[ad_1]
EXCLUSIVE: After officially hanging up his Iron Man costume in Avengers: Endgame, Robert Downey Jr. appears to have found his next big role to contend with while scoring his first starring TV business. Sources tell Deadline HBO has ordered the A24 drama series adaptation of Viet Thanh Nguyen’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel The sympathizer, with Downey attached to the co-star.
PA
The novel is a spy thriller and cross-cultural satire about the struggles of a half-French, half-Vietnamese Communist spy during the final days of the Vietnam War and his exile in the United States. A worldwide search is underway for the lead role and the rest of the predominantly Vietnamese ensemble.
Described as a “dazzling exploration of identity and America, a gripping spy novel and a powerful story of love and friendship,” the novel is hailed as a new classic in war fiction and has been compared to the works of Kafka, Orwell and the Square.
Related story
Emmy nominations: “The Crown”, “The Mandalorian”; HBO / HBO Max Outperforms Netflix For No.1 – Full Nominee List
Executives will now look to embody the main character who will play alongside Downey.
Old boy Director Park Chan-wook is on board as a co-showrunner, along with Don McKellar, and will also direct the series. Park and McKellar will also produce with Downey, Susan Downey and Amanda Burrell for Team Downey. Niv Fichman will also produce via Rhombus Media, as will Kim Ly. The series is a co-production between HBO, A24 and Rhombus Media in association with Cinetic Media and Moho Film.
The project marks Robert Downey’s first role since his last appearance as iconic Tony Stark aka Iron Man, and the Oscar nominee has been special since the end of his run. (Production on his film 2020 Dolittle started before End of GameAfter weighing multiple offers, sources claim that what made the role so appealing, besides an incredible story, was the opportunity to show off his lineup as an actor. According to insiders, it is poised to take on several supporting roles as primary antagonists – all of whom represent a different branch of the American establishment, including an Orange County congressman, CIA agent, and Hollywood director, among others.
“Adapting the important and masterful work of Mr. Nguyen requires a visionary team,” said Robert Downey. “With Director Park at the helm, I expect this to be a creative production adventure for Susan, me, and Team Downey, and an empowering process for myself in playing these complex supporting roles. HBO are the perfect combination of partners and co-parents.… This is exactly the type of challenge I want, and I think we will provide an exceptional viewing experience for our audiences.
The partnership takes on its full meaning following the collaboration between Team Downey and HBO on Perry Mason, with Team Downey producing the HBO series. Matthew Rhys, who stars in the series, was nominated for an Emmy this week. After the success of this first season, HBO and Team Downey have renewed their global agreement.
This is the latest collaboration between A24 and HBO, who worked together on the Emmy-winning film. Euphoria and the awaited remake of Olivier Assayas Irma Vep, with Alicia Vikander.
Park is best known for achieving Oldboy, Sympathy for Lady Vengeance, and Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance. He is replaced by WME, Industry Entertainment Partners and Hansen Jacobson Teller.
Robert Downey – who reoffended the Ally McBeal in the early 2000s – is replaced by WME and Hansen Jacobson Teller. McKellar is represented by Great North Artists Management.
[ad_2]
Source link