Anne Rice Loves Robert Downey Jr
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By Dave Gonzales on
August 17, 2009
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Last Friday we learned that Universal is reviving their efforts to make furthur films from the novels that comprise Ann Rice's Vampire Chronicles series. The existing films, Interview With A Vampire and Queen Of The Damned were only two of 10, which leaves plenty of room for franchise expansion.
Robert Downey Jr is rumored to be in discussions to take over the role of the vampire Lestat, previously played by Tom Cruise and Stuart Townsend. I vaguely recall rumors that Ann Rice did not approve of the casting of Tom Cruise, and fairly certain I've read that she didn't like the film version of Queen Of The Damned (or had not lived up to its potential), so when someone asked her to address the Robert Downey Jr rumor, I'm not surprised that she answered:
I’m delighted to comment. First off, I cannot confirm or deny the rumor. I have not received official word as to the truth of it yet. But I can say without hesitation that I love Robert Downey Jr. and I think he would make a fabulous Vampire Lestat. He is a major actor, a powerhouse of talent and personality, and he evinces an irrepressible and seductive charm. He would bring great energy and skill to the role. I would love to see this happen. I’ve loved Robert Downey Jr. ever since I saw him in Restoration years ago, and I thought he was magical and powerful in Iron Man. —- So I hope the rumors are true [...] I’m thrilled at the prospect that this rumor might be true.
Those are some precisely worded kind words in the direction of Robert Downey Jr, whose involvement would undoubtably make the possibility of more Vampire Chronicles movies a certainty.
Rice also spoke to why there haven't been more adaptations of her novels in the years since Queen Of The Damned:
The rights were controlled by one studio for a very long time; and though there was constant interest, that one studio controlled whether or not something got made. The rights are no longer with that studio. And my agents are working diligently on the new possibilities. —– I have often wondered why so few movies have been made from my work. I think the problem lies in the fact that I wrote rather long series of books. If a studio buys one of a series, that studio wants to tie up the whole series. It is a built in problem. — I can’t complain.
I'm sure Universal will find something to do with her rather long series of books, especially in this period of studio releases where vampires and Robert Downey Jr get you both sparring sets of the Comic Con audience.
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Tags: Universal, Robert Downey Jr., News |
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