Robert Downey Jr. naked and hand-cuffed to a bed. Just thought I’d put that out there. Downey. Buff. Naked. Bed. Chains. This is a scene from the Guy Ritchie-directed Sherlock Holmes, where he plays the famous detective with Jude Law as Dr. Watson. Having recently seen RocknRolla, I really appreciate Guy Ritchie’s devoted interest in tying his leading men to beds (Gerard Butler. Tied to a bed. It’s a good scene).

Downey was at the ShoWest Convention in Las Vegas to screen some scenes of Shelock Holmes to theatre owners. Apparently, they got a great reception. How could they not? But alas, Sherlock Holmes won’t be coming out until Christmas. Sob!

Oh. My. God. Robert Downey Jr. hosted a sneak peek of his upcoming Sherlock Holmes at the ShoWest convention yesterday, and … Well … Apparently, there’s a scene where he gets chained to a bed. Naked.

Theater owners attending their annual ShoWest convention got to see Downey’s Holmes in a bruising boxing match, diving from a tall building into London’s Thames River and trading barbs with roommate Dr. Watson (Jude Law), who complains about the detective’s slovenliness and nocturnal violin playing.

“Holmes, does your depravity know no bounds?” Watson asks the detective. In one scene, the unclothed Holmes finds himself cuffed by both hands to a bed. (From The Huffington Post)

It should be noted, Sherlock Holmes is set to open Christmas Day. So if you think I’m not going to spend the next eight months completely exhausting “All I want for Christmas is Robert Downey Jr. Chained to a Bed Naked” jokes, well, think again. Oh, please Santa! But I’ve been so good this year!

More at ShoWest: (Naked!!!!)

[From The Insider]

Downey was also there to give a preview of The Soloist, which will be released later this month. Originally, it was supposed to be a big Oscar contended for 2008’s awards season (meaning the awards season that just passed by). Jamie Foxx’s performance as a homeless, mentally ill cellist was being touted as his best career performance since Ray. I’m not sure why the film’s release got pushed back, but I think the film looks really, really good. Downey plays a reporter who befriends Foxx’s character and writes about him. USA Today has more about The Soloist, and GI Joe:

While the screening of the Robert Downey Jr./Jamie Foxx drama The Soloist got a warm reception from the ShoWest crowd Tuesday night, a surprise sneak peek of a summer film had theater owners more excited, reports USA TODAY’s Scott Bowles.

The first footage of G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra was unveiled and had attendees buzzing — particularly a scene in which the Eiffel Tower is demolished. After the screening, some were wondering whether the movie could be the next incarnation of Independence Day (which had its own jaw-dropping demolition of the White House). The film opens Aug. 7.

[From USA Today]

I couldn’t care less about G.I. Joe, but I am interested in how much Sienna Miller’s part was cut. Alas, I couldn’t find any more information about that other than the reports from several months ago, where producers were vocally concerned about her appearance in any film being box office poison.

Here’s Robert Downey Jr. and Guy Ritchie on the “Sherlock Holmes” set in January. Images thanks to Fame Pictures .

The GOOP has gotten to Robert Downey Jr! Noooo! In truth, it was the GOOP’s husband, Chris Martin that got to Robert. Chris Martin is some kind of Sherlock Holmes-obsessive, and had very specific ideas about what Sherlock Holmes should look like in the upcoming Guy Ritchie-directing Sherlock Holmes film. Downey is playing the famous detective, and after Gwyneth the GOOP introduced her husband to Downey, her Iron Man co-star, Martin shared his thoughts on Sherlock Holmes.

Martin told Downey that Sherlock Holmes is supposed to be very thin. This is true. My father is also a devotee of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and I read several Sherlock Holmes mysteries in my youth. Sherlock is not only very thin, he’s very tall, and throughout the books, Sherlock would smoke opium and snort cocaine. Let’s hope that Chris Martin didn’t bring up that stuff with recovering drug addict Downey. Downey might be a method actor; I would be worried.

The crux of the story is that Chris Martin told Robert Downey that he had to go on diet if he wanted to make a good Holmes. Downey had bulked up for Tropic Thunder, so he ended up going through a pretty rigorous diet to play the detective.

Robert Downey Jr. is dieting to please his friend Chris Martin.

The actor – who became friends with the Coldplay frontman after starring in ‘Iron Man’ with Chris’ wife Gwyneth Paltrow – has been shedding pounds in preparation for his title role in the upcoming movie ‘Sherlock Holmes’. He made the decision to slim down following pressure from Chris, who is a big fan of the Arthur Conan Doyle detective stories.

Robert said: “He’s a huge Sherlock Holmes fan. He said to me before we began, ‘You’ve got to be gaunt. You’ve got to be a skinny as you possibly can to play Holmes.’ So every time I’m reaching for a muffin I just think about Chris Martin and skip the snack. It’s been tough.”

Robert, 43, needed to slim down after bulking up for his role in action movie ‘Tropic Thunder’.

He said: “All I did was eat cheeseburgers and smoke Camels for three months. You’ve got to be in good shape to make it through that.”

“I do tons of weightlifting and martial arts anyway, so I stepped up my Wing Chun Kung Fu. I like staying in shape for a movie. Normally you pay for personal trainers, so it’s great when you can keep fit at someone else’s expense. I run a lot of miles and eat a lot of Wheaties cereal.”

[From My Park Mag]

I’ve heard Robert Downey talk about the martial arts stuff before – he’s really into it. I believe he started with it after the last intensive rehabilitation that seems to have stuck. All in all, he is kind of a weird choice for Sherlock Holmes. Downey’s a great actor and incredibly gifted, for sure, but he’s so American, and his sensibilities just seem so modern. Maybe it’s just me though. Back in the 1930s and ‘40s, the great English actor Basil Rathbone played Sherlock Holmes to great effect – he was tall, dapper, thin and snooty – totally believable.

Here’s Robert Downey Jr. on the last day of filming on the NY set of ‘Sherlock Holmes’ on February 4th. Images thanks to BauerGriffinOnline.

Guy Ritchie has been hard at work on his new Sherlock Holmes film, starring Robert Downey Jr and Jude Law. He was recently ordered to refilm 5 weeks of the movie due to the scenes being “unrealistic,” and now there’s even more interesting news about the movie – Sherlock (RDJ) and his sidekick Watson (Jude Law) may be gay.

Super sleuth Sherlock Holmes is to be portrayed in a gay way in Guy Ritchie’s new flick.

The fictional him-vestigator is seen sharing a bed with his dear, dear, Dr Watson and also enjoying some man-to-man wrestling with his close chum.

Speaking about the film, in which he plays Sherlock, Robert Downey Jr said: “We’re two men who happen to be room-mates, wrestle a lot and share a bed. It’s badass.”

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s legendary character is famous for donning his deerstalker hat, puffing on a pipe and solving mysteries with his trusted sidekick.

Jude Law. who plays Watson in the film, added: “Guy wanted to make this about the relationship between Watson and Holmes. They’re both mean and complicated.”

[From News of the World]

This is coming from News of the World, so you have to take the report with a grain of salt. But we’re also talking about Guy Ritchie here, who is known for taking things to unexpected levels. With Sean Penn winning the Best Actor award for his performance in Milk, and Brokeback Mountain winning best picture just a few years ago, there is a more mainstream place for homosexual relationships in movies.

I have to say, I love Robert Downey Jr.’s response to the allegations that his character is gay: that they’re “badass.” It seems to me that even if the characters do have a sexual relationship, Ritchie, Downey, and Law will make sure that it doesn’t come off as schtick. Most movies about Sherlock Holmes focus on Holmes’ internal demons, but rarely explore his relationships with other people on an intimate level. Whatever the movie turns out to be, it will prove to be something we haven’t seen before.

Here’s Guy Ritchie, Jude Law and Robert Downey Jr. filming on the “Sherlock Holmes” set in Kent, England on November 30th. Images thanks to WENN.

Newsweek recently interviewed the six actors they felt were some of the most talked about for Oscar-worthy performances this year: Brad Pitt, Robert Downey Jr., Anne Hathaway, Mickey Rourke, Sally Hawkins, and Frank Langella. Some interesting confessions (and a few lies) came out, like who Googles themselves, and the fact that Robert Downey Jr. is – in my nonprofessional assessment – probably crazy. Something about Japanese beef.

NEWSWEEK: With the Internet, it’s becoming harder for actors to draw the line between public and private. Do any of you guys ever Google yourself?
Pitt: Dear God. No.

Never?
Pitt: Never. First of all, I don’t really know how to operate a computer.

Do you have a BlackBerry?
Pitt: Oh yeah, I have a BlackBerry.

Anne, what about you. Do you Google yourself?
Hathaway: No.

Langella: It’s not a good idea. It can be painful and it can be self-aggrandizing.

Hawkins: What do they say about don’t believe any of it?

Downey: Oh, I love all that s—-, personally. Sorry. I love just it. Because it’s a hoot. Some people overstate their support, like they know you. Other people are busy doing something else and just want to go on this chat site and say some despicable character assassination, which I honestly think they kind of nailed it. I do have that shortcoming. It’s really fun.

Hathaway: OK, I have a confession. I lied before when you asked if I Googled myself. I do. I embarrassed by it because I know how terrible it is.

Downey: Wait a minute, should I feel s—-y that I Google myself?

Hathaway: You should feel s—-y about other things, Robert. For a while, it cracked me up. I found a ton of humor in it. But recently it’s changed. There’s a big difference now where information is being reported as news. And I’m very uncomfortable with that. And what you were saying, Brad—and God knows you deal with it worst than anyone—the idea that you blink your eyes and it’s all over the Internet? It’s a strange thing to be part of.

[From Newsweek]

I’m not surprised Brad Pitt doesn’t really know how to use a computer. He’s a busy guy who’s had no reason to learn much about them. I really loved Anne Hathaway’s bitchy, “You should feel shitty about other things, Robert.” What I thought was most interesting about Newsweek’s interview is that it looks like Robert Downey Jr. might be totally insane. A litter further on in this conversation, Brad Pitt says, “‘I feel for the people who are just getting into the business. It sets the wrong focus.’” Without any segue or explanation, Downey launches into the following:

Downey: I got a story for you. I go to Japan. “Iron Man” is opening there. I’m like, dude, this is my walk of fame. I go there and they go, [he mimics a Japanese accent] “Small problem with your passport, it links up to some incredible criminal activity.” I’m like yeah, yeah, yeah. “You did not make claim of said activity.” I was like, “I got tired.” “We would like to interrogate you.” I was like, “Interrogate? Fine, great.” Six hours later, I’m sitting there in the Japanese interrogation suite. A lady comes out, “So were you in jail or prison?” I go, “Both.” “How long?” “Sixteen months.” “Do you know the name of the first infraction you had in 1995?” I was like, “It’s hard for me to remember because I’ve been arrested so many times.” “We cannot let you enter our country.” They decided later that I can come in to do the press, “But I must please never come to Japan again.” So I’ll wrap this up quickly. We go to the Iron Chef restaurant. They give me the finest Kobe beef, and I am doubled over for yoo-hoo status for the next two days.

Langella: I don’t know what that means.

Downey: I ate a piece of beef that was super-expensive, I got a parasite, and I was yoo-hoo. I was Brown Betty for two days.

Langella: See, he has his own language.

Downey: Then what happens, a Japanese robot shows up on the red carpet. He carries in a 500-pound barrel of sake. I’m going like, I kind of have plans for Christmas, you should keep that away from me. They wanted me to smash the sake cast [sic] open with the robotic Iron Man.

[From Newsweek]

Um… alright, crazy pants. The randomness of his story makes me wonder what’s going on with Downey. Clearly he just wanted to share his story, whether or not it had anything to do with the subjects they were all talking about. He strikes me as someone who probably has a frenetic (and possibly exhausting) energy to him.

It was definitely one of Newsweek’s more memorable Oscar interviews. All of the actors seemed to have a real distaste for fame, but that’s nothing surprising. Anne Hathaway said she was genuinely shocked she became so famous, and subtly acknowledged that some of it was infamy (presumably due to her jailbird ex-boyfriend). No one seemed obviously put off by Robert Downey Jr., so maybe it just came off oddly in print but made more sense in real life. Or maybe he just had too much Kobe beef.

Here’s Anne Hathaway on the red carpet at the Creative Coalition event in Washington on Tuesday. She also brought her dad Gerald along. Images thanks to Splash.

Doesn’t it feel like Guy Ritchie, Jude Law and Robert Downey Jr. have been filming that Sherlock Holmes movie forever? It’s like the never-ending film production. The latest gossip out of the production is that Jude Law is too tall compared to Robert Downey Jr. (what?). So director Guy Ritchie made Downey put on some kind shoe-lifts. Downey is the one playing Sherlock Holmes, and Law is playing Dr. Watson. What’s weird is that even in his best, sexiest roles (The Talented Mr. Ripley), Jude Law looks like a stiff wind could knock him over, he’s so small. So how big is Downey?

Filmmaker Guy Ritchie has given Robert Downey Jr. a boost!

The director has asked Downey Jr., who plays the iconic detective in the movie Sherlock Holmes, to wear a pair of four-inch platforms in his shoes – in a bid to raise him up to co-star Jude Law’s level, reports British newspaper The Sun.

Ritchie has ruled that the actor must wear the lifts in every scene he shares with Law, who plays Holmes’ sidekick Dr Watson – so that the sleuths are the same height.

A source tells the tabloid, “Rob is stumbling around a lot and cursing Guy over the silly shoes.”

[From hollywood.com

I still don’t get it. If anything, the men are the same height. There’s no way Jude Law is taller, and I really feel bad for Downey if he‘s getting the reputation as a “small” actor. But the production is also wrecking havoc on Jude Law – as he was working out the other day (Dr. Watson is buff?), Law hurt his neck, and was forced to wear a neck brace for several days.

[From contactmusic.com]

Maybe he was straining his neck to check out the latest nanny? Or maybe he hurt it looking down on an American actor playing an iconic British character? That’s all I’ve got, those two jokes. But I still say Downey is bigger.

Here’s Jude and Robert on the Sherlock Holmes set in December and January. Images thanks to WENN.

Robert Downey Jr. is the cover boy for Men’s Vogue, Spring 2009. The issue will somehow be included or integrated into the April Vogue issue. Apparently, Conde Nast is trying something new because the launch of Men’s Vogue hasn’t been the success they were hoping for.

It’s a really beautiful picture of Downey – he looks good for his age and his history. People have started comparing him to George Clooney, but I’m not so sure. Clooney and Downey are very different men with very different appeals – but both can wear the hell out of a suit, so there’s that. Downey is nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Golden Globe for his role in Tropic Thunder, and his turn in the massively successful Iron Man has put him back on the A-list.

Robert Downey Jr. has never looked hotter than on the cover of the upcoming Men’s Vogue. The magazine has gone from publishing ten times a year to doing two seasonal editions. The next issue, Spring 2009, will appear on the back of regular Vogue magazine in its April 2009 issue.

For the first time, Vogue will couple the male mag by binding it to the back as a reverse-bound issue having two covers. If you flip Vogue over, you get Men’s Vogue.

The future of Men’s Vogue is still up in the air. Publisher Conde’ Nast indicates it is an experiment that may allow the male version to survive the chopping block and enjoy a second life.

Step aside George Clooney, you may have finally met your match.

[From Bitten and Bound]

In addition to Downey’s cover-boy status, Iron Man 2 already has some big casting news. Downey, of course, will return as Tony Stark. Gwyneth “GOOP” Paltrow, too, is returning. But who will play the next villain? As SamHill mentioned yesterday, some say Mickey Rourke, some say Sam Rockwell.

Mickey Rourke, who earned numerous awards and nominations for his work in “The Wrestler,” is in talks to play a villain in “Iron Man 2.”

Variety.com said Rourke is up for the role of the Russian arms dealer, the Crimson Dynamo, in “IM2.”

Director Jon Favreau reportedly plans to begin shooting the sequel to the 2008 Marvel Entertainment blockbuster this spring. Paramount Pictures, which will distribute the movie, has scheduled it for release in the summer of 2010.

Robert Downey Jr. plays the title character in the “Iron Man” franchise and Variety.com said Sam Rockwell is in talks to play his as-yet-undisclosed nemesis in the second installment. Rockwell can now be seen in “Frost/Nixon.”

[From United Press International]

I don’t have anything against Mickey Rourke, but I absolutely adore Sam Rockwell. Even though Rockwell’s a great actor, I wonder if he can pull off a comic-style villain. Rourke might be better, simply because he already seems a little cartoon-y.

Picture note by JayBird: Here’s Robert Downey Jr. on the set of “Sherlock Holmes” in Brooklyn on Thursday. Images thanks to Bauer-Griffin and Splash.

With his recent film The Wrestler appearing on lists of the top movies of 2008, >, it’s no surprise that Mickey Rourke’s next career move will be closely watched.  In addition to filming 13 and the Sylvester Stallone film The Expendables, Rourke is attempting to cash in on a blockbuster franchise by playing a villain in Iron Man 2.

Rourke is in discussions to play the Crimson Dynamo, a heavily tattooed Russian arms dealer. He’s considered to be an evil version of Iron Man because he battles the superhero in a nuclear-powered suit of armor.

Script is still being written by Justin Theroux, and Marvel has been trying to keep a wrap on details leaking out to fanboys.

[From Variety]

Although it seems to be clear that he will be playing a tattooed Russian bad guy, Variety and The Hollywood Reporter can’t agree on the name of his character.  THR reports:

Rourke would play a tattooed Russian heavy named Ivan who becomes Whiplash, a man with deadly, technologically enhanced coils.

[from THR]

Whatever his character’s name, Iron Man seems like a good choice for Rourke.  The Wrestler, a gritty film, was done by Darren Aronofsky (Requiem for a Dream, The Fountain, Pi), and proved that he has the chops to take on heavy roles.  If he does well as Whiplash/ Crimson Dynamo, he’ll also prove that he has star power.  Although the Iron Man franchise is not as dark and therefore not as demanding as, say, The Dark Knight, the first film held together well with wise casting choices.  Rourke will have a lot to live up to.  Robert Downey, Jr. is of course returning as Tony Stark, Gwenyth Paltrow will continue as Pepper Potts, and Don Cheadle is replacing Terrence Howard as Rhodey.

I’m not so sure, however, about the Stallone film The Expendables.  The movie also stars Jason Satham, Stallone, Jet Li, and Forest Whitaker, and sounds like exactly the kind of B movie Rourke’s agent will be turning down after Iron Man.

Mickey Rourke is shown at the Critics Choice Awards on 1/8/08. Credit: WENN

Madonna, in addition to having thighs that can crack walnuts, seems to have the power of evil. Guy Ritchie’s latest film Sherlock Holmes is having a string of problems, the latest being an injury to Robert Downey Jr.

The Iron Man actor, 43, was knocked unconscious by 25-stone co-star Robert Maillet during a fight scene.

Downey Jr — who plays the famous detective — was “out cold” for six seconds and “drooling blood” before medics could bring him round.

A nurse on set at Chatham dockyard in Kent gave him six stitches in his mouth.

A source said: “Robert was accidentally caught on the chin by a thundering hook. He went flying and was out cold.

“He didn’t want to go to hospital and kept trying to get up. He’s a trooper. But there have been lots of other problems too.”

The Sun

In addition to Robert’s unfortunately injury, a petrol tanker exploded yesterday on the set.

The Sun is trying to suggest that Sherlock is cursed, citing the two incidents and the fact that Guy Ritchie is getting divorced during filming. With no serious injuries, filming only delayed for two hours by the fire, and getting Madonna out of the picture, I can only imagine that Guy is feeling luckier than he has in about eight years.

Robert Downey Jr might be feeling less fortunate though, he was the one who got the stitches.

Robert Downey Jr. and his wife, Susan, who is a producer on Sherlock Holmes, are shown leaving the production office for the film in London on 11/24/08. Credit: Bauergriffin

Robert Downey Jr has plans to help Ben Stiller win an Oscar. Not only are they going to work together again, but they’re going to continue on the long road down bad taste, following Tropic Thunder, and make a movie about conjoined twins.

He told BANG Showbiz: “There is a story about some famous conjoined twins – I don’t remember their names but that’s irrelevant anyway – and I’m going to direct Ben in that film. Ben will play both twins. It’s going to be kind of like ‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button’, except with two buttons.

“He got me to score in the comedy department and I am determined to help him win two Oscars for playing the same part. And we will get picketed by the Siamese twins organisation, which will draw more attention to the cause.”

Robert is also planning to give himself an unusual starring role in the film.

He quipped: “I am also going to make a cameo as a Siamese cat. I want Ben to win one Oscar for a dramatic role and another for his role in a musical or comedy because one of the conjoined twins likes to tap out the words and dance a little bit!”

M & C

I’m pretty sure Downey is joking about this, particularly since Matt Damon has already made a film about conjoined twins, one that he probably wishes he could bury in the vaults of Hollywood. If not, I think the twins he is talking about is Chang and Eng Bunker, who were born in Siam and traveled around in a circus/freak show, and that is where the term ‘Siamese Twins’ actually comes from. It’s not at all related to the cats, so if Downey’s reading this he might just have learnt something new.

Actually, checking out this Wiki article about the twins, this film could be a smorgasbord of politically incorrect humor – the twins, following the end of their contract, went on to build a plantation and hire slaves, where they married another set of twins. They had 21 children between them.

Ben Stiller and Robert Downey, Jr. are shown at a photocall for Tropic Thunder at the San Sebastian Film Festival on 9/21/08. Credit: WENN

Terrence Howard is kicking himself so hard right now. By allegedly demanding more money to reprise his role as Jim Rhodes in Iron Man 2, he threw away not just a sequel, but a franchise. Don Cheadle, the actor chosen to replace Howard as Rhodes, and Robert Downey Jr. have been the first of a large superhero cast to sign on for Avengers. Jon Favreau, of course, will be back, too.

The men in (and behind) “Iron Man” will be sticking together for more than just the anticipated sequel. Marvel Studios has officially announced that Robert Downey Jr., Don Cheadle and Jon Favreau will be teaming up for not only “Iron Man 2,” but also the company’s much-anticipated superhero battle royale “The Avengers.”

Downey will reprise his role as Tony Stark in “Iron Man 2″ and again in “The Avengers,” while Cheadle will pick up the part of James “Rhodey” Rhodes previously played by Terrence Howard in “Iron Man.” The latter announcement confirms earlier reports regarding Cheadle’s replacement of Howard, with the additional note that Cheadle will play the character in both “The Avengers” and subsequent “Iron Man” films.

Marvel also confirmed that Favreau will not only return to the director’s chair for “Iron Man 2,” but will also serve as executive producer for “The Avengers.”

[From MTV Movie News]

No one is giving out any clues into what’s going on in the movies leading up to Avengers. Favreau has hinted at Samuel L. Jackson returning in Iron Man 2 and a 2010 opening for Iron Man 2 and Thor, leading up to the 2011 release date for Captain American and Avengers. Edward Norton was The Incredible Hulk, but things didn’t end well between Norton and the studio. There has been no word on whether he would come back for Avengers, or if the Hulk will actually be hero or villain.

There’s been some disagreement on the choice of Don Cheadle for the role of Jim Rhodes, who will become War Machine, because he’s always been a more understated, less superhero type actor. But I propose that maybe that’s because he’s not been put in such a role before. I look forward to seeing what Cheadle can do with the character. And if he fails, we’ve seen how easily replaceable the part can be.

Here is Robert Downey, Jr. jumping from a window on the set of Sherlock Holmes on 10/29/08. Credit: Bauergriffinonline. Don Cheadle is shown with his girlfriend, Bridgid Coulter, and their daughters Ayana Tai Cheadle and Imani Cheadle in Hawaii on 8/9/08. Credit: Fame