Robert Downey Jr to play lead in Doctor Dolittle

Actor Robert Downey Jr has been roped in to play the title role in upcoming film The Voyage of Doctor Dolittle, which is based on the classic character who can talk to animals.

The film will be directed by Stephen Gaghan, reports variety.com.

British author Hugh Lofting created Doctor Dolittle in the 1920s series of children's books, in which a Victorian-era physician opts to treat animals instead of humans because he is able to speak with them.

The character was portrayed by Rex Harrison in the 1967 musical Doctor Dolittle, which won Oscars for Best Original Song and Best Visual Effects. 

Eddie Murphy starred in the 1998 film Doctor Dolittle and the 2001 sequel.