Robert Downey Jr has spent so much of the last decade playing either Iron Man or Sherlock Holmes that when those other projects come along you take notice. So far, his non-franchise roles have been in THE SOLOIST and DUE DATE, two films not quite up to what Downey is capable of (TROPIC THUNDER is the lone exception). This new project sounds interesting, but I am not sure exactly what to think of it yet.
The Hollywood Reporter has Vera Farmiga adding to the cast of Downey’s THE JUDGE which also has Vincent D’Onofrio and Robert Duvall in the cast. Downey is producing the film as well which features him as a successful attorney who returns to his hometown for his mother’s funeral only to discover that his estranged father (Robert Duvall), the town’s judge, is the suspect of a murder. The man sets out to discover the truth and along the way reconnects with the family he walked away from years before.
Farmiga will play a waitress in the small town with a past connection to Downey’s character. Farmiga’s series BATES MOTEL premiered yesterday to big numbers and has previously appeared in THE DEPARTED and UP IN THE AIR. She is a very talented actress who should bring some nice sexy to this dramatic-comedy. Downey definitely has the capability of bridging comedy and drama and I hope this role uses his smart-ass likeability. There is no word on a director for the project, but with shooting looking to start in June, one will likely be named soon.