Robert Downey Jr. to Play Hugh Hefner?

[Dark Donnie]

Robert Downey Jr. to Play Hugh Hefner in Playboy?

Posted on Sunday, May 25th, 2008 at 8:59 pm by: Hunter Stephenson

“Grotto!?!”

Over the last six months, I’ve had four unrelated sources tell me off the record that Robert Downey Jr. was a total lock to star in a Hugh Hefner biopic entitled Playboy. Of course, this was before Iron Man’s grosses went interstellar. Chicago’s Sun Times now reports that the actor is close to signing on, even though the original director, Brett Ratner, is purportedly no longer attached, but may circle back (I bet.) for producer Brian Grazer.

Would Marvel Studios be cool with Downey Jr. playing a porn magnate? The company recently tossed out the R-rating, so it might be iffy territory. In my view, Tony Stark is not exactly Clark Kent, and this role would only increase Downey’s mainstream visibility. Moreover, Hefner’s story is not mired in smut like a Larry Flynt or a Bob Guccinone–it’s by far the more mainstream rags-to-riches tale. But some people in the know have serious doubts. Is the box office there for this movie? Does Downey need to risk it? Will the film hold relevance in the quickening era of YouPorn and Xtube? They have a point (Playboy is venturing into the gay biz for a reason).

The Sun Times reports that Downey’s people have emphasized that nothing is final until a script and/or director is finalized. As you might expect, there are certain unprecedented benefits to playing this role. We’ll see what happens. Tropic Thunder, which looks to be a huge hit, will only strengthen Downey’s demands and demand

Thought there was a thread?

 

[Joker]

I'd see it.

 

[Compi716]

Can anybody say "PERFECT?"

 

[bullets]

it should be kind of interesting to see the hugh hefner coming of age tale. hef is an inspiration but most of this movie will probably stray from the facts.

 

[fu manchu]

sounds good. hopefully the real hugh hefner is okay with this.



wait.....playboy is going gay? i haven't read a playboy magazine for awhile, maybe that was a good thing.

 

[Joker]

sounds good. hopefully the real hugh hefner is okay with this.



wait.....playboy is going gay? i haven't read a playboy magazine for awhile, maybe that was a good thing.

Playgirl has been around since the 80's, which I'm sure's main audience was gay males...Maybe they're doing some gay porn with there video lines...

 

[fu manchu]

ugh.....i'm hoping it means lots of pics of hot lesbian sex.

 

[Zacky]

i wanna see it

 

[Joker]

ugh.....i'm hoping it means lots of pics of hot lesbian sex.

I'm sure the magazine will still be exactly what it has been forever, but they'll just have a seperate line under the playboy brand name that has a focus on gay guys.

 

[JokerLedger]

You know... I'd rather like it if they made this movie after Hugh Hefner died.
But that's just me.

 

[IRON_Lad]

I'd rather see Stan Lee reprise his role

 

[Cinemaman]

I have no problems seeing RDJ as Hugh Hefnre and the project has potential, unless it's directed by Ratner. But could anybody just tell me what's so intersting in Hefner's life? I don't know so much about him.

 

[Riven]

The only way I could see this being an interesting movie is if Charlie Kaufman wrote the script and made it into one of his typical "semi-fictional biographies", where for instance Hugh Hefner is a pornographer by day and an international superspy by night, saving the world from nuclear war. Or even better, a pornographer by day, an evil genius by night. I mean, the babes, the mansion, the robe... tell me that guy isn't an aspiring James Bond villain.

 

[Cinemaman]

^^^

Ummm, no that would suck. Besides, Kaufman changes his direction, character types and story forms with every new film, so it's amost unpredicatble to forecast what will be his new project like.

 

[Crook]

But could anybody just tell me what's so intersting in Hefner's life? I don't know so much about him.

Lol.

 

[Cinemaman]

Lol.

 

[Crook]

Funny, I had the same reaction. Didn't realize there was anyone in the world that doesn't realize:

Hugh Hefner = Playboy = Nude girls = Fun

 

[SFII]

wait... Playboy is venturing into the gay biz??

anyway, Downey Jr. is too young. but if they're going for the younger version of Hef, then sure. but i think it's too soon for a movie about Hugh Hefner. his life isn't over yet.

 

[Cinemaman]

Funny, I had the same reaction. Didn't realize there was anyone in the world that doesn't realize:

Hugh Hefner = Playboy = Nude girls = Fun

Jeez, I already know this. I meant details, which would make the movie worthy to even exist. Yeah, he is a creator of Playboy, but is that all?

 

[Gotham]

Hugh Jackman has been rumored for the longest time. The resemblance to one another is uncanny, and I'd be all for Jackman as Hefner.

 

[Crook]

Jeez, I already know this. I meant details, which would make the movie worthy to even exist. Yeah, he is a creator of Playboy, but is that all?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugh_Hefner

He's done plenty.

Hugh Jackman has been rumored for the longest time. The resemblance to one another is uncanny, and I'd be all for Jackman as Hefner.

I'm gonna have to disagree. If there's anyone in Hollywood with the closest resemblance to a young Hefner, it's Aaron Eckhart:

 

[terry78]

They have to title this movie "Hef." They just have to.

 

[tzarinna]

Nice.... keep on rockin Downey.

 

[The Shredder]

Downey as Hef?

Sounds good to me.