Robert Downey Jr. May Join Assassin’s Creed

Robert Downey Jr. isn’t opposed to franchises. The massive movie star isn’t opposed to role-playing in epic period thrillers.

But does Robert Downey Jr. need another big role in what’s shaping up to be a franchise-launching tentpole based on a hugely successful and popular video game series?

Take this bit of news with a grain of salt, but it is being reported that Robert Downey Jr. has “signed on” to play Leonardo da Vinci in the movie adaptation of “Assassin’s Creed,” with Michael Fassbender attached to the leading role of Desmond Miles.

In this version of the story, Fassbender’s character will be a bartender who is “captured by a large corporation and is forced into a machine, named ‘The Animus,’ allowing him to relive the memories of his ancestors … to retrieve powerful and dangerous artifacts.

Those who have played the video game on which “Assassin’s Creed” will be based already are familiar with the time-traveling aspect of the storyline. But where does Da Vinci fit in?

The acclaimed artist was introduced in Assassin’s Creed II, providing assistance to the character of Ezio Auditore da Firenze when the action in the game shifted to Italy.

The character returned for several “Assassin’s Creed” stories, including Renaissance and Brotherhood. The mythology of “Assassin’s Creed” extends far beyond the rich, cultural game – which explains why Hollywood wants to get into this universe.

The role of Da Vinci could end up being a small mentor part, one that allows Robert Downey Jr. the chance to interact with and assist Michael Fassbender’s Desmond Miles as he acclimates to the Animus and figures out how to operate in the land of the assassins.

RDJ could chew some scenery, trade barbs with Fassbender, and collect a nice paycheck in between Marvel gigs and “Sherlock Holmes” sequels.

But we’ll wait until we can definitely confirm Robert Downey Jr.’s involvement in the 2015 “Assassin’s Creed” movie before we start getting our hopes up.