The Sympathizer: Robert Downey Jr. to play multiple roles in drama series

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

If you thought that having one Robert Downey Jr. in the world was enough, think again. For his first role after Avengers: Endgame, Downey Jr. is slated to play multiple roles in HBO and A24's The Sympathizer drama series.

Based on Viet Thanh Nguyen’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, The Sympathizer is an espionage thriller and cross-culture satire about the struggles of a half-French, half-Vietnamese communist spy during the final days of the Vietnam War and his resulting exile in the United States. Downey Jr. is set to play multiple supporting roles as the main antagonists, each one representing a different arm of the American establishment. According to Deadline, these personas include an up-and-coming Orange County Congressman, a CIA agent, and a Hollywood film director, among others.

Set to direct the series is Park Chan-wook (Oldboy, Stoker), and executives are currently scouring the globe for an actor to take the lead role. Chan-wook will also serve as co-showrunner alongside Don McKellar. Chan-wook and McKellar will also executive produce with Downey Jr., Susan Downey, and Amanda Burrell for Team Downey. Niv Fichman will also executive produce through Rhombus Media as well as Kim Ly.

Nguyen’s novel is considered by many to be a new classic in the realm of war fiction. With that kind of praise being shown for the story, it's no wonder that this project has attracted such heavy-hitters.