Comic-Con: Randy’s giant doughnut stars in upcoming blockbuster films

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To Angelenos, the distinctive doughnut is part of the city’s charming urban scenery. To theatergoers, it will be larger than life. The giant doughnut that is the emblem of Randy’s Donuts, constructed in 1952, will make appearances in two upcoming blockbuster movies rolling out in 2010.

In ‘Iron Man 2,’ the doughnut serves as a couch for Robert Downey Jr., who plays Tony Stark as Iron Man, chewing on a sugary one. In the next cut of the scene, Samuel Jackson peers up at Downey and says, ‘Sir, I’m going to have to ask you to exit the doughnut.’

In ‘2012,’ a digital replica of Randy’s doughnut becomes unhinged. The apocalyptic film was directed by the ‘master of disaster,’ Roland Emmerich. As John Cusack’s character tries to escape the destruction of Los Angeles in a black limo, viewers are treated to a scene in which the big doughnut breaks away from its moorings (free at last!) and starts bouncing and rolling down the street, barely missing Cusack’s car.

Although these will be big moments for the 32-foot doughnut, it has had cameos elsewhere too. It’s been in several music videos, including one by Snoop Dogg and another by the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

-- Alex Pham

Follow my random thoughts on games, gear and technology on Twitter @AlexPham.