Robert Downey Jr. Eyes ‘Vertigo’ Remake

‘Peaky Blinders’ Steven Knight is writing a new script for the film, which will exist in the shadow of the Alfred Hitchcock classic.

Robert Downey Jr. in 'Iron Man 3'

We have clearly reached an age where no film, no matter its classic status, is safe from a studio deciding to dip into its back catalogue and decide that a new version could work.

The latest title in those particular crosshairs, according to Deadline, is Alfred Hitchcock’s 1958 thriller ‘Vertigo’, which starred James Stewart and Kim Novak.

With the studio –– like several others –– raiding its existing title list for new content, the plan is to have ‘Peaky Blinders’ and ‘See’s Steven Knight (who also just jumped into the ‘Star Wars’ galaxy) write a fresh take on the original story.

Vertigo

"Alfred Hitchcock engulfs you in a whirlpool of terror and tension!"

PG2 hr 9 minMay 9th, 1958

Showtimes & Tickets

Watch Vertigo Online

What was the original ‘Vertigo’ about?

Directed and produced by Hitchcock, ‘Vertigo’ was based on the 1954 novel ‘D’entre les morts’ (‘From Among the Dead’) by Boileau-Narcejac and adapted by screenwriters Alec Coppel and Samuel A. Taylor.

The film stars Stewart as former police detective John “Scottie” Ferguson, who has retired after an incident in the line of duty caused him to develop acrophobia (an extreme fear of heights) and vertigo, a false sense of rotational movement.

Scottie is hired by an acquaintance, Gavin Elster (Tom Helmore), as a private investigator to follow Gavin’s wife Madeleine (Kim Novak), who is behaving strangely.

Of course, as Scottie digs into the case, he comes to learn there is far more to it than that, and his life could be at risk…

(L to R) James Stewart and Kim Novak in Alfred Hitchcock's 'Vertigo.'

What’s going on with the new version?

It’s still early days, but Robert Downey Jr. has expressed an interested in starring, taking on the Stewart role. He’s also aboard to produce via his Team Downey company, alongside Davis Entertainment’s John Davis and John Fox.

The Hitchcock estate controls the rights to the movie and has granted Paramount the go-ahead to make this new version, but the bigger question might be how it’ll work in the shadow of the original.

Other Hitchcock movies have been remade with varying levels of success, but few if any are regarded as highly as the originals.

And let’s not forget, the last time Robert Downey Jr. starred in and produced a remake, we got ‘Dolittle’. We’re naturally hoping for better things this time around –– assuming the new film goes ahead.

Downey Jr. has taken his foot off the gas on the acting front somewhat since finishing up his tenure in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Besides ‘Dolittle’, he’s only appeared in ‘Sr’, the documentary about his father, Robert Downey Sr. Yet he will be back on our screens this year in Christopher Nolan’s ‘Oppenheimer’, due in theaters on July 21st.

Behind the scenes, he’s been much more active, producing all manner of TV shows in particular, including HBO’s ‘Perry Mason’ and ‘Sweet Tooth’ on Netflix.