Robert Downey Jr. has dropped out of Cowboys & Aliens, the Dreamworks/Universal sci-fi project that would have reunited the actor with his Iron Man director Jon Favreau. The news was first reported by the Los Angeles Times but only speculated on why Downey had left the project, which pits Old West cowboys and indians against a group of aliens with superior technology. Now, a source inside the production tells EW.com that the star has a scheduling conflict with a Sherlock Holmes sequel. That film has not yet been greenlit by Warner Bros., but it is being fast-tracked based on the success of the first film. (Sherlock’s worldwide gross is fast approaching $300 million.) Warner Bros. commissioned a script by Kieran and Michele Mulroney back in September and is now locking down the cast for a June start date, exactly the time when Cowboys & Aliens is set to begin principal photography. Producers behind Cowboys & Aliens are sticking with original plans and are now looking for a new lead to play cowboy Zeke Jackson, the hero of the 2006 graphic novel from Platinum Studios.
Jan 12
2010
01:38 AM ET
Robert Downey Jr. opts out of 'Cowboys & Aliens' for 'Sherlock Holmes sequel'
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Well for a while I had been looking forward to Downey in the role but with Sherlock and Iron Man he has created two very distinct characters for franchises. he doesn’t need 3. I’d rather see him do another Sherlock Holmes. I guess Nathan Fillion isn’t a big enough name to replace him huh?
Ryan!! Nathan Fillion would be an inspired choice!
If you don’t have time to date, then you don’t have time for another someone in your life. That’s what any respectable, stand on her feet, lady would tell you.
Can I also say – i HATE – message like these in threads.
Oh I am in on Fillion
oh Tara don’t be Bitch. It’s hard to meet someone…
Ha!
Cowboys and Aliens doesn’t sound all that great, but if Nate Fillion is in, then so am I!!!
Good decision
Let’s start the letter writing now. He’s a big enough star with Castle to be able to headline a movie. Plus, we all know how well he pulls off suspenders!
YES!YES!YES!YES!YES!YES! NATHAN WOULD BE GREAT!
The only problem with that is with a likely 3rd season of Castle, it would conflict with tis movie’s principal photography. Boo.
Pardon me while I have a fangirly fit of nostalgia over the idea of seeing Fillion in suspenders again.
Totally agree. Why would he go for a 3rd franchise. I read somewhere that he wants to retire from acting. I can see him doing sequels for about 3-4 movies and then leaving; or doing something more challenging like indie drama. Denzel Washington stated in an interview he wanted to return to the stage. he’s through with making formula movies; and I can see Downey doing the same within 5 years.
He had been doing Indie drama—people just thought he was gone.
NATHAN FILLION……YES!YES!YES!YES!YES!YES!YES!YES!YES!YES!YES!YES!
Ryan, I guess you’re NOT a big enough name to replace him, huh???
D U H.
Not just suspenders, but we all forget to mention Space and CowboysHe has experience with both!!!
The Cowboys concept sounds stupid…utterly stupid…but the American public will eat up anything that Hollyweird gives it.
Sally, do not trash the concept until you’ve read the original novel (graphic or otherwise).
The concept sounds fun and delightfully nostalgiac…with Favreau helming it’ll probably be a fun throwback.
Sounds good, maybe the stupidity is on your end.
Im surprised Sam WOrthington hasn’t been offered the role yet.
That would be awesome. He’s my new favorite actor. But I don’t know if he has that quirky side, most of the roles he’s done have been kind of serious. He seems more like a new Russell Crowe to me.
Ooooh, Sam Worthington is so HOT now. I would love to see him in anything. For me its a draw between Sam & Captain Tightpants. I think either one of them would be fantastic as the lead in this.
Who do we write to? Is there an email address for the studio? We should definitely organize this…
Call your agent Tom Cruise
Hugh Laurie should be cast as Professor Moriarty!
That would be Sooooooooooooo Coooooool!!!!
But Holmes *is* Moriarty. Why would you cast somebody else?
Cowboys and Indians versus Aliens? Pass! I’d much rather see a Sherlock sequel. My dad is a HUGE fan of the character, has read all the books and got me and my mom hooked, on the movies, with Jeremy Brett.
Jack Nicholson warned you.
Nathan Fillion would be awesome in that role!
Maybe Nathan Fillon would be a good replacement for the part, but has anyone considered Ryan Reynolds?
Yes, please!
Ryan Reynolds is already green Lantern and eventually Deadpool again. This would be a franchise. Like Downey, he doesn’t need 3.
I second the Hugh Laurie for Moriarty decision and so many Americans love House it’d be a casting people would get excited for
Deadpool will not become a franchise, IMO.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Either Ryan or Nathan – I would watch them in anything (or in nothing which would be even better!)
Hahaha, funny !! XD
Ditto
Jeremy Renner baby.
YES! Jeremy Renner would be awesome. I LOVED him in the Unusuals until it was of course CANCELLED. Though, surely there must be more than ONE cowboy. Nathan and Jeremy and Ryan… Oh MY!
I think the Hugh’s have it. Hugh Laurie as Moriarty would be great. For Cowboys, how about Hugh Jackman for the lead role? He needs another role than Wolverine and he could easily pull it off!
Cowboys and Aliens, huh ? Weird and sounds funny….
Well, for the lead…..how about Hugh Jackman, Ryan Reynolds, Christian “3:10 to Yuma” Bale or dare I say long shot, Bruce “Adventures of Brisco County Jr.” Campbell ?
I was think more of Johnny Depp…..his British accent is good, and I think the light touch of camp Ritchie had for the movie would make him a great foil
i think they should wait for him
I agree with this. I don’t see what’s the rush.
Personnally I’d love to see Woody Harrelson do Cowboy vs Aliens, he was awesome in Zombieland!
Woody Harrelson is awesome in everything.
Yeah, better stick with Holmes.
As for Space Cowboys or whatever, Faverau should cast his old Swingers buddy Vince Vaughn in the lead