Can Robert Downey Junior. Handle Three Franchises?

It is said if you want to visit done, you have to supply the task to someone who's already busy. Maybe that describes the sale introduced earlier Wednesday for Robert Downey Junior. to possibly star in the lately-launched 'Perry Mason' movie franchise. For people keeping score in your house, this is actually the actor's third active franchise, after 'Iron Man' and 'Sherlock Holmes.' Which made us question: does RDJ truly have time to star in three huge blockbuster franchises simultaneously? Is he disbursing themselves too thin? Should we applaud him for his ambitious organizing or disdain him for monopolizing the limited pool of franchise material readily available for fortysomething stars? Maybe he could share the wealth slightly? Ultimately, it's tough to consider Perry Mason without imagining Raymond Burr, the plus-size actor who carried out the lawyer/sleuth for several years on tv. However, who among current stars is imposing and charming enough to wield Burr's brief-situation? Russell Crowe might display the menacing bulk, while not always the nimble intellect the other way round for George Clooney. The slight Downey can't match Burr's physique, but he's an in-your-face physical presence (see his bare-chested fight scene in 'Sherlock Holmes') together with the mental agility. Maybe Warner Bros. really did cast the most effective actor for your role and not one who's around the current hot streak. It is not unequalled for just about any star to own two franchises going simultaneously. The epic-length shoot of 'The Our god in the Rings' trilogy will be a haven for stars moonlighting off their synchronised franchises -- Ian McKellen ('X-Men'), Congressman Congressman Christopher Lee (the 'Star Wars' prequels), Hugo Weaving ('The Matrix'). Still, not since Harrison Ford alternated 'Star Wars' movies with Indiana Manley adventures shall we be seen an actress getting a number one role in a number of franchise at any time. Really, Downey's only rival for schedule-stacking at this time around among leading males is Difficulties, which has both Jason Bourne and 'Dragon Tattoo' franchises going. He's also in the third potential franchise launcher, December's 'The Adventures of Tintin,' though he'll be essentially unrecognizable (it's a motion-capture animation role) just like a villain who's a little character at finest in the Tintin books. Imagine: if 'Cowboys & Aliens' or 'The Golden Compass' happen to be hits, Craig might have been in five franchises simultaneously. Nonetheless, the 'Perry Mason' deal makes Downey the current king in the blockbuster franchise leading males. It is not apparent when the movie occasion to get made Downey has one or more more appearance as Holmes and a pair of more as Iron Guy to complete first. Still, I guess you ought to be happy for your actor. It was not in the past he was essentially unemployable in movies. Simpler to must much work these days enough. [Top Photo: Vital/MPTVImages.com/Warner Bros.] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook Follow Gary Susman on Twitter: @garysusman