Robert Downey Jr. Set to Open TIFF 2014 With ‘The Judge’

Robert Downey Jr. will kick off the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival with his latest film, “The Judge.” The film was previously announced as part of the event’s lineup earlier this week — what’s new is the film’s opening night distinction. 

“The Judge” also stars Robert Duvall, Vera Farmiga, Vincent D’Onofrio, Jeremy Strong, Dax Shepard and Billy Bob Thornton. The Warner Bros. film will open the festival on September 4.

In the drama, Downey Jr. plays a big city lawyer who returns to his childhood home, where his estranged father (Duvall) is suspected of murder. 

“[Director] David Dobkin has delivered a moving, textured story about family, duty and the way we remember our past. We couldn’t have asked for a better start to this year’s event,” said Piers Handling, Director and CEO, TIFF.

“I brought my first film, ‘Clay Pigeons,’ to Toronto, so 15 years later to actually be on opening night with ‘The Judge’ is incredibly special and thrilling,” Dobkin stated.

The Toronto International Film Festival runs September 4-14, 2014.