Bloody-Disgusting is reporting that the ever-charming Iron Man himself, Robert Downey Jr., is in “close talks” to play the vampire Lestat in a “restart” of The Vampire Chronicles, a series of novels by author Anne Rice first written in the ’70s. It (mostly) tells the tale of a French nobleman, Lestat de Lioncourt, who gets turned into a vampire in the 18th century.
[UPDATE: Author Anne Rice has given her thoughts on the possibility of Robert Downey Jr. playing Lestat. Also, it's been revealed which novel the first film will be based on. Bottom of the post for details]
Universal Pictures is reportedly behind the new reboot style film franchise of Rice’s novels. The character of Lestat has appeared twice in adaptations of the popular novels: in 1994 with Interview with the Vampire (also the first novel in the series), portrayed by Tom Cruise, and again in 2002 with Queen of the Damned, this time played by Stuart Townsend. There’s no news on which book from the series this new “franchise” would be based on – will it start with Interview and, if successful, work its way in series order? Here’s the list of the books (from Wikipedia):
- Interview with the Vampire (1976)
- The Vampire Lestat (1985)
- The Queen of the Damned (1988)
- The Tale of the Body Thief (1992)
- Memnoch the Devil (1995)
- The Vampire Armand (1998)
- Merrick (2000)
- Blood and Gold (2001)
- Blackwood Farm (2002)
- Blood Canticle (2003)
There’s little surprise that a studio would turn their interest towards another popular vampire series of books with the recent and ongoing success of Twilight. As with Twilight, The Vampire Chronicles has a fanbase to fall back on, albeit not of rabid teenage girls who’ll buy everything with the franchise name on it. And it also has the current popularity of “hot vampires” to play off of. The potential casting of Downey Jr. doesn’t exactly hurt the studio either – in case you hadn’t noticed he’s both a talented and a very popular actor at the moment (the latter, I don’t think, could have been said 10 years ago).
I wouldn’t have thought of it without having heard this possible casting (very reminiscent of when he was announced as playing Iron Man), but I think Downey Jr. would play a great vampire. Especially one like the character of Lestat, who requires someone charismatic and a particular and precise manner of speaking – Downey Jr. fits that perfectly, I think you’ll agree.
UPDATE: Bloody-Disgusting has found out that the first film in the “reboot” will be based on the second film in the Chronicles, The Vampire Lestat (looks like I was spot on with my header 
).
Also, The Vampire Chronicles author Anne Rice has given her thoughts on Downey Jr. portraying her vampire character, Lestat. And it appears she agrees with me that he would be a great fit for the role. Here’s what she had to say:
“I’m delighted to comment. First off, I cannot confirm or deny the rumor. I have not received official word as to the truth of it yet.”
“But I can say without hesitation that I love Robert Downey Jr. and I think he would make a fabulous Vampire Lestat. He is a major actor, a powerhouse of talent and personality, and he evinces an irrepressible and seductive charm. He would bring great energy and skill to the role. I would love to see this happen. I’ve loved Robert Downey Jr. ever since I saw him in Restoration years ago, and I thought he was magical and powerful in Iron Man. — So I hope the rumors are true. – I’ve posted on my Facebook “fan” page saying pretty much the same thing.”
The author also commented on people’s (including commenters on Screen Rant) dislike for someone as old as Downey Jr. playing Lestat. She talks much sense:
“Some are saying he is too old to play the part… This is absolutely not true. He is quite youthful. Besides, Lestat is a man when he is made into a vampire. A twenty year old man in the 18th century is the equivalent of an older man today. Age just shouldn’t be an issue here, not with an actor of this scope and charisma. – I’m thrilled at the prospect that this rumor might be true.”
Screen Rant will keep you up-to-date on whether or not Downey Jr. is cast in the role of Lestat. For now, what do you think of this news? Are you up for another adaptation of The Vampire Chronicles?
Source: Bloody-Digusting and Wikipedia
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If RDJ is in it, it is gold no matter what. Well as long as the vampires don’t glow.
They will have the Glow just Like Bruce Lee Roy in The Last Dragon.
This will be one RDJ film I skip.
Don’t care about vampires…
I love robert downey but not for this role, lestat is supposed to have been turned into a vampire in his twenties and I just dont think that robert looks that age and lestat is blond and I dont think that would look right on robert either. I would rather have an unknown that looks like the character then have a star play the character like in constantine a british blonde haired blue eyed guy is played by keanu reeves and they didnt even die his hair lol it was horrible make downey marius
I have to agree with 790. I like vampire films, but they have been getting as old as zombie films lately.
Alex O’Loughlin should play the role of Lestat. He played a vampire in Moonlight. He has charisma. He is a brilliant actor, smoldering with sensuality and good looks. He has a deep, masculine voice with a strong muscular physique. Beyond that, Alex is smart, compassionate, and cerebral. He’s 33 years old. He was once considered for the role of James Bond 007.
I don’t know, it’ll be weird seeing Lestat played by Robert Downey Jr., but I’m open to see my miond changed. I think he’s a fabulous actor, so why not, eh?
@Matt Keith
What? Zombie films don’t get old… psshhhhh
lol
I dont know much about the series or the character, but based upon what i have heard from other commentors what do you think about Alexander Skarsgård as the character?
@ Ken J
You do know Romero is putting out Survival of the Dead soon……
Have to confess, I just can’t see Robert Downey Jr in this part. Of course, that’s what everybody said about Tom Cruise, including myself, and he certainly nailed the character in “Interview with the Vampire.”
I don’t see the point in remaking “Interview.” Reboot? Why? The first film was excellent… Hell, it was one of the best vampire films ever made. “Queen of the Damned” was a dreadful mess, but then again, that book stinks. If they’re going to revisit Lestat, then it’s time to do his story the way it was written and not the way it was butchered in “QotD.” They need to adapt “The Vampire Lestat” to film. It needn’t be a reboot. All they’d really be doing is digging into the history of the characters in “Interview” and some of what becomes of them after Interview ends. That would be a great film. The origin for Lestat in “QotD” wimped out on what the source material had to offer.
I’ve read all the vampire books and all the Mayfair Witches books. The Witches books have never been made into a movie and they’d be terrific.
When they announced a long time ago that they were making Interview With the Vampire with Tom Cruise I just couldn’t believe it. Sort of like when I saw the first picture of Broadway dancing/singing star Hugh Jackman as Wolverine. He didn’t seem all that manly [in the picture that I saw]. Wolvie is my favorite character but he’s about 5’6, never polished and had a foul mouth. Not to mention that Wolverine was in his 50′s.
Anyhow, turned out I was wrong about Tom Cruise and Hugh Jackman. Tom Cruise really knew Lestat whether or not he read the books, I don’t know but he nailed him in the movie. And Brad Pitt was a perfect Louis.
I agree with samm, RDJ is too old for this role. And if they want to start a franchise with this character, picking someone to play an undead creature who never ages having a 40 something actor playing it is just wrong.
They need a much younger actor to carry that off and to be able to stay in the roll for a long time. It’s not The Vampire James Bond after all. Some continuity would be nice.
Just because RDJ is hot right now doesn’t make him suited to every role. I think that this would be a painful movie to watch. Don’t get me wrong, I think RDJ is a fantastic actor. Love him to pieces but not as Lestat. I don’t like that fellow from Moonlight as Lestat either.
I think that Alexander Skarsgård would be a good fit. I think that Kyle Schmid (Blood Ties) would be better though. He’s got youth and the presence to carry off that role for many years. Lestat’s foppish, and doesn’t have the appearance of great strength. That’s part of how he lures people to him. By the time they realize he’s actually strong, they’re toast. Plus KS is only in his mid 20′s. He could stay with that character a long time with no effort. RDJ? Great actor but not for Lestat unless he can act 15 years younger without CGI assistance. It’s just ridiculous.
The Vampire Lestat was a decent read. A misty and simple beginning of the character, but it accompanied an over complicated series of books. I think “The Hunger” comes to mind for inspiration. David Bowie’s aging scenes in the waiting room were beautiful. I think that dirty 70′s sweaty film would be a nice touch to an Anne Rice adaptation.
I love the character Lestat. I mean really love him. AR did such a good job writing him, I would love to see a decent adaptation of the Lestat books to be honest. Far and away the best serial character IMO.
RDJ playing him though? Not too sure about that. As everyone said, Lestat is way too young for him, although the character stereotyping would be just about perfect. I’m torn really.
I’d definately see it either way however.
I’m kinda sick of vampire movies. But if done right… the way vamps are supposed to be on film then sure, I’ll watch it. As long as Robert Downey Jr doesn’t “sparkle”
@Bill Blume,
That’s a good thought that I kind of agree with. They don’t need to “reboot” anything, and besides there isn’t really a “franchise” there per se, is there? With them using that word that says they’re looking to make more than a couple of movies. Why not just adapt the other books, instead of doing Interview with the Vampire again? Maybe call the films “The Vampire Chronicles: Part 1″, then Part 2, etc etc.
As for Downey Jr, I see what some of you are saying about him being too old. I understand the character of Lestat was younger than RDJ is when he gets turned into a vampire? Maybe (and this may infuriate purists) just change the age he gets turned into one at.
Age aside, though, RDJ ticks all the other boxes for me.
I think technically he might be too old , but it might be an intruiging part for him.
I don’t want Lestat aged. Part of the creepiness is that he looks so young and can lull people in by his looks. I don’t think that RDJ can carry off “coy” anymore. Lestat is a younger man’s character. Looking young forever is part of the story.
I’m sick of all the vampire stuff too. Mostly because the books that I like either aren’t getting made or fail. True Blood being an exception. Anne Rice almost redefined the vampire genre. Her characters are unique, forget about being a vampire.
I would love to see another movie based on her books but if they’re going to miscast it, as much as I love RDJ, I don’t know if I could watch it. If you haven’t read the books though I doubt you’ll care. I loved Watchmen but I hadn’t read the graphic novel. My husband and son had and they were very unhappy with the ending. So long as no one reads the book, I guess they can do whatever they want.
Oh, and Anne Rice wrote the script for Interview and it shows. They may never make anything. We’ll have to wait and see.
I agree that RDJ is too old for this particular character. I can easily see him as a vampire, just not Lestat. Also, I don’t understand why so many people are sick of vampire movies when there really aren’t any more of them coming out now than there ever was. I watched Buffy and Angel for years, and many vampire movies came out during that time (Blade, Queen of the Damned, Dracula 2000, Van Helsing, etc). Vampires have been prominent on the pop culture landscape for a long time. Twilight is getting such a ridiculous amount of attention that it’s making people sick of vampires in general. Since that movie is utter crap I won’t let it affect my interest in the entire vampire genre.
Okay, seriously. Why are you guys complaining about having an older, talented actor playing the character? To me this seems like a much better idea than casting some 20-year old prettyboy Twilighter.
“Ross Miller says: just change the age he gets turned into one at”
If you read the Anne Rice books you will realize that Lestat’s age is one of the things that makes him stand out as a vampire. His youthful look, and his sometimes boyish way of reacting to things is part of his charm, and part of why he gets into trouble.
I do agree with you about doing the Vampire Chronicles thing however. I think the original Interview was awesome, and cannot see a reason to remake it. Let’s move on in the storyline. I would not mind seeing QotD remade though. That was just bad bad bad.
I love RDJ.. I always have. I just have to agree with samm and prtfvr that he is wrong for this part due to the age factor. Sure I think he would be able to play the attitude and all wonderfully… but youth really is a big part of the Lestat mystique.
I would like to suggest Philip Winchester as Lestat. He is tall, gorgeous, blonde, and still young enough to pull it all off.
Just my two cents worth. =]
I say pfft to the whole thing if they aren’t gonna have THE GLOW.
A real actor like Mr. Downey playing the part of Lestat?…….OK, I am there.
Alexander Skarsgard and Kyle Schmid both have the right look for Lestat (and I would certainly love to see more of Alex), or Jamie Campbell Bower could be fantastic (age, looks, acting and music abilities!) but I think it might be a little tacky to have someone who has already played a vampire (typecasting much?).
So my (albeit perhaps slightly unusual) choice would be Tom Felton. He has, after all, shown now that he can actually act, he is the right age and I’m sure he could be persuaded to keep the blonde hair a little longer. Anyone else agree/disagree with me?
The only other person I picture is Ed Westwick, but I’ve never seen him act so I’m going on looks and the fact that he is the right age.
I agree that Tom Felton would be fantastic in the Vampire Chronicles, but not as Lestat. I think that RDJ is a brilliant choice for Lestat as the Brat Prince’s charm isn’t just in what he says, it’s in what he does, how he moves, his body language, all of which Downey Jnr can pull off with ease.
I think Tom Felton would make a fantastic David Talbot post TOTBT and that Ben Barnes would make a brilliant Quinn Blackwood. What does anybody else think on this score?
@Kylie
I understand what you mean about type-casting but sometimes someone is just a good fit. Plus, for KS at least, Blood Ties came and went so fast that he could get away with it. Lifetime put a stake in that show even before the last few episodes. I don’t know about AS since True Blood is so popular. He might be able to do it but you’d be thinking True Blood the whole time.
I think RDJ could be a vampire, he can play anything he wants with the exception of someone who looks like they’re under 25. He could play Armand if they have to remake Interview With the Vampire – although I hope they don’t. Or he could be the vampire/creature from the Mayfair Witches books. Just don’t mess with Lestat.
Armand was supposed to be younger than Lestat.
personally i was under the impression the studios wouldnt touch the movies again if there talking about a reboot of something like Interview with a vampire which is a cult classic but if its another stpry all together then yea im all on board
I should probably re-read the books. Louis and Lestat had a hold on my attention. Armand was a peripheral character to me. I don’t care if they change his age but don’t change the main two.
I wonder why people are so adamant nowadays to give movie roles to sweet looking but completly uncharismatic tv actors. RDJ may not look like Lestat but at least he has the charisma and the charme to play him. If it were only about the looks of the actors, Queen of the Damned would have been a great movie. And we all know how this turned out.