Robert Downey Jr To Play Hugh Hefner in ‘Playboy’ Biopic?

The biopic of Hugh Hefner called Playboy was announced way back last June, but is still yet to go in to production or even have a cast or crew named. It was thought Tom Cruise may be being lined up to play the magazine mogul, but the latest rumblings seem to indicate Iron Man himself Robert Downey Jr is now being lined up instead.

According to The Chicago Sun Times, the actor is seriously considering the role, although his representatives say he’s unlikely to commit until a script is finished and a director is named. Brett Ratner, he of Rush Hour and X Men 3: The Last Stand fame was attached to the project but has now left.

So why Downey Jr? It seems to be a case of nothing more than Hefner himself having seen Iron Man and liking what he saw of Downey Jr. His humour and vulnerability are apparently two key facets of his personality which Hefner thinks the actor could portray well.

I certainly think Downey Jr would be a better choice than Cruise. If I think of Hefner, which I must admit isn’t something I do very often, I see Downey Jr rather than Cruise being able to play him much better. The only problem I can foresee is the fact the film has already taken so long to get going. Hef isn’t getting any younger… will it be made in time I wonder?