The actor Robert Downey Jr. is producing with Paramount the new version of one of Hollywood’s most classic films, Vertigoby director Alfred Hitchcock. While it hasn’t been confirmed yet, Downey Jr. could also star.
According to the specialized magazine ExpirationParamount Pictures is developing the adaptation of the psychological thriller which tells the story of a retired detective with a fear of heights who is tasked with investigating a woman who appears to be possessed by a spirit.
Steven Knight, creator of the series Peaky Blinderswill be in charge of writing the screenplay for the project which Downey co-produces with his wife, Susan Downey, and his studio Team Downey, as well as production company Davis Entertainment.
Downey is enthusiastic about the project and perhaps he himself will step into the shoes of the detective who, in the 1958 version, was played by the American actor James Stewart, winner of two Oscars.
Hitchcock’s original
Hitchcock’s Story premiered at the San Sebastian International Film Festival and although it was little appreciated at the time, over the years it has become an iconic film in the career of the British director dubbed the ‘master of suspense’.
In Vertigo, private detective John “Scottie” Ferguson suffers an accident that forces him to retire earlier than expected. But that incident also leaves another sequel: acrophobia and vertigo. However, Ferguson is hired by a friend with a mission to keep an eye on his wife Madeleine, who is behaving erratically and strangely.
The character of Madeleine was played by actress Kim Novak, who celebrated his 90th birthday last month and was one of the hottest rising stars of the moment. The film is about obsession, psychological and physical paralysis and the fragility of love.
Shot partly in the city of San Francisco, the film was the first to use “travel”, an in-camera effect that distorts perspective and was used to create disorientation and convey the character’s sense of acrophobia to viewers. Over time, this resource was called the “vertigo effect”.
The film is one of the cornerstones of the British director’s filmography, which helped consolidate Hitchcock’s style, also becoming a cult film.
Downey Jr.’s career
For his part, Downey Jr. is known for bringing to life the selfish Marvel superhero, Hombre de Hierrocharacter with which part of the blockbuster Avengers: Finaleone of the biggest box office hits in history, having topped $2.799 million at the global box office since its premiere in 2019.
Since then the actor has only been seen in film dolittlein which he co-starred shortly after with Antonio Banderas and Michael Sheen.
Other outstanding roles in your career are the iconic detective Sherlock Holmes of films about the famous detective, directed by Guy Ritchie, as well as his portrayal of Charlie Chaplin in the 1992 film of the same name.
In the last stage of his career, he turned more to his role as a producer by participating in film and television projects such as the series gluttonous OR Perry Massoneor the movie Mr., dedicated to his father, in which he also acts.
Source: Clarin
