Downey Jr. is a Cowboy

Robert Downey, Jr. is in negotiations to reteam with IRON MAN writers Hawk Ostby and Mark Fergus and it’s NOT on IRON MAN 2 (at least not yet). Downey, Jr. is in negotiations to star in COWBOYS & ALIENS an upcoming DreamWorks/Universal adaptation of the graphic novel. The studios are shaping the film to be their 2010 summer tentpole and the addition of the now established star power of Downey, Jr. would certainly cement that fact. COWBOYS AND ALIENS has been around for years now and has had tons of writers with Ostby and Fergus turning in the latest draft. Other writers have included David Hayter (X-MEN), Steve Oedekerk (EVAN ALMIGHTY) and Jeffrey Boam (INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSDADE). Uber-producer (excuse me Bruckheimer whilst I borrow your title) Brian Grazer is shepherding the film along with another guy you may have heard of, Steven Spielberg. Set in 1800s Arizona, a skirmish between cowboys and Apaches is interrupted by the crash landing of a space ship. The alien commander plans to tame the Old West and enslave everyone, but the cowboys and Native Americans turn their six-guns against the alien invaders. Downey, Jr. would play Zeke Jackson, a former Union Army gunslinger who helps organize the uprising. No word on when filming might begin and how it might impact the aforementioned IRON MAN 2.