Coming off the highly-successful Iron Man film, Robert Downey, Jr. is very much in demand.  In fact, an offer recently surfaced for him to play none other than the ultimate Playboy Hugh Hefner himself in a biographical movie set to film as soon as a script is developed.

The Chicago Sun-Times report that Hugh Hefner was impressed by Downey’s work on Iron Man, and would like to sign Downey on to play Hefner in a biographical movie entitled “Playboy.”

Moreover, reports say that the setting of the film will be in Chicago, where the real life Playboy had its roots.  The 82-year-old founder also grew up in Galewood and began the magazine there before he moved it to California.  Hefner, who early in his college years began writing and working for magazines, launched the Playboy magazine in 1953, with its first issue in December of that year.  The issue had Marilyn Monroe on the cover, with nude photos of her inside.  Since then, Hefner has built an empire which now spans three business segments, including publishing, entertainment and licensing.

In 2005, Hefner jumped into the reality show bandwagon and launched his own show, The Girls Next Door, which featured him and his three girlfriends, Holly Madison, Bridget Marquardt and Kendra Wilkinson.

Today, with four seasons behind him, Hefner is ready to take on the big screen with his biographical movie.  There’s no official word yet on when the production will begin filming, but Hefner is optimistic that it may be as soon as next summer.  It really depends on Downey’s other projects such as the sequel to Iron Man.  Depending on Downey’s schedule, he might be able to squeeze in the Hugh Hefner film.  A representative for Downey has already confirmed that the actor is interested in the project, but nothing has been put down on paper as of the moment.  He may also be waiting for the director to be named and the script to be written.

Previously, Rush Hour’s Brett Ratner announced that he will be taking the director’s role for the film, but had to bail due to his other projects.  Nonetheless, if his schedule allows, Ratner will return to the Hefner project. Brian Grazer has also come aboard for the project as film producer.


-Valerie Anne del Castillo, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: Chicago Sun Times
(Photo courtesy of IronManMovie.Marvel.com)