The Soloist  is based on the true story of Nathaniel Ayers (Jamie Foxx), a musical prodigy who developed schizophrenia during his second year at Juilliard School. Ayers becomes homeless in the streets of downtown Los Angeles, playing the violin and the cello.

The Soloist is a forthcoming American drama film directed by Joe Wright and written by Susannah Grant. The film is based on a true story of Nathaniel Ayers, a musician who becomes schizophrenic and homeless. Jamie Foxx portrays Nathaniel Ayers, who is considered a cello prodigy, and Robert Downey Jr. portrays Steve Lopez, a Los Angeles Times columnist who discovers Ayers and writes about him in the newspaper. Production of the film began in January 2008 and was filmed mostly in Los Angeles, with some scenes shot in Cleveland. The film was scheduled to be released on November 21, 2008, but has been delayed to March 13, 2009, and then to April 24, 2009.