Downey as Lestat in Anne Rice's 'Vampire Chronicles'?

So how about the possibility of Robert Downey, Jr. as the vampire Lestat? That's apparently where the Anne Rice series might be headed next, according to Bloody Disgusting, which reports tonight that Iron Man is in discussions to assume the role most often linked to Tom Cruise's work in Interview with the Vampire. Universal is rebooting the franchise, because nothing spreads in Hollywood like the latest trend. Vampires are hotter than ever, reaching across several demographics thanks to Twilight, True Blood, Let the Right One In, and of course, the neverending appeal of George Hamilton. The Rice novels have sold plenty, although I have to confess I've never been able to finish one. I've tried...I just get so bored. That's true of a lot of fiction, though. If Downey signs up for The Vampire Chronicles - and he spent so much time being one of the most gifted actors of his generation nobody would hire that it's hard to complain about him going for the money - it would give the recent Oscar nominee three possible franchises. Iron Man we know about, they're going to try going that route with Sherlock Holmes, and there are so many Anne Rice books that it would certainly make sense for Universal to commit to two or three movies now. The reason the Cruise movie never lead to anything is because it was produced and distributed by Geffen Pictures, which was only around for a handful of years, with David Geffen selling the company to Univeral, oddly enough, back in 1997. I suppose Downey cold make a good Lestat, although that other great actor from the 80s and 90s so long overlooked (Johnny Depp) would be my first choice. Good thing he's got Dark Shadows.

Comments

[Christian Avila]

Johnny Depp was originally offered the role of Lestat, but turned it down. Also, Christian Slater stepped in to play Daniel after River Phoenix died.

[Lengthy Johnson]

Nah, don't like this idea.

Robert Downey Junior is doing too much work at the moment. He is repeating himself and won't do lestat any differently from, say, Iron Man.

Tom Cruise at least stepped out of his comfort zone when doing Lestat. We need an actor at a similar stage in his career.

Perhaps Bale would be interested in reinventing himself after a year of regression in his acting abilities?