Image Credit: Armando Gallo/Retna Ltd; John Kobal Foundation/Getty ImagesRobert Downey Jr. and Steve McQueen? Sounds like a dream pair to us, even though the late Hollywood legend hasn’t been around for 30 years. But RDJ has figured out a way to pull it off anyway: He’ll produce and star in Yucatan, a movie based on an original idea by McQueen.
The movie will follow a “renegade deep-sea salvage expert” who is hired to steal a treasure that’s been stashed underwater in Mexico. In a weird parallel, the movie itself came from hidden treasure of sorts: an old trunk discovered by McQueen’s son. Inside, the Great Escape star had stashed hundreds of pages of notes on the project before his death in 1980.
The idea gives us a kind of Wet-n-Wild National Treasure vibe — in a good way. And since the project was conceived in the 60s, is it too much to hope for a cool, retro look for it? Like, RDJ in an old-timey, metal scuba contraption, plunging into the black depths of the ocean without any computers to guide the way?
What do you think, PopWatchers: Could Yucatan make a splash? Or does it sound all wet to you?
This almost sounds like the premise for Night Moves; a very under-appreciated movie from 1975 starring Gene Hackman and introducing Melanie Griffinith (miss you from TV, Selma Blair).
And can ew.com really not bar these stupid bots like jiad above??
I will watch anything with RDJ in it!!!
Robert Downey Jr., you just made my month. My mental image of this project has you channeling Steve McQueen whilst running around in something resembling “Sahara”. That sounds as magical as unicorns, and ten times more fun.
RDJ’s character should drive a Mustang Fastback just like the one in Bullet in a homage to McQueen.
Retro 60′s look would be awesome!!!!
Yes it would… and it wouldn’t just be “Iron Man w/Water” then
If there’s any actor today who can come to close to being (almost) as cool as Steve McQueen, it’s RDJ.
Can only imagine what great things McQueen would have done if he hadn’t died so young, such a shame.
Just picture RDJ emerging from the azure seas in some neoprene short shorts! I’m there.
I think it’d be interesting if perhaps Steven R. McQueen, his grandson who plays Jeremy Gilbert on Vampire Diaries, had a small role in the film just to keep a part of Steve in presence and not just plot.
I don’t expect him to play RDJ’s sidekick or anything, but even if it’s a four line role, it’d be kind of cool.
I was thinking the exact same thing. Maybe be part of RDJ’s crew or something.
Good to see RDJ finally at the top of the tree and looking happy too.
Would be glad to see Yucatan come to life, tho’ RDJ wears a different brand of cool than McQueen. Just watched 5 of McQueen’s films at a run, starting with “Love with the Proper Stranger” & ending with “The Getaway”. I would imagine RDJ will have his own genius take on the character. Better someone like him, than some watered down wannabe or misfit like Daniel Craig.
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Oh yes please make that movie