The star of 'Iron Man' allegedly is in close talks to play Lestat de Lioncourt in a possible rebooted vampire franchise based on Anne Rice's popular novels.
- Aug 15, 2009
AceShowbiz - Robert Downey Jr. could be trading his Iron Man suit with vampire fangs for "The Vampire Chronicles". According to Bloody-Disgusting, the Tony Stark aka Iron Man in "Iron Man" is in "close talks" to star as French nobleman-turned-vampire Lestat de Lioncourt in a big screen return for Anne Rice's popular fiction.
Should the rumor is true, Downey Jr. will be the third actor to take on Lestat, the narrator and main character of the majority of Rice's vampire tale series. Tom Cruise has portrayed Lestat in 1994's "Interview with the Vampire" and Stuart Townsend followed Cruise's footsteps in 2003 with "Queen of the Damned".
Bloody-Disgusting reported that Universal Pictures is looking to revamp the film franchise. Details on how the studio is planning to do the reboot and which Anne Rice novel(s) the film is going to be drawing from are yet to be disclosed.
In early July, Anne Rice wrote on her official site about potential future film projects. "We will see high quality films based on the adventures of Lestat and his friends in the future," the statement read. "We will see a fine film some day of Ramses the Damned. The Mayfair Witches will have new life in film."
"The Christ the Lord books will some day make it to the screen. Angel Time, and the future adventures of Toby O'Dare, will make it to television or film. When I have solid news of a new film based on any of my works, I will post it on this website." So far, she is yet to share any further info about a new feature project.
Robert Downey Jr. has wrapped up filming for his two upcoming movies, "Sherlock Holmes" and "Iron Man 2" the sequel to 2008 blockbuster "Iron Man". In 2008, the 44-year-old received his second Academy Award nomination. It was for his portrayal of Kirk Lazarus in "Tropic Thunder".
