Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Wales Online
Wales Online
Entertainment
Nathan Bevan

Twitter goes mad as Robert Downey Jr unveils Valleys accent in the new Dolittle movie trailer

He helped save the world as Iron Man in the blockbusting Avengers movies.

And now Robert Downey Jr looks set to to singlehandedly boost the Welsh tourism industry through the roof by having a go at a Valleys accent in his new multi-million dollar film Dolittle.

The first trailer for the upcoming feature, which was partly shot here last summer , has just dropped online and fans have so far gone mad for the star's attempt at a lilting Welsh voice.     

The latest big screen attempt at the 1920s family favourite about a doctor who can talk to animals - previous big screen versions starred Rex Harrison (1967) and Eddie Murphy (1998) -  the two minute clip sees the Marvel comic book actor giving it his best 'Anthony Hopkins' in the title role.

This upcoming big budget version, due in UK cinemas in early 2020, goes back to Victorian times to tell the story of an eccentric medic coaxed into a globe-trotting adventure after having become a hermit following the death of his wife.

"I'm having a good time," said Downey Jr about the project earlier this year. "Although I decided to give myself, like, 40 additional challenges, like a Welsh accent — which even Welsh people say is hard to do."

And, like the criticism that's greeted other Hollywood stars who've had a stab at sounding like they're from this side of the Severn - we're thinking Tom Hardy in Locke and the entire cast of How Green Was My Valley - not everyone seems convinced the American has pulled it off.

"What is that accent RDJ is trying to attempt in the new Dr.Dolittle trailer?! Scottish? Welsh? If it’s either then, take it from me, it doesn't sound good..." tweets perfectly_comfortable.

"RDJ deserves as much flack for that Welsh accent in Dr. Dolittle as Benedict got for his American Doctor Strange accent," adds tired teacher, while Thomas Cook called it "all kinds of weird."

Renamed from its previous title, The Voyage Of Doctor Dolittle, Dolittle also features performances from  the likes of Michael Sheen, Antonio Banderas, John Cena, Marion Cotillard, Frances de la Tour, Ralph Fiennes and Tom Holland.

It'll be released in UK cinemas in February.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.