Tony Stark and Pepper Potts Still the Core of 'Iron Man 2'

from: http://www.aceshowbiz.com/news/view/00028019.html

Director Jon Favreau opens up about the primary relationship in the 'Iron Man' sequel, in addition to sharing about War Machine.

While "Iron Man 2" has been said to pick up Tony Stark's love triangle story, the superhero movie will still primarily focus on the relationship between the man in iron armor and Pepper Potts. During the "Couples Retreat" press junket in Bora Bora, director Jon Favreau laid bare Tony's love life in this "Iron Man" sequel to MTV.

"I think the central relationship is still those two characters," the 42-year-old opened up. "It's still Pepper and Tony." He then continued to explain the part female fatale Natasha Romanoff has in the film. "We introduce Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow and she has a dual identity," he said, "so that ends up affecting both the superhero side of things and the personal side of things - as I think all good superhero plotlines do."

As for the inclusion of War Machine, Favreau had this to say, "Then we have Don Cheadle. We've upped Rhodey's significance in the film and now I think the cat's out of the bag about War Machine, so he's in that suit. How does he become War Machine? What's his relationship to Iron Man?"

Scripted by "Tropic Thunder" co-scribbler Justin Theroux, "Iron Man 2" sees the return of Robert Downey Jr. and Gwyneth Paltrow as Tony Stark and Pepper Potts. Additionally, it has Mickey Rourke, Samuel L. Jackson and Sam Rockwell among the star-studded cast ensemble. Paramount Pictures eyes to distribute this actioner in theaters across the U.S. on May 7, 2010.

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New Iron Man picture

Source: Entertainment Weekly


Entertainment Weekly has debuted this new photo of Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark/Iron Man in a scene from Iron Man 2 in which he talks to Samuel L. Jackson's Nick Fury.

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Studio's plan a real Marvel

http://www.edmontonsun.com/entertainment/movies/2009/08/23/10570746-sun.html by Kevin Williamson

SAN DIEGO -- Marvel's master plan for world domination would do Dr. Doom proud.

After years of licensing their characters to Hollywood studios -- Spider-Man to Sony, X-Men, Daredevil, Silver Surfer and Fantastic Four to Fox -- Marvel seized control of its own cinematic fortunes with 2008's Iron Man.

Now bolstered by that movie's $585-million worldwide windfall, the fledgling studio is plotting to bring much of the remaining Marvel universe to multiplexes.

Next May's Iron Man 2, with Robert Downey Jr. and Mickey Rourke, has wrapped.

Director Kenneth Branagh is prepping the lavish fantasy Thor, which will star Chris Hemsworth (best known for playing Capt. Kirk's doomed father in Star Trek) as the hammer-wielding god of thunder. It's due out May 2011. And director Joe Johnston (Jurassic Park 3) will helm The First Avenger: Captain America for a July 2011 debut.
From: http://www.edmontonsun.com/entertainment/movies/2009/08/23/10570746-sun.html

"The origin of Captain America (during the Second World War) is the origin of the Marvel universe," explains Kevin Feige, president of production at Marvel Studios. "It's about that time in Marvel history when the idea of the superhero began to emerge."

Who will play Captain America in the film that's been described in some circles as "Raiders of the Lost Ark meets The Rocketeer meets Saving Private Ryan?"

Feige says a casting announcement could come by the end of the year.

It's no small decision since in May 2012 Marvel will release The Avengers, a massive cross-over set to team Iron Man, Thor and Captain America alongside Samuel L. Jackson's Nick Fury, Don Cheadle's War Machine, Scarlett Johansson's Black Widow and possibly Edward Norton's Hulk. If you want a window into the scope of Marvel's ambitions, consider this: Jackson is signed to a nine-picture deal.

And beyond The Avengers, there are plans to launch such lesser-known second-stringers as Antman (Shaun of the Dead creator Edgar Wright has long been attached), Iron Fist, Black Panther, Vision, Nighthawk, Doctor Strange into A-list movie stardom. Worked for Tony Stark, didn't it?

But is it too much, too soon? No, says Jon Favreau, director of Iron Man and its sequel.

"Marvel is doing it the right way. They're not rushing it. If Thor turns out well and Cap turns out, well, then I think you can have a killer Avengers movie."

Favreau has long been viewed as the obvious candidate to direct The Avengers, but when asked about it, he is noncommittal.

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MovieCon on Iron Man 2

from: http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=25582 by Helen O'Hara

Movie-Con II: Iron Man 2
Oh boy oh boy: it's coming this way

Here's a Friday afternoon treat and a half: we can now confirm that hot-off-the-camera footage from Iron Man 2 will be screening at this weekend's Movie-Con II. Yes, Tony Stark and colleagues will be shooting up the screen in next year's most anticipated sequel.

As you'd expect, the stakes are even higher this time around. The US government is trying to force Stark (Robert Downey Jr) to hand over his Iron Man technology, driving a rift between Stark and best bud Rhodesy (Don Cheadle). And then there's the mysterious Natasha (Scarlett Johansson), the possibly-crazy Ivan Vanko (Mickey Rourke) and rival billionaire Justin Hammer (Sam Rockwell).

In other words, prepare for a whole heap more of what we loved about the first one, and a whole heap of new problems and bad guys to contend with. Iron Man 2 isn't out until next May, so Movie-Con II attendees will be among the first people in the world to see these mouthwatering snippets of what director Jon Favreau has planned for us. Roll on the weekend!

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Cool Entertainment Weekly Iron Man 2 Cover

Very Cool Cover - the 2 villains in the back and the main man on front.



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Mickey Rourke is Whiplash

The first look of Whiplash played by veteran actor Mickey Rourke


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Iron Man 2 Cast

from: wikipedia.com

Robert Downey, Jr. as Anthony "Tony" Stark / Iron Man.

Gwyneth Paltrow as Virginia "Pepper" Potts.

Don Cheadle as Lt. Colonel James "Rhodey" Rhodes / War Machine: Cheadle is replacing Terrence Howard from the first film. Howard said, "There was no explanation [...] apparently the contracts that we write and sign aren't worth the paper that they're printed on, sometimes. Promises aren't kept, and good faith negotiations aren't always held up."Entertainment Weekly stated Favreau had not enjoyed working with Howard, often reshooting and cutting his scenes; Howard's publicist said he had a good experience playing the part, while Marvel chose not to comment. As Favreau and Theroux chose to minimize the role, Marvel came to Howard to discuss lowering his salary – Howard was the first actor hired in Iron Man and earned the largest salary of the cast. The publication stated they were unsure whether Howard's representatives left the project first or if Marvel chose to stop negotiating. Theroux denied the part of the report stating "the role of War Machine was scaled back and then beefed up".Cheadle only had a few hours to accept the role and did not even know what storyline Rhodes would undergo. He commented he is a comic book fan, but felt there are not enough black superheroes.

Mickey Rourke as Ivan Vanko / Whiplash: This version of the character also includes elements of Crimson Dynamo from the comics (notably the name, which is the name of the creator of Crimson Dynamo's armor). Downey offered Rourke the part during a roundtable discussion with David Ansen at the 2009 Golden Globes, and Rourke met with Favreau and Theroux to discuss his character's role. Rourke almost dropped out of the role due to Marvel's initial salary offer of $250,000, so the studio chose to increase the deal. Rourke researched for the part by visiting Butyrka prison. He suggested half of the character's dialogue be in Russian.

Sam Rockwell as Justin Hammer: Rockwell was considered for the role of Tony Stark in the first film, and he accepted the role of Hammer without reading the script. He had never heard of the character before he was contacted about the part, and was unaware Hammer is an old man in the comics, whereas in the film he will be around Stark's age.

Scarlett Johansson as Natasha Romanoff / Black Widow: A spy undercover as Stark's assistant. Johansson was cast after a scheduling conflict forced Emily Blunt to drop out of the part.

Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury: Jackson initially had financial problems with Marvel and was unsure about reprising the part of Fury, until they reached a deal that would entail his appearance in nine films as the character.

Jon Favreau as Happy Hogan: Tony Stark's bodyguard and chauffeur.

John Slattery as Howard Stark, Tony's father.

Garry Shandling appears as a senator who wants Stark to give Iron Man's armor to the government. Paul Bettany will again voice Stark's computer, JARVIS. Clark Gregg will reprise his role as S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent Phil Coulson from the first film. Kate Mara has an unspecified part. Olivia Munn has also landed an unspecified role in the film. Stan Lee will appear in a cameo as talk show host, Larry King.

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