Indio Downey, son of Hollywood actor Robert Downey Jr., is set to play the lead role in the upcoming independent film Love in Vein, according to Deadline reporting published on October 27. The Indio Downey lead role marks his first time headlining a movie, and the project deals with addiction, love and self-destruction.
Written and directed by Will De Los Santos, the film is based on the late Ryan Leone’s novel Wasting Talent. The story follows Damien, played by Indio, as he deals with addiction, relationships and the struggles of life in Los Angeles.
A Story With Personal Weight
Director Will De Los Santos has said he wanted to stay true to the original novel and its subject matter, and that the author’s death has given the project a deeper meaning. Leone’s novel drew on his own experiences, and the adaptation is being positioned as an unflinching look at addiction rather than a glamorized one.
The film will be produced by Muse Productions in association with ArtHouse Gooning. Chris Hanley, known for producing American Psycho, Spring Breakers and The Virgin Suicides, will produce alongside Orson Oblowitz, Tricia van Klaveren and Ben D. Wallace, with Jeffrey Gliwa financing through Blue Shark Pictures and serving as executive producer.
Shooting Starts in Spring 2027
Shooting is scheduled to take place in Los Angeles in March and April 2027, with casting for other roles currently underway. The Los Angeles setting is central to the story, which follows Damien through the city’s creative and recovery worlds.
Indio Downey has previously appeared in smaller roles, but Love in Vein represents a significant step up. Leading an independent drama built around addiction is a demanding first headline assignment, and the project’s literary source and experienced producing team suggest it is aiming for festival attention rather than a commercial play.
Why This Casting Matters
Casting announcements for independent films rarely break through, but the Downey name guarantees attention, and the subject matter gives the project a seriousness that could attract further names as casting continues. For Indio, the role is a chance to establish an identity separate from his father’s towering career, in a film that asks its lead to carry difficult, personal material.
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