When last we reported on director David Dobkins' dramedy The Judge, it was to announce that Bill Dubuque had come on to do a rewrite and that Robert Downey Jr. was producing the picture as a starring vehicle. Now it looks as if Warner Bros. has extended an unofficial offer to Jack Nicholson to play Downey Jr.'s father in the film. Originally penned by Nick Schenk with an intermediate rewrite from David Seidler, The Judge centers on an attorney who returns home for his motherâs funeral only to discover that his estranged father, a judge who suffers from Alzheimerâs, is suspected of murder. Hit the jump for more, including how Nicholson's fussy track record of selecting roles may impact The Judge.THR reported that Warner Bros. and Nicholson will enter into negotiations this week that might land the 75-year-old acting veteran in The Judge. They're quick to point out that Nicholson has only taken on only four movies in the last decade; two of them (2006âs The Departed and 2007âs The Bucket List) were for Warner Bros. Past projects are no promise of future work either, as Nicholson turned down a chance to reunite with writer/director Nancy Meyers (Something's Gotta Give) just this summer.As for Downey Jr., who just wrapped on Iron Man 3, it looks like The Judge is intended to be his next picture.  Downey Jr. will produce with Susan Downey and David Gambino of Team Downey. Dobkin will direct as well as produce with his producing partner Jeff Kleeman. All involved hope they can land Nicholson before Downey Jr.'s schedule closes up within the coming year.
Jack Nicholson Recruited to Serve as Robert Downey Jr.'s Father in THE JUDGE
Jack Nicholson is negotiating to play Robert Downey Jr.'s father in THE JUDGE, a dramedy from director David Dobkin originally scripted by Nick Schenk