A remake of Alfred Hitchcock's (1899-1980) thriller "Vertigo - Aus dem Reich der Toten" from 1958 is apparently in the works. Robert Downey Jr. (57) is said to be toying with the lead role. According to the US industry portal "Deadline", Paramount Pictures has already given the film the green light. The 'Iron Man' star is producing the flick and may take on the role of John 'Scottie' Ferguson, made famous by James Stewart (1908-1997).

The screenplay for the remake was written by Steven Knight (63), who is known, among other things, for the successful BBC series "Peaky Blinders". Shortly before, Variety reported that Knight was hired to write a new Star Wars film after writers Damon Lindelof, 49, and Justin Britt-Gibson left the project.

Based on the French novel D'entre les morts, 'Vertigo' initially received mixed reviews upon its release but soon became one of Hitchcock's most celebrated films.