Universal Pictures is aiming to collaborate again with Robert Downey Jr., their Oscar-winning Oppenheimer star. The studio has recently acquired the rights to Julianna Baggott’s short story The Hider.
According to Deadline, Downey Jr. is being considered to star in the adaptation. Screenwriters Andrew Barrer and Gabriel Ferrari, known for Ant-Man and the Wasp, Transformers One, and No Exit, will adapt the short story for the film.
The film is in the early stages of development, with plot details kept under wraps. Downey Jr., Susan Downey, and Amanda Burrell will produce the film through Team Downey. Tory Tunnell and Joby Harold will produce through Safehouse Pictures. Julianna Baggott will serve as an executive producer. Finneas Scott will co-produce the film.
The project will be overseen by Matt Reilly, Universal’s Executive Vice President of Production Development.
The reunion between Universal Pictures and Robert Downey Jr. follows his Oscar win for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Oppenheimer—directed by Christopher Nolan—and comes after he recently received an Emmy nomination for his performance in the HBO limited series The Sympathizer. Additionally, Downey Jr. made his Broadway debut in McNeal—a new drama by Pulitzer-winning playwright Ayad Akhtar—while Team Downey’s recent projects include Netflix’s Sweet Tooth and the HBO series Perry Mason.
Barrer and Ferrari most recently wrote the Paramount animated film Transformers One. Their previous credits include Ant-Man and the Wasp and No Exit.
Source: Deadline
