The ‘Iron Man’ actor plays an animal talker who embarks on a whimsical journey with his animal friends to a mythical island in search of a cure for the ailing queen.

AceShowbiz –
Robert Downey Jr. embarks on a new kind of adventure after ending his stint in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The “Iron Man” actor plays the title character in Universal’s upcoming fantasy film “Dolittle“, which is based on the character Doctor Dolittle created by Hugh Lofting.

The first official trailer for the movie, which was previously known as “The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle” has been made available for viewing pleasure, showing Downey Jr. as the man who could talk to animals in “a vivid reimagining of the classic tale.”

According to the film’s description, after losing his wife seven years earlier, the eccentric Dr. John Dolittle, famed doctor and veterinarian of Queen Victoria’s England, hermits himself away behind the high walls of Dolittle Manor with only his menagerie of exotic animals for company.

But when the young queen (Jessie Buckley) falls gravely ill, a reluctant Dolittle is forced to set sail on an epic adventure to a mythical island in search of a cure, regaining his wit and courage as he crosses old adversaries and discovers wondrous creatures.

The doctor is joined on his quest by a young, self-appointed apprentice (Harry Collett) and a raucous coterie of animal friends, including an anxious gorilla (Rami Malek), an enthusiastic but bird-brained duck (Octavia Spencer), a bickering duo of a cynical ostrich (Kumail Nanjiani) and an upbeat polar bear (John Cena) and a headstrong parrot (Emma Thompson), who serves as Dolittle’s most trusted advisor and confidante.

Supporting the star-studded voice cast are Antonio Banderas, Michael Sheen, Jim Broadbent, Marion Cotillard, Frances de la Tour, Carmen Ejogo, Ralph Fiennes, Selena Gomez, Tom Holland and Craig Robinson. Academy Award winner Stephen Gaghan serves as director, in addition to co-writing the script with John Whittington.

Produced by Joe Roth, Jeff Kirschenbaum and Susan Downey, with Downey Jr., Sarah Bradshaw and Zachary Roth as executive producers, the fantasy comedy film is set to head to U.S. theaters on January 17, 2020.