When A-list actors make the move to directing, they usually do it with a high-profile project. It’s a high-risk, high-reward gamble where if they pull off their directing feat, they’ll open up a whole new avenue in their career, but if they fail, they’ll likely be stuck as an actor (not that being a rich and famous actor is a tragic fate or anything).
However,Robert Downey Jr.is taking a slightly different approach for his directing debut. According toThe Wrap, Downey will produce and directSingularity, a new TV series starringAnthony Michael Hall. Downey will produce alongside his wifeSusan Downeyas part of their Team Downey Productions. The show is part of the first look deal they have with Sonar Entertainment.
Plot details are currently under wraps, but Hall is set to lead the project with Downey Jr. directing the pilot.
I like this move for Downey. While he’s worked with a wide array of directors during his decades-long career, he’s not assuming he can just hit it out of the park with a feature. Instead, he’s going to try his hand at television, and he’s going to be working with people who he trusts (Downey and Hall previously co-starred in the 1988 filmJohnny Be Good).
It’s unknown when the project will go in front of cameras. Downey has a busy slate (again, this might be why he chose to do a television episode rather than a feature film, although pilot episodes are more intensive since they set the tone for the whole series) ahead of him since he’s filmingAvengers: Infinity WarandAvengers 4for a large chunk of 2017 and he’s got aPerry MasonTV series in the works over at HBO.
As for Hall, he’ll next be seen in Ben Affleck’sLive by Nightlater this year, and he’s co-starring in the Netflix filmWar MachinewithBrad PittandTilda Swinton.
