The movie star looks unrecognizable while filming his new HBO series – but can you guess who it is?

A big movie star was worlds away from his usual good looks this week on the set of new HBO TV series The Sympathizer.

The 57-year-old leading man has flaunted his movie-star looks in Marvel films, but for his latest role, he’s practically unrecognizable as he wears a red wig with a receding hairline.

But can you guess who it is?

Unrecognizable: A big-time movie star looked a world away from his usual good looks on the set of new HBO TV series ‘The Sympathizer’ this week

It’s Robert Downey Jr.

The actor was spotted wearing a curly red wig with his hairline receding months after he shaved his head to make room for the wigs.

He wore a white t-shirt under a pink button-down shirt and a maroon coat as he walked the set.

The Iron Man star completed his look with blue trousers and brown dress shoes for the day on set.

In November, it was reported that Downey Jr. “will play several supporting roles as the main antagonist in The Sympathizer, each representing a different arm of the American establishment,” with the actor confirming in a December interview that he was “literally acting.” five different roles.’

Iron Man: Robert Downey Jr, 57, has showcased his movie star looks in Marvel movies, but he’s practically unrecognizable for his latest role

Robert’s appearance: The actor was spotted wearing a curly red wig with his hairline receding months after he shaved his head to make room for the wigs

The project was first announced in July 2021, when Downey Jr. signed on as the lead actor and executive producer of the project, based on Vietnamese-American professor Viet Thanh Nguyen’s 2015 debut novel.

The series follows a character known simply as The Captain (Hoa Xuande), a half-French, half-Vietnamese spy who finds himself in exile in Los Angeles in the final days of the Vietnam War.

Described as “a man with two minds and two identities, the Captain is caught between conflicting loyalties, conflicting desires and is ultimately forced to confront what it means to sympathize.”

New Role: The project was first announced in July 2021, when Downey Jr. was signed as the lead actor and executive producer of the project, based on the 2015 debut novel by Vietnamese-American professor Viet Thanh Nguyen

Downey will portray the main antagonists, all of whom represent the “American establishment,” including “an up-and-coming Orange County congressman, a CIA agent and a Hollywood film director,” according to the original July 2021 report.

The cast also includes Fred Nguyen Khan as Bon, the Captain’s childhood friend, Toan Le as The General, the larger-than-life former leader of the South Vietnamese secret police, Vy Le as Lana, the General’s rebellious daughter, and Alan Trong as Sonny, the idealistic former classmate of the Captain and now editor of a Vietnamese-language newspaper in Los Angeles.

Sandra Oh also plays Ms. Sofia Mori, described as “a liberated feminist caught in the midst of a love triangle,” Kieu Chinh as the Major’s mother, and Nguyen Cao Ky Duyen as Madame, “the general’s wife and elegant and authoritative matriarch.” ‘

Antagonist: Downey will portray the main antagonists, all representing the “American establishment,” including “an up-and-coming Orange County congressman, a CIA agent and a Hollywood film director,” according to the original July 2021 report

Downey will executive produce with his wife, Susan Downey, while Chan-wook Park (Oldboy) will create the series while serving as showrunner and director.

While Downey has had small film roles in the past, including Ally McBeal, this will mark his first major TV starring role in his illustrious career.

He’s also starring in the upcoming All-Star Weekend directed by Jamie Foxx, although there’s no release date yet.

Producers: Downey will executive produce with his wife Susan Downey, with Chan-wook Park (Oldboy) creating the series while serving as showrunner and director