First ‘Dolittle’ Trailer Starring Robert Downey Jr.

Robert Downey Jr’s Doctor Dolittle reboot, Dolittle has finally been revealed and it looks like we’ll be getting something much closer to the original source material than the 1990s Eddie Murphy reboot. While the look is very reminiscent of the 1960s musical with Rex Harrison, this one doesn’t appear to have any songs (which is a good thing). What the trailer does have, is a very oddly paced adaptation of What a Wonder World that feels like it’s trying to put an inspirational tone on the film.

It will be very interesting to see what new spin RDJ can bring to the classic tale of a doctor who can talk to the animals. At the very least, he’s brought all his friends to fill out an all-star voice cast of his menagerie that includes  Rami Malek, Octavia Spencer, Kumail Nanjiani, John Cena, Emma Thompson, Marion Cotillard, Frances de la Tour, Carmen Ejogo, Ralph Fiennes, Selena Gomez, Tom Holland, Craig Robinson as well as live acting roles from Antonio Banderas, Michael Sheen, and Jim Broadbent.

Robert Downey Jr. electrifies one of literature’s most enduring characters in a vivid reimagining of the classic tale of the man who could talk to animals: Dolittle. After losing his wife seven years earlier, the eccentric Dr. John Dolittle (Downey), 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, Wild Rose) 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 (Dunkirk’s Harry Collett) and a raucous coterie of animal friends, including an anxious gorilla (Oscar® winner Rami Malek), an enthusiastic but bird-brained duck (Oscar® winner Octavia Spencer), a bickering duo of a cynical ostrich (The Big Sick*’s Kumail Nanjiani) and an upbeat polar bear (John Cena, *Bumblebee) and a headstrong parrot (Oscar® winner Emma Thompson), who serves as Dolittle’s most trusted advisor and confidante. The film also stars Antonio Banderas, Michael Sheen (The Queen) and Oscar® winner Jim Broadbent and features additional voice performances from Oscar® winner Marion Cotillard, Frances de la Tour, Carmen Ejogo, Ralph Fiennes, Selena Gomez, Tom Holland, and Craig Robinson. Directed by Academy Award® winner Stephen Gaghan (Syriana, Traffic), Dolittle is produced by Joe Roth and Jeff Kirschenbaum under their Roth/Kirschenbaum Films (Alice in Wonderland, Maleficent) and Susan Downey (Sherlock Holmes franchise, The Judge) for Team Downey. The film is executive produced by Robert Downey Jr., Sarah Bradshaw (The Mummy, Maleficent) and Zachary Roth (Maleficent: Mistress of Evil).