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Universal Wants Robert Downey Jr. as Their New Lestat?

by Alex Billington
August 14, 2009
Source: Bloody-Disgusting

Yep, we're talking about the vampire Lestat de Lioncourt, the French noblemen who was made into a vampire in the 18th century. Bloody-Disgusting is reporting that Universal is developing another adaptation of Anne Rice's The Vampire Chronicles, to continue on that franchise that first hit the big screen back in 1994 with Interview with the Vampire. They don't have any details on what's going on with the reboot or which Anne Rice novel(s) they're going to be drawing from, but they do say that Robert Downey Jr. is in "close talks" to play the vampire Lestat. Thanks to Twilight, we're really in the thick of vampire mania now.

Lestat de Lioncourt is a fictional vampire and the main character in the majority of Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles novels, which are narrated in first person. Lestat was first portrayed on screen by Tom Cruise in Neil Jordan's Interview with the Vampire and later by Stuart Townsend in Michael Rymer's Queen of the Damned. However, that was the last time we saw Lestat, back in 2002. As much as I love Robert Downey Jr., I'm really just getting tired of frickin' vampire movies - they're popping up at every studio. Interview is undeniably one of the classics, but why reboot it just because the trend right now is vampires? Come on!

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Related categories: Casting, Movie News, Rumors

gabe the Accuser

interesting!!!!!
gabe the Accuser

I always felt that They should have continued on with Tom Cruise... but oh well. We sure are expreiencing Vampire overload I think. I really like True Blood.
zonk

what other vampire chronicle movies is he referring to there?
http://www.firstshowing.net Alex Billington

Oh wait, crap, you're right, there aren't others... Fixing now zonk.
Silver

RDJ wtf
Caitie

No!!!!!!! I love those books I don't see why they can't just bring Tom Cruise back again. I love RDJ but I can't see him playing Lestat at all.
Dan W

When will they stop making vampire movies!!?!?!?!!
Kevin

I welcome this...just get a good director attached to it. I always wished that Neil Jordan would have made more Lestat movies...Interview was pretty awesome (with the exception of the Guns n Roses "Sympathy for the Devil" at the end...that was just horrible).
SC

just please don't reboot Interview.....either make an adaptation of one of the other books or remake Queen of the Damned....the only redeeming quality of that movie was that Jonathan Davis wrote the music
L

I love RDJ, don't get me wrong, but this is NOT the role for him. Tom Cruise did a great job, though imperfect. Why not just get Depp, who's eccentric, flamboyant, charismatic nature makes him perfect for this role?
bltzie

I've read some of the books and Tom Cruise was perfect. Johnny Depp is not a bad idea but Downey Jr is a terrible idea.
Lazarus from Sparta!!!!

People...this is normal...Hollywood goes through it fads like any medium...in the 90's disater movies...early 2000's super hero movies and horror flick reboots...Now its back to Vampires...
Kevin

I for one welcome this (Even with the rash of vampire movies lately). I love the Vampire Chronicles, and I think the existing movies are a total disservice to them, _especially_ Queen of the Damned. That was an abomination of a film. Interview wasn't all that great, either, having watched it directly after reading the book. Leagues above Queen, but still not that great. I wish Anne Rice would collaborate on the movies, but sadly, she has found religion, and doesn't work on Vampire lore any longer.
http://twitter.com/gimmesumsuga Mathieu

I love Robert Downey Jr. and I'm thrilled he's become a megastar after all these years of squandering his potential. It would be great for him to add yet another cool franchise to Iron Man and Sherlock, but I don't think this is it. If they intend to make a series of them, and vampires are ageless... well... you can see where I'm going with this.
Xerxex

You know I think he can pull it off, just look at Tropic Thunder he was a convincing Black Guy and Convincing Australian, and a somewhat convincing Irishmen, so I say let him play Lestat might be great!
Sabes

I don't think Robert Downey could pull it off. He's just not Lestat. The only closest I've seen between the two who have portrayed him is Tom Cruise. Though he is a great actor, he's just too old. Lestat is suppose to be in his twenties. Someone mentioned Depp, and I'm sorry I wouldn't like him either. Again, he doesn't fit and is too old. Interview was a fine movie. I want Queen of the Damned remade! They pissed on that book, which I believe was the greatest out of the series. Hell, make two movies out of it (since it's got so much to it) and make more money.
Faust

I agree that there is too much vampire shit popping up now... but then again I love True Blood... shit!
http://www.crabby.com crabby

Horrible idea.
somwerbtwnblungrn

This is the vampire movie/series that people should be watching & studies producing. Interview with the Vampire is the definite vampire lore not the tweeny twilight. But I agree with the rest, RDJ is just to old to play this part. Lestat is a rock'n'roll vampire, like an ageless Steve Tyler. I think Stuart Townsend gave justice to his portrayal in Queen - why not him? The Queen movie was bad because the book was butchered too much by the writers. I think the only reason RDJ is being attached to this is is for name recognition.
http://www.firstshowing.net Donald Buxton

TOM CRUISE IS THE ONLY LESTAT. THAT'S ALL THERE IS TO IT.
Max

Nooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!
Paulks Thought's

Yea another vampire movie...............................................................NOT! I like RDJr but I hate it when movie crap like Twilight come out and then all the studios feel the need to jump into the same pool. Come on! Gets some damn originality!
TheManWithNoName

It's kind of funny reading the comments and seeing people actually wanting Tom Cruise to take on a role. I do agree of course. It's just funny reading the comments.
Daniel Molloy

I await to see what they do with this with equal parts wariness and contemptuous, morbid interest. While 'Interview' was by no means bad and is often underrated, it did leave a lot of important sequences of the book on the cutting-room floor. The price of a very wordy book being adapted to screen, I understand. 'Queen of the Damned,' on the other hand, was a heaping pile of bullsh*t and chips. There's a rumour that they waited so long to do the film so Tom Cruise's contract to play Lestat in any further VC movies, which was set to last exactly ten years, would lapse, allowing them to utterly rape the source material. So, like all people made cynical by knowledge of history, in regards to the quality and fidelity to the source material of this new movie venture, I'll believe it when I see it. I don't mind Downey Jr as an actor, but I doubt I could tolerate him as Lestat without quite a lot of physical transformation (wig, lenses, facial prosthesis makeup, fangs, the absolute lot, to say nothing of weight loss), and all in all it may be simpler to just cast someone else. I know big names draw big crowds, but use your heads; Downey's no Lestat.
Felix

Reboots/remakes and vampires seems to be the theme of 2009, this seems like where we were ultimately going to - a reboot/remake of a vampire movie. I don't like either, I don't know anything about Lestat other than what Wikipedia can tell me and I'll have to agree with the other comments, Downey doesn't fit that role.
zoeeyfan

there are lots of books with lestat in it, I dont think they need to reboot perse
jasonmd2020

I don't want to type cast anyone, but seriously get the guy who plays Eric Northman on True Blood. Dude looks like what I pictured in the novels. http://www.allocine.fr/personne/galerievignette_gen_cpersonne=79275&cmediafichier=18972049.html
malory knox

Damn!!! ENOUGH with the boring pseudo mysterious vampire movies!!! nothing new, same old regurgitated crap. Give me a break already, give me real monsters not some teenage goth fantasy bullshit! "oooh a SEXY vampire..." I want to see a movie where all those "I wish I was a vampire" dorks got eaten and mangled..raped and mutilated..SEXY!!!! I really like RDJ and I hope he doesnt screw himself on this one...
annonymous

I think RDJ would make a fantastic Lestat. He is a very method actor and changes his body to fit any character he plays. He was Kirk Lazarus in Tropic Thunder. Lazarus had blonde hair and blue eyes. He dropped his weight down to 145-150 for Sherlock Holmes. As, for Johnny Depp being Lestat? RDJ is just as talented, charismatic, flambouyant and handsome. Tom Cruise and JD are also 2-3 years older in age than RDJ. RDJ is the younger actor of the three and he is also the most fit and tallest of the three. So really no more with the age thing or height issues. I truly believe that RDJ can do this and that he will be fantastic. I really would hate to see the role go to another no talent, unseasoned younger actor. They truly do need to get a great actor and director to do this. I read in a couple of articles that Tom Cruise and Johnny Depp both auditioned for IronMan. RDJs' screen test must've been better because he won the role. Johnny Depp also auditioned for Chaplin and lost it to RDJ. So, RDJs' method acting style and appearance changes and talent must be working. I truly think he'll do it justice. He'll read the books, then change his appearance again. He wants to become the character he's playing. If he decides to do this I know he'll make the role proud.
S

I agree with those above that want to keep Tom Cruise as Lestat. I pretend Queen of the Damned doesn't exist. It's easier that way. I also don't consider "Twilight" a vampire novel. To do such pisses on all the lore and great work of people that wrote about actual vampires. God damned shimmery bull shit vegan fag "vampires". Since we've got this vampire trend going, Vampire Hunter D, anyone?
moldybread

RDJ has certainly come into his own these days, however....I always pictured Alan Rickman in the role of Lestat...he would be hands down PERFECT in that role....
zonk

vampire haters, shove off. if vampire stories aren't your thing, then don't watch it. everyone's got their preferred genres of fiction, & just because this isn't yours, there's nothing to be gained by talking trash. yes, twilight sucked. yes, queen of the damned was butchered beyond unrecognizability. i've always been a fan of 'interview' though; it was a very good adaptation of the book for the most part. i've always thought that anne rice had some of the tightest vampire 'rules', if you will, & a more engaging mythos. (how many vampire movie haters here actually read even 1 or 2 of the vampire chronicles?) the fact is, vampire fiction never, really, truly, goes out of style. people have been writing vampire stories for centuries, & making movies of them since there's been movies. but yes, not all stories are created equal, & the movies rarely hold up to too much scrutiny. personally, i'd be stoked to see a proper adaptation of the vampire lestat, although i'm not sure robert downey jr. is the man-- lestat was supposed to be 20 when he was made. and 6" tall. tom cruise must have been standing on milk crates the whole time they were filming interview!
Hatori Hanzo

This bites. I agree with Alex; vampire overload. Every studio wants their own vampire to sink their bloody teeth in. But there is one thing that Hollywood knows better than anyone else, they know how to make things that suck big time!
Ash

I love Robert Downey Jr, but seriously, as Lestat? No. Just, no
Martina

Why would they make another Interview? No, I seriously think that they are going to film one of the eifgt remaining novels from the Chronicles. First, when I heard about Downey Jr becoming Lestat, I was thrilled. He's a great actor, great comedian, he really can become somebody else in the role - BUT !!! He woudl do better Marius than Lestat. Lestat is supposed to be 19 or 22 years old (don't remember), with cheeky and sharp features. After all, he is The Brat Prince. He should look more feminine - like e.g. Cruise (perfect for the character!) or the other guy who played him. But Downey looks more mature, and much more masculine that those two guys - and he looked terrible with the blond dye in Tropic Thunder. I know he CAN capture the character (in amazing way), but seriously... he looks like somebody else - not perfect choice for Lestat.
bozoconnors

No. Rob is already plenty busy without this nonsense. Interview was the first and only Vampire Chronicle movie. After that last abomination of an attempt without Cruise, why bother? This is a lose/lose. Mrs. Rice has moved on - so shall I.
Jake Yenor

no more movies like this so boreeeeeeeed - Jake Yenor
David Banner

Glad to hear they dropped TC, but they choose wrong, RDJ does not = Lestat, too bad, would have been a fun film, book was great
Karen

I always pictured Sting as Lestat. Blond hair, build, arrogance. Everyone at the time thought Tom Cruise was totally wrong for Lestat (I still don't like that he did it) but many went on to like him. Why can't they just pick someone that is closest to Lestat's descriptions from the books? As to how they would redo the Chronicles, They should deal with the second book, the Vampire Lestat. There are so many rich, great, memorable scenes from that, from Lestat locked in a castle by his maker before being turned to Lestat and his mother (who I always pictured Catherine Deneuve (sp?) playing. What they did with TVL was embarrasing in Queen of the Damned, they changed who turned Lestat, where, when, totally cut out Armand and had someone play Armand that didn't look anything like the character description. They even cut out the first encounter with Armand and the cemeterie. Just once I wish someone would do a movie exactly how the book is done, just once.
Nizam from Malaysia

Robert Downey Jr is I think one of the best actor in the world, but I don't think he is suitable to play/act as Lestat de Lioncourt, not that he is not capable of bringing the character to life, I'm sure he can act as Lestat, its just that physically he can't be Lestat..one person that I think can be Lestat is TAYLOR KITSCH from Friday Night Lights and Wolverine Origin (Gambit)...
Esmeralda

EWWW Robert Downey Jr as Lestat?!answer: NO!If he plays him then the whole movie wil screw up. RBJ is a very bad choice for the role of Lestat!I have someone in mind who will portray him very greatly.His name is Jeremy Dufour he's a model. but look athttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjynuL3h2mw at 0 11 to 0 15 you'll see him.He's so SEXY and blonde he's french like Lestat and i think he would be a swell good choice for the role.Girls who love gay Twilight and are now having a crush on Edward Cullen would give him up and go for Lestat!Vampire Chronicles will kick Twlight ass!
Esmeralda

If the link doesn't work go on Youtube and type in Jean Paul Gaultier Le Male and see the video and his you see the light blonde shirtless dude in the commercial that would be Jeremy Dufour.He will be sexier then homo edward cullen
ted leski

I see Johnny Depp as Lestat. TO me he seems the most logical choice. Also would prefer a director such as David Fincher. The last two movies "Interview with the Vampire" and Queen, had some serious short comings, although the former was better than the later. Regardless they both still appeal to me on some level because I liked the stories. Who knows maybe Fincher could resurrect Pitt as Louie? -ted
ted leski

RDJ would be a better Memnoch...and this new script must include memnoch somewhere, Although Depp is 2-3 years older than RDJ He still appears to be much younger than RDJ onscreen (maybe off two)..probably something to do with diet and metabolism...or genetics? -ted
Curls

I'm a big fan of Interview with the Vampire and agree that remaking it would suck, but i think the reason for that is that although all the Vampire Chronicales know about Interview with the Vampire alot of new vampire vans dont. I do consider Interview with the Vampire a classic movie, but I woudn't mind a remake. I say this because there are dozens of classics out there that have been remade and all of wich I thought were great. Now RDJ as Lestat, could pull it off Lestat's character, but not so much his look i think. Also...the Vampire Chronicales would become a way better book movie franchise than Twighlight and Harry Potter combined! =)
JKSK

I agree Why not make a Vampire Hunter D movie! A true classic where Vampires are really Vampires. As for RDJ not really loving him as Lestat Bring back Tom Cruise or find a new fresh face that won't age too fast so you can shoot sequels. Having Loved Anne Rices's book's I hope they give a try to Memnoch and simply stick to the book. Should be really interesting!
Ash

I think Robbie's a bad choice for Lestat, he's a great actor dont get me wrong. But I believe there are others who can be better suited for the role. Yes it would have probably been great to see Tom Cruise carry on the role of Lestat but that didn't happen. What would be a true shame now is if they botch up another attempt at the chronicles right from the start. Pick some one with the write age please. Truth is how ever when push comes to shove I reckon that our opinions will make little or no difference but lets hope.
TED LESKI

oKAY i RETRACT MY PREVIOUS STATEMENT. i AM TOTALLY CONVINCED THAT DOWNEY JR. CAN PLAY LESTAT WONDERFULLY. HE CAN PULL IT OFF. WOW