There are some names that you hire when you’re trying to get an Oscar or two on the shelf. Peter Morgan is one of them. The screenwriter has worked almost entirely in prestige films and almost primarily in real-life figure – from The Queen to The Last King of Scotland to Frost/Nixon. Now, according to The Hollywood Reporter, he’s close to writing about “Playboy” founder Hugh Hefner. The research process will probably be staggering. That means producer Jerry Weintraub and Warners are serious about making this one award-worthy. Without a doubt, the nudity will be tasteful.    

Despite his off-camera problems in the mid-1990s, Robert Downey Jr. has always been a truly great American actor. So why shouldn’t he move on to playing an American icon, maybe Playboy founder Hugh Hefner, perhaps?

There’s a rumour floating about that Tom Cruise is all set to play Hugh Hefner in Brett Ratner’s upcoming biopic, which is leaving the gossip columnists shaking their heads.