Friday Hollywood Rumor: Robert Downey Jr. to Play Hugh Hefner

By Jacy Wojcik in Arts & Entertainment on May 23, 2008 10:18PM

Rumor has it that Hugh Hefner has signed off on Robert Downey Jr. to portray him in Playboy, the Hef biopic that may begin shooting as early as next summer. Downey is said to be interested but won't commit until a script is set and a director is announced. (Brett Ratner was initially signed on to direct but apparently, that's not happening anymore. [Ed note: Thank God.])

What does that mean for us Chicagoans? Potential Robert Downey Jr. sightings throughout Chicago in the near future, if plans to film scenes of Hef's early life when he started the Playboy franchise from his Hyde Park home to the first Playboy mansion at 1340 N. State Parkway go through. Yes, it's a lot of speculation and hearsay but after our recent trip to see Iron Man, we welcome any and all rumors of Mr. Downey paying Chicago a visit. [S-T]