I didn’t say that it was false. I did say that as this point this is nothing but unsubstantiated gossip. Which is fine. I didn’t want to knock on your journalistic integrity or whatever Rodney, everything’s cool.
I just like a bit of fact in my reports because if I would fantasize about all casting rumors coming from overenthusiastic publicists, I wouldn’t have time to eat or sleep.

Why do you read these sites then? Most of what we write would be dismissed if that is how you want to approach it.

Quoted:
“Downey’s publicists feel the same, “A representative for the actor said he’s interested in the Hefner project but is unlikely to commit to it until a script is done and a director is named,”

Downey’s rep said he was interested. That’s not good enough for you?

However it is just the approval as nothing else has been established yet. Downey says he is very interested but wont sign until he says there is a script and director.

All we have so far is Hef backing the idea and Downey being approached.

In what way did Downey express his interest? Got any soundbites? Or excerpts from an interview? As long as I don’t hear it from his own mouth, I don’t believe anything.
If you however have a source, feel free to post it and I will apologize happily.

(and so will motion capture animation)

Hef himself has made the fist step in approaching Downey giving him approval for the role. Downey likes the idea but wont commit without a script or director attached.

No one said he WOULD do the role, just that Hef gave his nod, and Downey was very interested in it. What happens next is still up in the air.