Robert Downey Jr will star in the movie The Voyage of Doctor Do Little, based on the classic character who can talk to animals, for Universal Pictures. The latest film about the physician who can talk to animals will be written and directed by Stephen Gaghan, who won an Oscar for his Traffic screenplay. Syriana director Stephen Gaghan will lead the remake of the story of the eccentric physician who lives with a host of animals he claims to converse with. Downey Jr will follow actors Rex Harrison and Eddie Murphy in the role. The character of the doctor was created by children’s author Hugh Lofting in the 1920s. Universal won the project after what it termed “a highly competitive situation” in Hollywood. Dr John Dolittle made his debut in the 1920s series of children’s books by Hugh Lofting. The character, who shuns humans in favour of animals, was played on the big screen by Rex Harrison in 1967’s Doctor Dolittle and Eddie Murphy in a 1998 adaptation. Downey and his wife Susan will take part in production along with Joe Roth and Jeff Kirschenbaum. Should the new DrDolittle succeed, that will be the third franchise for Marvel’s roaster-in-chief.