Robert Downey Jr. Signs Up with Universal for The Hider

Robert Downey Jr. Signs Up with Universal for The Hider

As a long-time fan of Robert Downey Jr.’s versatile acting skills and his knack for breathing life into diverse characters, I am thrilled to see him stepping out of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s shadow with Universal Pictures’ upcoming adaptation of Julianna Baggott’s short story, “The Hider.


Universal Pictures has secured the rights to Julianna Baggott’s celebrated short story “The Hider.” The plan is to cast Robert Downey Jr., known for his role in “Oppenheimer,” as the main character. At this stage, details are scarce since the project is only in its initial stages. However, Downey Jr. is also expected to produce the film alongside Susan Downey and Amanda Burnell under their production company, Team Downey.

Months following Robert Downey Jr.’s Oscar win for his supporting role in the blockbuster “Oppenheimer”, it was disclosed by Deadline that the studio has expressed interest in collaborating with him again. This time, they’re planning to adapt “The Hider” for the big screen, a script written by Andrew Barrer and Gabriel Ferrari, known for their work on hits like “Transformers One” and “Ant-Man and the Wasp”. Although Downey Jr.’s involvement as an actor hasn’t been confirmed yet, he will produce the project through Team Downey. Tory Tunnell and Joby Harold of Safehouse Pictures are also on board as producers. The original author of “The Hider”, Julianna Baggott, currently holds an executive producer credit.

Julianna Baggott, a prolific author for three decades, has penned novels, short stories, essays, and poetry. Her work has gained significant attention, with some pieces making their way to the silver screen. For instance, Netflix acquired the rights to her story “Backwards” in 2022, while two other stories found a home at Paramount. The adaption of her novel “The Hider” by Universal Pictures is also on the horizon, although they’re keeping the details under wraps for now. However, with Robert Downey Jr. involved, it’s sure to be an exciting project worth looking forward to.

Breaking Out of the MCU Mold

Robert Downey Jr. Signs Up with Universal for The HiderRobert Downey Jr. Signs Up with Universal for The HiderRobert Downey Jr. Signs Up with Universal for The HiderRobert Downey Jr. Signs Up with Universal for The Hider

Without a doubt, Downey Jr., who kick-started the Marvel Cinematic Universe by starring in the initial Marvel film, has now discarded his superhero persona – although he’ll don the villain’s mask within the MCU at some point soon. However, since his Iron Man days, Downey Jr.’s diverse acting and artistic abilities have been evident, with The Hider being another instance of this versatility. Moreover, Downey Jr.’s Oscar-winning portrayal in Oppenheimer appeared to free him from the mold of the MCU, allowing him to display a more subtle finesse in Nolan’s intense historical drama.

Despite often being recognized for other roles, Downey Jr.’s performance in the HBO limited series “The Sympathizer” stood out as another impressive display of his acting talent. Based on Viet Thanh Nguyen’s novel of the same name, this project showcases Downey Jr.’s adaptability to book-to-screen projects. In this black comedy spy thriller, he played four distinct characters. Amanda Burnell from Team Downey, who is also involved in “The Hider,” noted that playing multiple roles in one production was a creative risk for Downey Jr., but she expressed that he was fully prepared to meet the challenge.

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2024-10-13 01:01