The Judge, starring Robert Downey Jr., to open this year's TIFF

Director David Dobkin's thriller stars Robert Downey Jr. as a big city lawyer who returns to his hometown where his estranged father, the town judge, is suspected of murder.

The Judge, starring Robert Downey Jr. and Robert Duvall, will open this year’s Toronto International Film Festival in September.

The drama centres around a big city lawyer (Downey Jr.) who returns to his hometown where his estranged father (Duvall), the town’s judge, is suspected of murder. Directed by David Dobkin, the film’s impressive cast also includes Vera Farmiga, Vincent D’Onofrio, and Billy Bob Thornton.

“The stars aligned and we are thrilled to announce that we will kick off the festival with The Judge,” said TIFF Director Piers Handling. “David Dobkin has delivered a moving, textured story about family, duty and the way we remember our past. We couldn’t have asked for a better start to this year’s event.”

The Judge was first revealed as part of this year’s TIFF lineup last week — on Monday it was revealed to have won the coveted opening night slot.

“I brought my first film, Clay Pigeons, to Toronto, so 15 years later to actually be on opening night with The Judge is incredibly special and thrilling,” Dobkin stated. “The festival audiences are terrific, and I know I speak for everyone involved in the film when I say we are so pleased to be unveiling it there.”

For the complete list of films announced so far, click here.

TIFF 2014 runs from September 4-14, 2014.

Stay tuned to Cityline.ca for more TIFF14 coverage! You’ll find it at www.cityline.ca/tiff2014. And don’t miss our partner coverage on CityNews.ca and www.bttoronto.ca.