Robert Downey Jr. eyeing 'How to Talk to Girls'

LOS ANGELES  - Robert Downey Jr. has officially left the orbit of "Gravity," the Alfonso Cuaron outer space survival thriller set up at Warner Bros.

But those who need their Downey fix can turn their attention to 20th Century Fox's "How to Talk to Girls."

Sources say that actor is circling the project, an adaptation of a book by a nine-year old boy revolving around advice on how to deal with the opposite sex.

Downey, along with wife and producing partner Susan Downey, would also come aboard as one of the producers.

"Girls" was written by Alec Greven, then 9 years old, as a school project. It landed the boy a publishing deal (at least three other "How to Talk to ..." books have been written) and put him on talk shows across the country.

An script has already been written, but word is that the project is being reconceived and developed as a Downey vehicle.

Susan Downey will spearhead the development process and will oversee the hiring of a writer.

No deals have been made and insiders caution that Downey is only eyeing "Girls." The actor is still attached to "Oz: The Great and Powerful" at Disney, which the studio is hoping to start shooting next summer.

With regards to "Gravity," Sandra Bullock is still in negotiations to star in the pic, and Warners Bros. will likely recast Downey's character which only appeared in the first act.