The 'cool' factor on the already unfeasibly cool idea of "Cowboys & Aliens" has risen inexorably with the signing of Robert Downey Jr. in the lead role. "Iron Man" star RDJ is in negotiations to star in DreamWorks/Universal's adaptation of the sci-fi graphic novel, which features a heady blend of Ol' West sensibilities with an extreme Close Encounter. The Hollywood Reporter is claiming that "Cowboys & Aliens" will be the studios banner release for 2010.
Thus far the producing roster for DreamWorks/Universal's title reads like a who's who of Hollywood power-broking with Imagine Entertainment's Brian Grazer and Ron Howard along for the ride alongside the DreamWorks crew of Steven Spielberg, Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci.
"Cowboys & Aliens", based on the graphic novel by Fred Van Lente and Andrew Foley, focuses on an Old West battle between the Apache and Western invaders, one of whom includes our (anti)hero Zeke Jackson (Downey Jr.), a Union Army stooge. The battle, going to form at this point, is interrupted by a spaceship crash landing nearby. Soon enough, both the Apache and Army soldiers must band together to fight this new extraterrestrial threat seemingly hell-bent on conquering the world.
Keeping up the "Iron Man" connection, 'Shellhead' and "Children of Men" scribes Hawk Ostby and Mark Fergus have taken a run up at the first draft of the script.