic polar bear (John Cena), chirpy giraffe (Selena Gomez), glasses-wearing otter (Tom Holland) and chatty parrot (Emma Thompson).
Stephen Gaghan (Gold, Traffic) directs the star-heavy cast, which also includes Antonio Banderas, Ralph Fiennes, Marion Cotillard, Octavia Spencer and plenty more. Joe Roth and Jeff Kirschenbaum, who produced Alice in Wonderland and Maleficent, also take on the production reigns for Dolittle.
Check out the trailer above and expect the film to hit theaters in January 2020.
Most recently, Universal teased its forthcoming horror flick, The Turning.
