2020 is shaping up to be a big year for adventure films, as in addition to Disney's
Jungle Cruise, we're also getting Universal's
Dolittle, which will see Robert Downey Jr. (
Avengers: Endgame) take on the mantle of one of literature’s most enduring characters, the man who could talk to animals: Doctor Dolittle.
With the official trailer set to debut sometime tomorrow, Universal Pictures has released the first teaser poster for the film, featuring Downey front-and-center alongside a number of his animal friends, including a parrot (Emma Thompson), a fox (Marion Cotillard), a polar bear (John Cena), a dog (Tom Holland), a gorilla (Rami Malek), an ostrich (Kumail Nanjiani), a giraffe (Selena Gomez), a duck (Octavia Spencer) and a mouse (Craig Robinson).
Robert Downey Jr. electrifies one of literature’s most enduring characters in a vivid reimagining of the classic tale of the man who could talk to animals: Dolittle.
After losing his wife seven years earlier, the eccentric Dr. John Dolittle (Downey), famed doctor and veterinarian of Queen Victoria’s England, hermits himself away behind the high walls of Dolittle Manor with only his menagerie of exotic animals for company. But when the young queen (Jessie Buckley, Wild Rose) falls gravely ill, a reluctant Dolittle is forced to set sail on an epic adventure to a mythical island in search of a cure, regaining his wit and courage as he crosses old adversaries and discovers wondrous creatures.
The doctor is joined on his quest by a young, self-appointed apprentice (Dunkirk’s Harry Collett) and a raucous coterie of animal friends, including an anxious gorilla (Oscar® winner Rami Malek), an enthusiastic but bird-brained duck (Oscar® winner Octavia Spencer), a bickering duo of a cynical ostrich (The Big Sick’s Kumail Nanjiani) and an upbeat polar bear (John Cena, Bumblebee) and a headstrong parrot (Oscar® winner Emma Thompson), who serves as Dolittle’s most trusted advisor and confidante.
The film also stars Antonio Banderas, Michael Sheen (The Queen) and Oscar® winner Jim Broadbent and features additional voice performances from Oscar® winner Marion Cotillard, Frances de la Tour, Carmen Ejogo, Ralph Fiennes, Selena Gomez, Tom Holland, and Craig Robinson.
Directed by Academy Award® winner Stephen Gaghan (Syriana, Traffic), Dolittle is produced by Joe Roth and Jeff Kirschenbaum under their Roth/Kirschenbaum Films (Alice in Wonderland, Maleficent) and Susan Downey (Sherlock Holmes franchise, The Judge) for Team Downey. The film is executive produced by Robert Downey Jr., Sarah Bradshaw (The Mummy, Maleficent) and Zachary Roth (Maleficent: Mistress of Evil).
Dolittle features:
Director: Stephen Gaghan
Robert Downey Jr. as Dr. John Dolittle
Harry Collett as Tommy Stubbins
Antonio Banderas as Rassouli
Michael Sheen as Mudfly
Jim Broadbent in an undisclosed role
Jessie Buckley as Queen Victoria
Ralph Ineson as Arnall Stubbins
Kasia Smutniak in an undisclosed role
John Cena as Yoshi, a polar bear
Marion Cotillard as Tutu, a fox
Carmen Ejogo as Regine, a lioness
Ralph Fiennes as Barry, a tiger
Selena Gomez as Betsy, a giraffe
Tom Holland as Jip, a dog
Rami Malek as Chee-Chee, a gorilla
Kumail Nanjiani as Plimpton, an ostrich
Craig Robinson as Fleming, a mouse
Octavia Spencer as Dab-Dab, a duck
Emma Thompson as Polynesia, a parrot
Frances de la Tour as Ginko-Who-Soars
Dolittle hits theaters January 17