Robert Downey Jr. has finally found his next leading role after more than a decade as Marvel’s beloved Tony Stark aka Iron Man. According to Deadline, it’s a television version of Vietnamese-American novelist Viet Thanh Nguyen’s Pulitzer-winning first novel The Sympathizer for HBO and A24. Dolittle, his most recent film, began filming before the completion of Avengers: Endgame.
After 2019’s Avengers: Endgame, this will likewise be Downey Jr.’s first appearance in an acting role. The actor will play an “Orange County congressman, a CIA agent, and a Hollywood film director,” among other hostile characters. South Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook, the director of The Handmaiden and Oldboy, has signed on as the film’s director.
Downey Jr. said in a statement, “Adapting Mr. Nguyen’s important and masterful work requires a visionary team. With director Park at the helm, I expect this to be a creative producing adventure for Susan, me, and Team Downey and a stimulating process for myself in playing these complex supporting roles. A24 and HBO are the perfect combinations of partners and co-parents. It’s exactly the type of challenge I’ve been craving. And I believe we will deliver an exceptional viewing experience to our audience.”
More about Robert Downey Jr.’s The Sympathizer
The Sympathizer is a spy thriller about a half-French, half-Vietnamese communist spy. He works in the closing days of the Vietnam War before getting deported to the United States. The novel is a “blistering exploration of identity and America, a gripping spy novel and a powerful story of love and friendship”.
In 2020, he worked on HBO’s Perry Mason miniseries remake, which starred Matthew Rhys in the title character. A24 is a famous indie company. It is famous for films like Hereditary, Uncut Gems, and also Midsommar. Then, they are recognizable for their low-budget, critically acclaimed, and award-winning films. Euphoria, starring Zendaya, was one of its earlier HBO collaborations.
