Robert Downey Jr. to make Broadway debut as writer with 'unhealthy fascination with AI'

Robert Downey Jr. will debut on Broadway in the play “McNeal”, by Ayad Akhtar, Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, in the role of a writer with “an unhealthy fascination for artificial intelligence”, writes The Guardian, quoted by Agerpres.

The Oscar-winning star will star in the “McNeal”the story of a writer struggling with “an estranged son, a new novel, old rivalries and an unhealthy fascination with artificial intelligence”.

It is about a piece described as “surprising and very intelligent”.

“McNeal” will be performed at the Lincoln Center Theater in New York, the theater where the play is currently being performed “Uncle Vanea”, starring Steve Carell.

The play will be directed by Tony Award-winning showrunner Bartlett Sher “South Pacific” in 2008 and “To Kill a Mockingbird” in 2018.

“McNeal” will have a limited number of performances from September to November.

Robert Downey Jr. won an Oscar in 2024 in the category of best supporting actor for his performance in “Oppenheimer”, directed by Christopher Nolan. He will also be part of the distribution of the television adaptation of the novel “The Sympathizer”by Viet Thanh Nguyen, directed by Park Chan-Wook.

Four decades since his last appearance on Broadway

The actor last appeared on stage in 1983 in an off-Broadway production of the play “American Passion”, with Jane Krakowski.

“It's been 40 years since I last stepped <>, but I hope to get the hang of it quickly''he said in a statement.

Known for his role as Tony Stark in the Marvel universe, Robert Downey Jr. is also set to play a small role in the comedy “All Star Weekend”directed by Jamie Foxx.

Ayad Akhtar also wrote the songs “Disgraced” (2012), which brought him the Pulitzer Prize in the theater category, and “Junk” (2016), which was nominated for Best Play at the Tony Awards. He is currently working on a Broadway adaptation of the Oscar-winning musical “La La Land”.

The most recent Broadway season was marked by the debuts of other Hollywood actors including Steve Carell, but also Rachel McAdams, who received a Tony Award nomination for her role in the show “Mary Jane”.