Robert Downey Jr. Sets ‘Date’ with Galifianakis

Published by Jeff Leins on July 27, 2009

Robert Downey Jr. has signed to star opposite Zach Galifianakis in Due Date, a comedy directed by Hangover helmer Todd Phillips.

The Oscar-nominated actor will play an expectant first-time father stuck in a snowstorm hundreds of miles from his pregnant wife.  When she goes into labor, Downey’s character has to hitch a ride with a college student (Galifianakis) to hurry to the birth.

Galifianakis and Phillips just worked together on The Hangover which has become the highest grossing R-rated comedy of all time ($247 million and counting) for Warner Bros.  Since that Vegas craziness was made for only $35M, WB is plenty happy with Phillips right now.  Unfortunately, the Hangover sequel isn’t ready yet and a possible Old School 2 is still toiling in development.  Due Date will step up and go into production in September.  Phillips described it as a “buddy comedy without the buddies.”  That reminds me of the bromance I have with RDJ, though technically we’re not bros (yet), so it’s just a “mance.”

Downey may be snarky as Stark, but after watching him work the mic for two Comic-Con panels this past weekend he definitely has comedy chops.  I doubt he’ll be playing the straight man to Galifianakis’ wild and weird sense of humor.  However, an online script review said this new comedy is funny but no Hangover.  Hopefully the pairing can elevate this above jokes we’ve seen before.