Indio Downey, the eldest son of Academy Award-winning actor Robert Downey Jr., has been cast in his first leading film role. The 33-year-old musician and actor will star in the independent feature “Love In Vein,” a production that delves into the visceral and often harrowing world of addiction and recovery within the Los Angeles underground.
Downey is set to portray the central character, Damien, in a story adapted from the novel “Wasting Talent” by the late author Ryan Leone. The film is being written and directed by Will De Los Santos, who is best known for his work on the 2002 cult classic “Spun,” which also explored the subculture of drug use. The upcoming project is described as an uncompromising look at a fragile collision of music, drugs, and human relationships, set against a landscape of self-destruction and survival.
According to the production details, “Love In Vein” follows Damien as he navigates a complex web of dependency and desire. The narrative is expected to maintain the raw, unvarnished tone of Leone’s original work. De Los Santos expressed a personal commitment to the project, noting the added weight of the production following Leone’s death. The director stated his intention to honor the author’s voice and preserve the “rawness” of the book without softening its edges for a cinematic audience.
The project marks a significant career milestone for Indio Downey, whose previous film appearances have been limited to small, fleeting roles. Most notably, he appeared in the 2005 film “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang,” which starred his father. Beyond his acting pursuits, the younger Downey has primarily focused on his career as a musician.
The casting brings a notable historical symmetry to the production team. Chris Hanley, an established producer whose credits include “American Psycho,” “Spring Breakers,” and “The Virgin Suicides,” is producing the film. Hanley’s involvement represents a reunion of sorts with the Downey family, as he previously produced the 1997 film “Two Girls and a Guy,” which featured Robert Downey Jr. Hanley described the opportunity to work with Indio as a “full-circle moment,” praising the actor for bringing a necessary vulnerability and authenticity to the role of Damien.
The production is being managed by Muse Productions in association with ArtHouse Gooning. Alongside Hanley, the producing team includes Orson Oblowitz, Tricia van Klaveren, and Ben D. Wallace. Financial backing for the indie feature is being provided by Jeffrey Gliwa through Blue Shark Pictures, with Gliwa also serving as an executive producer.
Principal photography for “Love In Vein” is currently scheduled to begin in Los Angeles in March and April 2027. While Downey has been confirmed for the lead, additional casting for the film’s supporting roles is currently underway.
The film’s themes of addiction and redemption mirror the well-documented personal history of Indio’s father. Robert Downey Jr. famously overcame his own highly publicized struggles with substance abuse in the 1990s and early 2000s before revitalizing his career to become one of the industry’s most successful figures. This thematic overlap adds a layer of contemporary relevance to the production as it prepares to enter the filming phase in Southern California.
