It looks like Robert Downey Jr. may be cultivating a mini-career of playing journalists. First it was Zodiac, and now Variety is reporting that Downey will join the cast of The Soloist, playing a reporter who discovers a homeless violin virtuoso, played by Jamie Foxx.

Downey will play L.A. Times columnist Steve Lopez, who finds Nathaniel Ayers (Foxx), a homeless man whose schizophrenia derailed his music career. After Lopez writes a column about Ayers, the two become close friends. Charlotte's Web screenwriter Susannah Grant penned the script, based upon Lopez' column and books. Shooting is slated to begin in January.

Downey has a lot on his plate these days; He stars as the titular hero in Jon Favreau's Iron Man, and is also in the cast of Ben Stiller's ensemble comedy Tropic Thunder.