Director-ScreenwriterShane Black, famous forPredator (1987)and for later directing its latest entryThe Predator(2018), is reportedly set to reunite with MCU fameRobert Downey Jr.for a film focusing on Donald E. Westlake’s character, Parker. The duo has previously worked together on two films,Kiss Kiss Bang Bang(2005)and theIron Manthreequel that kicked off Phase 2 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. With this untitled Amazon Studios project, both Black and Robert are probably up for a third outing in collaboration.
The details of the story are under wraps, and it’s unknown if the film will feature an original story or would directly adapt one of the Stark novels featuring Parker. It’s reported that Shane Black is writing and directing the film for Amazon Studios with Downey being eyed for the eponymous role.
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Downey and Black Over The Years
Downey Jr. has had great success over the last decade by primarily featuring in Marvel Studios’ projects andplaying the pop-culture icon and superhero figure Tony Stark/Iron Man. In the 2010s, he mainly appeared in Marvel projects and later played John Dolittle after his exit from the MCU, in the critically pannedDolittle. However, Downey has now been roped in for Christopher Nolan’sOppenheimerwherein he will play Lewis Strauss. Downey will star in the film alongside Cillian Murphy in the lead role and Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, Florence Pugh, Rami Malek also starring in supporting roles.
On the other hand, Shane Black has had a mixed last decade with his films.The Nice Guys(2016), a neo-noir buddy action comedy starring Russell Crowe and Ryan Goslingbecame a critical successand has eventually gained the status of a cult classic. He later directedThe Predator(2018), a film following up a franchise set by the 1987 originalPredatormovie in which Black starred. Starring Boyd Holbrook, Jacob Tremblay, Olivia Munn, and Keegan-Michael Key, the film opened to worse critical response but doubled its production budget on box-office.
Shane and Downey’s collaboration onParkerwould be a fresh outing for both of them as they will be transitioning into a new phase of their respective careers. Though their previous collaborations haven’t been entirely successful; evenIron Man 3failed to replicate the success of previousIron Man filmsdespite praising the criticsand fell short of its franchise predecessorThe Avengers.
Though there aren’t any further details on the said Amazon Studios project, we’ll ensure to bring more from it on MovieWeb as soon as any info gets out.
