Jon Favreau’s “Cowboys & Aliens” might be shooting later this year, in July according to the DailyBeast, but regardless of the start date, production will have to begin without its star Robert Downey Jr. who is now off the project.
According to the L.A. Times, scheduling issues got in the way. But what conflict is that? RDJ’s schedule is essentially open, he’s talked in recent months how he wants to to slow down and possibly raise a family and aside from “Due Date” which has already shot, he has no major projects on the horizon. The L.A. Times says this fact could ignite rumors that the sequel to “Sherlock Holmes” is being fast-tracked and that could make sense. Guy Ritchie’s detective film was a) a lot better than anyone expected, b) probably a lot of fun for RDJ and Jude Law if the charming riffing on screen was any indication and c) it’s grossed almost $300 million worldwide so far. Not too shabby (though surely WB would like to see the $165 mil domestic mark rise past $200 million, we’re sure).
“Cowboys & Aliens” is eyeing a summer 2011 release date, but we wouldn’t be surprised if Favreau starts to lose interest without his “Iron Man” leading star. Nevertheless, the Times says the production is now on the hunt for a new star. ‘Cowboys’ was written by Mark Fergus and Hawk Ostby who ironically wrote the original draft of “Iron Man.”
UPDATE: EW confirms that Downey Jr.’s scheduling conflict is in fact the “Sherlock Holmes” sequel which is now having a Kieran and Michele Mulroney script fast-tracked for a June start, around the same time “Cowboys & Aliens” is being scheduled to begin principal photography, possibly for a summer 2011 release? No word yet on whether Favreau is sticking around, but again, we wouldn’t be entirely be surprised if he bails. That is unless he can convince a star he wants to really work with to come aboard.