As you’ve just read, it’s definitely on the slate to be Spielberg’s next directing project (“Lincoln” is coming but it’ll have to wait).
Tom Hanks and Will Smith were once rumored to be the obvious choices for the lead, and then Hanks apparently bowed out.
Now a throwaway line in the Variety article about “Lincoln” says the populist director wants Robert Downey Jr. to play the pleasant, everyday man. Or at least he’s being eyed or is in early talks.
The Variety line reads, “Spielberg is presently focusing on his ‘reimagining’ of “Harvey,” with Robert Downey Jr. possibly playing the man who sees an invisible rabbit.”
Hmm, Robert Downey Jr. as an everyday pleeb? He did arguably already play a sort of modern version of this role — the everyday man, with contemporary cynicism — in, “The Soloist,” but this would ostensibly be quite different. Is Downey too wild and scene-chewing-happy to be reigned in as congenial nice guy? Or will the “reimagining” let RDJ cut loose? Is Robert Downey Jr. slowly becoming the new Tom Hanks? Discuss.
I would say Downey is like Hanks in that it's almost impossible not to like him.
This means it took Spielberg almost 40 years to run out of ideas for movies. To quote "Hitler" he's been underwater for too long.
I'm not a fan of some classics being remade (not saying Harvey is a classic, but Stewart certainly was). So if they're going to go ahead with this… Downey is a good pick.
I believe Robert Downey Jr. can vary his approach to characters with different levels 'wildness" and can calm down a bit for his roles. For instance when he played Harry Lockhart in 2005's "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang" he played a more docile character. He definitely still exudes a big character through his straight forward commentary and quick one-liners, but no where near wild. I've got confidence in the guy to do well.
The best choice for this role would be Sam Rockwell but I will take RDJ in anything.
I really didn't like "Iron Man." I think he was supposed to be funny, but he was just smug. I didn't really care for "Tropic Thunder" either. i don't think Downey understands comedy, really. Lorne Michaels said it best when Downey was on SNL and Michaels asked him if he wanted to be a comedian or an actor and Downey said he was an actor.
Which is fine, but I don't think he'll do great things for "Harvey."
Yes, clearly RDJ doesn't understand comedy. Is that why the crowded theater erupted with laughter during Iron Man and Kiss, Kiss Bang Bang and Tropic Thunder? because he doesnt understand comedy? I'm sure that's why they invited him on SNL and the reason he's headlining Todd Phillips next picture. Because he doesn't understand comedy.