The previous attempt to modernize Doctor Dolittle came in the late 1990s with Eddie Murphy taking the lead. It spawned one sequel, but didn’t seem to launch a full franchise. Now, Universal Studios is attempting to breathe new life into the character, this time going with the more simple title of DOLITTLE, and casting Robert Downey Jr. in the title role. It also looks considerably more serious than Murphy’s attempts. Written and directed by Stephen Gaghan (TRAFFIC and SYRIANA), the 2020 production has an impressive voice cast that features Rami Malek (gorilla), Octavia Spencer (duck), Kumail Nanjiani (ostrich), John Cena (polar bear), Emma Thompson (parrot), Marion Cotillard, Frances de la Tour, Carmen Ejogo, Ralph Fiennes, Selena Gomez, Tom Holland, and Craig Robinson, along with live action roles featuring Antonio Banderas, Michael Sheen and the great Jim Broadbent. Not sure what to think about this one, as the trailer actually shows very little of the animals and seems to focus on Downey looking intense. I’m also not sure this concept is meant to be anything other than a family film geared mostly toward kids, and this version looks a bit more… adult. Check out the first trailer below and tell us your thoughts in the comments.
After losing his wife seven years earlier, the eccentric Dr. John Dolittle (Robert Downey Jr.), 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) 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 (Harry Collett) and a raucous coterie of animal friends, including an anxious gorilla (Rami Malek), an enthusiastic but bird-brained duck (Octavia Spencer), a bickering duo of a cynical ostrich (Kumail Nanjiani) and an upbeat polar bear (John Cena) and a headstrong parrot (Emma Thompson), who serves as Dolittle’s most trusted advisor and confidante.
Born and raised in Dallas, Mark has been a movie critic since 1994, with reviews featured in print, radio and National TV. In 2001 he started the Entertainment section of the Herorealm website, where he contributed film reviews and celebrity interviews until 2004. After three years of service there, he started Bigfanboy.com, which has become one of the Dallas film community's leading information websites. Bigfanboy hosts several movie screenings in the Texas area, and works closely with film and TV studios and promotional partners to host exciting events and contests. The site also features a variety of rare celebrity and filmmaker interviews, and Bigfanboy.com regularly covers the film festival circuit as well. In addition to Hollywood reporting, Mark has worked for many years as an advertising and sci-fi/comic book artist. Clients have included Lucasfilm Ltd., Topps Trading Cards, The Dallas Mavericks and The Dallas Stars. From 2002 until 2015 he managed the Dallas Comic Con, Sci-Fi Expo and Fan Days events in the DFW area. He currently catalogs rare comic books and movie memorabilia for Heritage Auctions, and runs the Dallas Comic Show conventions, but remains an avid moviegoer and cinema buff. 
