Robert Downey Jr. takes on James Stewart's role in Vertigo remake
A remake of Alfred Hitchcock's 1958 psychological thriller Vertigo is officially in development, with Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight penning the script.
The film, set to be distributed by Paramount, will star Robert Downey Jr. in the iconic role of John "Scottie" Ferguson, originally played by James Stewart.
In an exclusive interview with The Direct, Knight admitted the challenge of adapting Vertigo, calling it 'the best film ever made.' He joked, 'You'd have to be an idiot to adapt it, and so that's what I am,' acknowledging the difficulty of reworking the revered classic.
Knight likened the writing process to 'diffusing a Second World War time bomb,' emphasizing the complexity of the plot and the high expectations surrounding the remake. Despite the daunting task, he expressed enthusiasm for the project, saying, 'I like stuff like that. It's just so weird to try and do it and just give it a go.'
Downey Jr. is also set to produce the film alongside his wife, Susan Downey, and Davis Entertainment's John Davis and John Fox.
While work on the script is still ongoing, Knight's schedule is packed with other high-profile projects, including the Peaky Blinders movie and a possible third season of SAS: Rogue Heroes. However, with a relative lull in his workload, now seems to be the ideal time for the Vertigo remake to move forward.
No release date has been announced for the film.
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