Robert Downey Jr. was poised to saddle up, once again with “Iron Man” director Jon Favreau for the science-fiction western “Cowboys & Aliens”, but RDJ has reportedly left the project, though the movie will still move forward with Favreau, and DreamWorks is seeking a new hero to replace Downey. Production is tentatively set to begin this year for a planned release in summer 2011.

Scheduling issues forced Downey to re-think his participation in the film, as it would have marked the third potential franchise for the star to be involved with, after Iron Man and Sherlock Holmes (not to mention the upcoming Avengers).