USA Today had a first look at Robert Downey, Jr. and Jamie Foxx in the Dreamworks film, The Soloist, yesterday.
The Soloist is written by Susannah Grant (Erin Brockovich) and directed by Joe Wright (Atonement), and tells the true story of Nathaniel Ayers (played by Foxx), a musical prodigy who developed schizophrenia during his second year at Juilliard School. Ayers became homeless, playing the violin and the cello in the streets of downtown Los Angeles. Robert Downey, Jr. plays Steve Lopez, a columnist for the Los Angeles Times who developed a friendship while writing an article about Ayers. Catherine Keener and Stephen Root co-star.
Robert Downey, Jr. has been making movies for forever but it seems people are just now realizing he’s a good actor. I find it hard to understand why everyone sees him in Iron Man and all of a sudden realizes he can act when he’s done some great work over the past 20+ years (including an Oscar nomination for Chaplin).
In the USA Today article, Downey actually had to say:
“I’ve loved every part of Iron Man,” says Downey, who will reprise his role in the comic book sequel, out in 2009. “But the last thing you want is to be seen as that guy, who just does that role.”
Whoever thought that Robert Downey, Jr. would be in danger of being labeled that guy? He’s done so many off the wall parts that most people in the industry thought it was weird when he actually got the part in Iron Man.
At any rate, Downey’s career is on a whole new path now and he’s at a level that he’s never enjoyed before thanks to the success of Iron Man. If he can stay clean I think he’s got a real shot at enjoying another 20+ years of fantastic film roles. Jamie Foxx, I’m not too sure about.
You can still read the LA Times article that became the basis for The Soloist right here.
The Soloist is scheduled to hit theaters on November 21, 2008 (just in time for awards season).
Sounds like an interesting movie… plus, I think both are great actors.
This should be a good movie. It’s sad to see the struggles Downey had in the past and sad to think of the great, and most likely brilliant acting that he could have churned out. But it definitely looks like his star is rising again and who knows, he might finally grab an Oscar or two before it’s all said and done with.
The Trousered Apes last blog post..Who was Jesus of Nazareth? Parts 5 thru 10 of 10 with Dr. Craig
Downey is an awesome actor, I’m loving the fact that he’s appearing in more and more stuff.
Definitely – I’m glad that he is all over the place. I would even like to see him pick up some cameo roles in TV again. While I never was an Ally McBeal fan, the only time I watched that show was when he was on it and he did fantastic in that role. He acted circles around everyone else on the show.
The Trousered Apes last blog post..Who was Jesus of Nazareth? Parts 5 thru 10 of 10 with Dr. Craig
Wow, I forgot about that…he was awesome on that show…and that song he sang the one episode? The Christmas song? Man, I have that on my iPod…was really, really good.
Yeah – I have his CD he put out a few years back and it was decent – not great, but good. I have definitely heard much worse (Right Said Fred anyone…?).
He’s sang on stage with Sting before as well (they are friends). So he definitely has talent.
The Trousered Apes last blog post..Who was Jesus of Nazareth? Parts 5 thru 10 of 10 with Dr. Craig
Jason and I were having a conversation about Downey in “Ally McBeal” the other day. I don’t remember the episode where he sang the Christmas song though. I’m not THAT much of a girl.
Man, that sounded like a swipe at Mike…
It’s only a swipe if it’s not true…lol
The Trousered Apes last blog post..Who was Jesus of Nazareth? Parts 5 thru 10 of 10 with Dr. Craig
Well, we had that song on a Christmas Mix that Jina and I did one year, so that’s why I remember
[...] in June, Jason told us about the upcoming film The Soloist, which stars Robert Downey Jr. and Jamie [...]