If you're thinking this is going to be a reboot of the Eddie Murphy version of the character, you're way off.

Way, way, way off. This latest adaptation of the classic character will be set in Victorian times - when the original novel was set - and feature Robert Downey Jr. in familiar Victorian surroundings as the title character. Joining him will be Tom Holland voicing a dog, Rami Malek of Mr. Robot fame voicing a gorilla, Emma Thompson voicing a Polynesian parrot, Marion Cotillard voicing a fox, Ralph Fiennes voicing a tiger (obviously) and John Cena voicing a polar bear.

The film was first announced about a year ago, however Robert Downey Jr. announced the full cast of voices on Twitter yesterday evening, with Variety confirming Michael Sheen, Antonio Banderas and Jim Broadbent in live-action roles.

Here's the tweet in question.

The Voyage Of Doctor Dolittle will be directed by Stephen Gaghan, who's best known for directing Syriana - yes, that geo-political thriller with George Clooney and his beard - and writing the screenplay to Steven Soderbergh's Traffic. How he's going to shift from serious work like this to what's likely going to be some kind of Disney-esque family caper remains to be seen, but it won't fail for lack of talent.

The film is slated for release on April 12th, 2019.

 

Via Variety / Twitter