Richard Linklater Reunites with Robert Downey Jr. for Real-Life Con Man Movie

Boyhood director Richard Linklater worked with Robert Downey Jr. more than a decade ago in 2006's rotoscoped paranoid thriller A Scanner Darkly, and now the two will join forces for a new movie that's based on a true story. THR says Linklater will direct Downey in an untitled con man movie inspired by an episode of the popular Reply All podcast called "Man of the People."

The podcast tells the true story of two doctors: Dr. John Brinkley, who scammed his way to fame and fortune using fake medicine, populism and radio, and Dr. Morris Fishbein, the editor of the journal of the America Medical Association who goes on a decade-long quest to take Brinkley down.

There's no official word yet on which part Downey would play, but one assumes he'd be attracted to the role of the charismatic con man. I'm excited to see what kind of collaboration these two have at this point in their careers; last time they worked together, Downey wasn't even close to the global mega-star status he has now, so it'll be fascinating to see how someone that famous works in one of Linklater's typically lower-key movies. Team Downey will produce alongside Megan Ellison's Annapurna Pictures.