Downey gives credit where due: His wife
Though Robert Downey Jr. stars as the eponymous Dr. Dolittle in the fantasy-adventure remake “Dolittle,” which he also executive produced, the actor was quick to heap praise on his wife and producer Susan Downey, for her contributions to the project.
“She is the greatest creative producer in the history of cinema,” Downey proclaimed at the film’s premiere Saturday in Los Angeles. “And I make faces for cash and chicken. Even though no, I’m off chicken now.” “Not chicken anymore,” Susan Downey said. “I’m going plant-based! For cash and legumes,” her husband quipped.
Helmed by Stephen Gaghan, the remake of the 1967 film “Doctor Dolittle” follows the story of the beloved literary character, an eccentric physician and veterinarian gifted with the ability to speak to animals. The 2020 version initially finds Dolittle as an unshaven recluse who is drawn out of seclusion for a mission. Dolittle is accompanied by apprentice Tommy Stubbins (Harry Collett) and his coterie of exotic animals, voiced by a star-studded cast including Selena Gomez, Rami Malek John Cena, Michael Sheen, Emma Thompson, Octavia Spencer and Kumail Nanjiani.
Walking the green carpet, Gomez explained how she came to voice Betsy the giraffe: “Luckily the director’s daughter (Betsy Gaghan) was a huge fan of mine and I’m actually named after her, the character,” she said. “So, it’s really sweet.”
Gomez was also celebrating the release of “Rare”, her first studio album in more than four years, which dropped the day before the premiere.
“It’s been cool,” Gomez said of the reaction thus far.