Releases and Upcoming projects
Yucatan
Robert is to play a renegade deep-sea salvage expert hired to steal a hidden treasure hidden deep underwater in the Mayan ruins of Yucatan. The movie is based on an original story by Steve McQueen. Robert's and Susan's production company, Team Downey" is producing it. Anthony Peckham ("Sherlock Holmes") writes the screenplay.

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Possible projects – Rumors – Offers
Peabody and Sherman
In early 2011 Robert was set to voice the new 3D version of "Peabody and Sherman" for DreamWorks but was unable to commit. Robert and Susan were also, among others, to serve as executive producers. The role eventually went to Ty Burrell.

Elton John biopic
In February 2011 Elton John expressed in an interview that he wanted Robert to play him in a biopic. Quote: "My biopic would actually need two or three actors who vary in weight I think. I would love Robert Downey Jr. to play me at a certain stage, he would be fantastic."

Emergency!: This Book Will Save Your Life
In October 2010, LA Times reported that Robert might be starring in a Team Downey produced film adaptation of Neil Strauss' bestseller book. The story is about one man's journey on how to stay alive and protect his loved ones by learning to survive in the wild.

Gravity
Robert was in talks to star in a smaller role as the leader of a team posted at a remote space station in a 3D Warner Bros. space film directed by Alfonso Cuaron. Sandra Bullock was in negotiations for the female lead. In November 2010, The Hollywood Reporter wrote that Robert was no longer attached to this project.

Oz The Great and Powerful
In 2010 a rumor that Robert would star in Disney’s "Wizard of Oz" prequel was circulating throughout the web. When asked, Robert neither denied or confirmed it. In January 2011 it was reported that Robert had declined and that the studio had turned to Johnny Depp instead.

Harvey
In September 2009 it was reported that Steven Spielberg was planning a remake of "Harvey" with Robert possibly playing the lead. In December 2009, Variety announced that Spielberg withdrew from the project due to disagreements between him and Robert on the script (this reason was not confirmed by Spielberg himself). Fox 2000 will apparently continue to work on "Harvey" and might re-approach Spielberg and Robert.

The Vampire Chronicles
In August 2009 it was reported that Robert was in close talks to play the vampire Lestat - previously portrayed by Tom Cruise - in a newly rebooted franchise based on Anne Rice's popular novels. This rumor was totally false, according to Robert's reps.

Oobermind
Ben Stiller confirmed in November 2008 that Robert would voice the character of the supervillain in this animation from Red Hour Films. In August 2009 it was announced that Will Ferrell got the part.

Cowboys & Aliens
In June 2008 it's reported that Robert was in negotiations to star in DreamWorks "Cowboys & Aliens," based on a graphic novel by Fred Van Lente and Andrew Foley, directed by Jon Favreau. The story centers on an Old West battle between the Apache and Western settlers, including a former Union Army gunslinger named Zeke Jackson (Robert), that is interrupted by a spaceship crashing into the prairie. In January 2010 news said that Robert would not star in the film.

Travis McGee, Dog Years
It's reported that many new projects are offered Robert after his huge success with "Iron Man", among them "Travis McGee" (based on John D. MacDonald's detective series), and Gary Ross' fantasy/comedy "Dog Years". (*Not confirmed.)

Playboy
In May 2008 it's reported that Hugh Hefner wants Robert to play him in a big-screen biopic directed by Brett Ratner. Robert's representative said he's interested but is unlikely to commit until a script is done and a director is named. In May 2011 Hefner confirmed that Robert would not be playing him.

Peter Sellers in West End
Metro.co.uk reported in June 2007 that Robert was lined up to play Peter Sellers in a West End production about the final days of the comedian's life. A West End source said: "With all his many voices and characters, Sellers is inevitably a very difficult person to play convincingly, but Downey Jr. has the versatility that makes him up to the task." (*Not confirmed.)

The Sangraal
In July 2005, Michelle Nickelson at Nickelson Entertainment Group announced that Robert was to have the lead in the archaeological thriller "The Sangraal", co-starring Roger Moore, John Rhys Davis and Joachim de Almeida. The film was described as a cross between the The "X Files", "Indiana Jones" and Nicholas Cage's "National Treasure" with a budget of more than $50 million. Downey was to play an archaeologist named Stone, who unwittingly ends up solving one of the world's greatest mysteries. Moore would star as Murdoch Macarthur, the head of an ancient organisation. The filming would take place in Abu Dhabi and Budapest in December/January 2006. (*Not confirmed, plus Roger Moore's official site stated that it was untrue.)

Poe
In 2003, Sylvester Stallone revealed that he had written a movie script about Edgar Allan Poe with Robert in mind as leading man. In late 2005, Robert said that he had met with Stallone to discuss the project but nothing had been decided. In late 2007 reports said that Stallone had offered the part to Viggo Mortensen. In August 2010 Stallone expressed again that he wanted Robert; "It has to be like Downey, I designed it for Downey. Perhaps I could re-work the script. Maybe Johnny Depp. It needs a very special actor like that."

Confessions of a Dangerous Mind
In an interview about "Good Night, And Good Luck" in 2005, Robert said that he had been in talks with George Clooney for a part in "Confessions Of A Dangerous Mind", a Clooney directed film from 2002. An earlier article reveals that it was regarding the lead character, Chuck Barris, which later went to actor Sam Rockwell.

What Love Is and What's It All About
In January 2005, Val Kilmer said that Robert would be starring with him on a small L.A. production. Quote: "It's four scripts in a row put together in one comedy called "What Love Is and What's It All About". Colin Farrell, Robert Downey Jr. and I will be in it." In June 2005, Val's official website reports that Val is no longer attached to produce or star in this film.

10 Again
Robert was reportedly offered the lead role in "10 Again" (a re-make of Blake Edwards "10", starring Bo Derek and Dudley Moore). In early 2005, Dark Horizon.com wrote that Robert had passed on the role and that Ricky Gervais might sign on. (*Not confirmed.)

Last Holiday
French news sources announced in November 2004 that Robert would star in a remake of the 1950 film "Last Holiday" together with Gerard Depardieu and Queen Latifah. Later, Timothy Hutton signed on for a part that might have been the one Robert was rumored to play. (*Not confirmed.)

Basic Instinct 2
In late 2000, Robert (among many other actors), was considered for the male lead (played by Michael Douglas in "Basic Instinct" 1) opposite Sharon Stone. The filming was delayed due to a legal battle and casting wasn't settled until late 2004. The part went to English actor David Morrisey.

Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy
According to an 'expert' on the topic, Robert was considered for, but not offered, the role of Zaphod Beeblebrox in "The Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy" in February 2004. (*Not confirmed.)

Peter Bogdanovich
According to an interview with director Peter Bogdanovich in September 2003, Robert was in talks to star in his film, playing a nerd who was obsessed with Frank Sinatra.
Melinda and Melinda
Robert was to star opposite Winona Ryder in a Woody Allen film, scheduled to shoot in the fall 2003. Winona decided on another movie role, and the negotiations with Robert fell through in the last minute.

Helter Skelter
In 2003, IMDb reports that Robert was producer Mark Wolper's first choices to play Charles Manson in a new adaptation on Vincent Bugliosi book Helter Skelter. "My first choice was Robert Downey, Jr. Unfortunately, he's not available, he's doing a Woody Allen film." (*Not confirmed.)

Positively Fifth Street
In 2003, Las Vegas Sun writes that Jim McManus sold the film rights to his best-selling "Positively Fifth Street", and plans were to have Robert play McManus - the poet and magazine writer who came to Las Vegas to cover Binion's World Series of Poker and ended up a champion competitive poker player in his own right. (*Not confirmed.)

Man On Fire
According to production's publicist, Luis Reyes, Robert had to turn down the offer to star opposite Denzel Washington in "Man on Fire" due to scheduling conflicts.

All For Nothing
New York Post writes in 2003, that producers were in talks with Robert to have him join the cast of this big-screen movie, based on '70s jewel thief Walter Shaw's life as one of the "Dinnertime Bandits" who robbed wealthy people in Florida in the '70s. (*Not confirmed.)

Ramones
New York Daily New reports in 2003 that Robert was offered to play band manager Danny Fields. The film would center on the lives of the members of the punk-rock band, Ramones. (*Not confirmed.)

Mad Max 4
Director George Miller says in an interview with First Magazine that Mel Gibson has an idea to put Robert in a role in the next "Mad Max" film.

Harvard Man
Director/writer James Toback said he wanted Robert to star in this film. Unknown which part.

Adolf Hitler
In a planned four-hour BBC mini-series drama, scripted by novelist William Boyd, Robert was contemplated (or offered?) to play the lead role as Adolf Hitler. The series would have been about Hitler as a young man, exploring his relationships with those in his inner circle. "Downey would be perfect," Boyd told the UK Daily Telegraph in June 2002. BBC reportedly dropped their plans in December 2002 because the problems of humanizing Hitler proved to be too controversial.

Alex and Emma
Robert was in discussions for the lead role opposite Kate Hudson. Luke Wilson later signed on for this part.

Gosford Park
Director Robert Altman wanted Robert to star together with Alan Bates, Stephen Fry, Emily Watson, Helen Mirren, and Kristin Scott Thomas. It's a multiple storylined drama set in 1930, showing the lives of upstairs guest and downstairs servants at a party in a country house in England. Robert would then have played Ryan Phillippe's part as the American actor.

Voltage
Director Robert Altman expressed an interest in casting Robert in "Voltage". He said he wants Robert in any/every film he makes.

Six Bullets From Now
Robert was in negotiations to play the role of big thief Bobby Comfort in "Six Bullets From Now", the story of the biggest hotel heist in history. Stephen T. Kay would direct the film, which was inspired by the events of New Year's Day 1972, when five gunmen stole more than $10 million in cash and jewels from the Pierre Hotel in New York City in broad daylight. Director Ridley Scott would serve as a producer. The filming was supposed to start in Spring 2002.

The Incredible Mrs. Richie
Writer and director Paul Johansson said he created a role specifically for Robert. Co-stars would have been Gena Rowlands and Trevor Morgan. Unknown why it didn't happen.

Chicago
According to a gossip columnist, there were talks of having Robert starring in one of the lead roles in this film musical. Quote "To play Billy Flynn, it's a crapshoot between Richard Gere and those who think Robert Downey Jr. is worth the wait, he'd just be so perfect." However, the part ended up going to Richard Gere. (*Not confirmed.)

James Van Praagh bio
James Van Praagh, a media famous man who claims he can speak to the dead, told ET Online that he wanted either Robert or Tom Selleck to portray him in a four-hour TV miniseries. Actor Ted Danson later got the part.

The Philadelphia Story
Reuters reported that Calista Flockhart was said to be signing up for the lead of the classic play "The Philadelphia Story" at a London theater stage. Robert was supposedly to be on her co-star 'wish list'. (*Not confirmed.)

Eddie Fisher bio
In early 2001, Eddie Fisher, famous for being a good looking and very popular singer in the mid 50's with thousands of women fans, expressed a wish for Robert to play him in the upcoming movie about his life. "If you're listening, Mr. Downey, I want you madly."

A Beautiful Mind
According to producer Brian Grazer, in late 2000 Robert was offered a supporting role opposite Russell Crowe in this Ron Howard directed film. The script is based on the biography of John Forbes Nash Jr., a leading mathematician who developed schizophrenia.

The Boston Strangler
It was rumored that Robert was at the top of the list to play Albert DeSalvo, the self-admitted Boston Strangler. The film would be based on Gerald Posner's investigative article for Talk magazine, "Who Is the Boston Strangler?" (*Not confirmed.)

America's Sweethearts
Robert was set to play Catherine Zeta-Jones' lover in this comedy directed by Joe Roth, but was unable to participate. The part instead went to Hank Azaria.

Will & Grace
Robert was contemplated, and possibly offered, the role of Will's boyfriend in this American TV sit-com.

Finger Nails and Smooth Skin
Robert was offered a part in this film. Steve Chbosky, author of "The Perks of Being a Wallflower", was to write and direct it for indie producer GreeneStreet, about a young couple who struggles to maintain their longtime relationship. (*Not confirmed.)

Hamlet
In 2000 it was reported that Mel Gibson tried to talk Robert into doing a stage run of Shakespeare's "Hamlet" in L.A. Mel would be directing and Robert play the part of Hamlet. It was later decided to put this project on indefinite hold.

Dan's Best Friend
In the early 90s, Robert started writing a movie script about a narcoleptic dogwalker for the rich and famous on Manhattan. Maybe it's still in the works and will become a movie some day.

You'll Never Wiez in This Town Again
In early 1999 Robert was supposedly set to star in this documentary/comedy, written and directed by Pauly Shore. A fading Hollywood star (Shore) tries to revive his career by faking his own death. Sean Penn, Tom Sizemore, Whoopi Goldberg, and Ellen DeGeneres were reported to be in it as well, playing themselves. (*Not confirmed.)

God, The Devil, and Bob
An animated comedy show on NBC, broadcast as half-hour episodes in Spring 2000. The plot revolved around the modern day problems of an ordinary Detroit auto worker. James Garner appeared as the voice of God, and Robert should have been the voice of the Devil.

Hollow Man
Robert was offered the lead role that later went to Kevin Bacon.

Wild Things
Robert was to play either Matt Dillon's or Kevin Bacon's part.

Freddie Mercury bio
According to an Cosmopolitan interview with Robert, he was in the running to portray Queen's Freddie Mercury in a biopic of the late lead singer's life.

Three Of Hearts
In an interview Robert revealed that he was considered for the male lead in this 1993 romantic comedy about a male escort who comes between a lesbian couple. He never did it because he disagreed with the the producers and writers about the script. The part went to William Baldwin instead. Apparently this MOVIE POSTER was published somewhere with a photo from the mid 80s.

The Three Musketeers
According to media reports, when Disney was planning to produce "The Three Musketeers" in the early 90s, they got competition from Columbia and TriStar who started working on their own versions. With the sudden demand for nine musketeers, the battle for actors became rabid. Director Jeremiah Chechik reportedly worked to line up Robert, Johnny Depp and Brad Pitt for the TriStar production. When Disney managed to sign Kiefer Sutherland and Charlie Sheen, both Columbia and TriStar buried their plans. (*Not confirmed.)

Edward Scissorhands
In an interview in 1991, Robert talked about a possible role in this film. Several years later, an article revealed that both Robert and Tom Cruise were interested in the lead. Johnny Depp ended up playing it.

Pretty in Pink
Robert was very close to being cast as Molly Ringwald's best friend, Ducky, according to The Washington Post in August 2006. (*Not confirmed.)

Seth and McGuigan
Robert, his friend from "Saturday Night Live", Anthony Michael Hall, and Robert's dad, wrote a movie script together in 1987 called "Seth and McGuigan". Something happens to two guys in a rehab center, and they can't get out. The story is about what they do looking for happiness. The script was probably supposed to delelope into a movie but never did.

The Contest
Actor Donnie Kehr and director Alan Baxter wrote a screenplay called "The Contest" in the early 80s , inspired by "The Long Walk" with elements of "Alien" thrown into the mix. The screenplay was about a group of young men, living in a futuristic American dictatorship, who join a walking contest in hopes of improving their status within their society. A scene from this screenplay was filmed in Central Park some time between 1983-1985 in order to raise money to make the film, however the project was ultimately abandoned. SCENE TRANSCRIPT AND CAPS

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* Listed projects has been published in various news media. "Not confirmed" means we haven't been able to confirm it from a direct interview with Robert, his representatives, or other close associates. Robert has of course been involved in, or might presently be working on other projects we haven't heard about.