With one film franchise going strong and a second one just gathering steam, Robert Downey Jr. doesn’t have any more room in his work schedule for a potential third. The LA Times has reported that Downey has dropped out ofthe upcoming comic book adaptation Cowboys & Aliens, which is due to be directed by his Iron Man collaborator Jon Favreau.
With his schedule dominated by potential further sequels to Iron Man, Iron Man 2 and Sherlock Holmes, the Times reportage hints that the actor wants to leave some space to do smaller, non-blockbuster films. Hopefully, these will be more successful in the vein of Tropic Thunder as opposed to The Soloist.
Dreamworks is reportedly looking at moving forward with the film, with Favreau still in the director’s chair. They just now need to find a new charismatic actor to play the leader of a revolt of cowboys and Indians against some aliens who have landed in the Old West with plans on enslaving the local populace. The studio still hopes to get the film before cameras sometime this year.
