Robert Downey Jr. explains why he picked 'Dolittle' for his first non-Marvel movie in 6 years

And it's a new adventure, something new to try, new degree of difficulty." The Downeys do indeed count alpacas, goats, pigs, cows, chickens and cats among the inhabitants on their Malibu, Calif., farm, but that does not mean the actor rehearsed with them to play Dr. John Dolittle, who has the ability to talk to and understand animals.