Movies - Dolittle : Meet the cast among some official interviews

By Mulder, 10 january 2020

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.

When global superstar Robert Downey Jr. decided that his first post-Marvel Universe project would be tackling the beloved veterinarian’s journey—and returning the inspired narrative to its Victorian England roots—a hero for a new generation of cinematic adventure seekers was born. Roth and Kirschenbaum had reached out to Team Downey—the production company run by Robert and Susan Downey, the actor-producer’s wife and long-time collaborator—and had found fellow creators who appreciated Roth’s knack for reinterpreting classic tales. From Alice in Wonderland to Snow White and the Huntsman, the prolific producer has taken long-thought-familiar stories and translated them into blockbuster franchises. Roth and Kirschenbaum were certain that Robert Downey take on the brilliantly complex Dolittle would be one for the ages….

Here the official interviews with the cast :

Itw Susan Downey (producer)

Itw Robert Downey Jr

Itw Jessie Buckley

Itw John Cena

Itw Michael Sheen

Itw Carmel Laniado

Itw Carmel Laniado and Harry Collett

Itw Harry Collett

Itw Antonio Banderas

Itw Craig Robinson

Itw Jim Broadbent

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).

Synopsis :
After his wife’s death seven years before, the eccentric John Dolittle (Downey), famed doctor and veterinarian in Victorian England, becomes a hermit, hiding himself away behind the high walls of Dolittle Manor, with only his menagerie of animals for company. But when Queen Victoria (Jessie Buckley) 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 encounters wondrous creatures.

Dolittle
Directed by Stephen Gaghan
Produced by Joe Roth, Jeff Kirschenbaum Susan Downey
Screenplay by Stephen Gaghan, Dan Gregorn Doug Mand
Story by Thomas Shepherd
Based on Doctor Dolittle by Hugh Lofting
Starring Robert Downey Jr., Antonio Banderas,, Michael Sheen, Emma Thompson, Rami Malek, John Cena, Kumail Nanjiani, Octavia Spencer, Tom Holland, Craig Robinson, Ralph Fiennes, Selena Gomez, Marion Cotillard
Music by Danny Elfman
Cinematography : Guillermo Navarro
Edited by Craig Alpertn Nick Moore
Production company : Media Rights Capital, Team Downey, Roth Films
Distributed by Universal Pictures
Release date : January 17, 2020 (United States), February 5, 2020 (France)
Running time : 106 minutes

Photos and videos : Copyright Universal Pictures