'Iron Man 2' takes flight at Comic-Con

“It all started here,” director Jon Favreau told the packed house during Saturday’s “Iron Man 2” session at Comic-Con International. “Nobody cared before you guys did.”

It was just two years ago that “Iron Man” descended on the San Diego Convention Center and went on to make a staggering $318 million in the U.S. (and nearly $600 million worldwide) for a film about industrialist playboy-turned-fully armed superhero Tony Stark -- previously one of Marvel’s lesser-known crime fighters.

Anticipation for the sequel’s panel was so high that even Marvel executives and studio guests had a tough time getting in -- and some didn’t.

Though Favreau said production on "Iron Man 2" wrapped just a week and a half ago, the director brought five minutes of footage from the film, which -- if the reaction from the extra-packed Hall H is any indication -- could top the first. Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) is working alone at the outset of the sequel. He rejects another offer to join forces with the group of heroes being assembled by Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) and is being ordered by the government to turn in his super-powered suit, which has been branded too dangerous a weapon.

The special preview also introduced the new cast members Garry Shandling as the senator demanding Stark’s suit, Don Cheadle as Jim Rhodes (War Machine), Mickey Rourke as bad guy Ivan Vanko (a.k.a. Whiplash), Scarlett Johannson as Natasha Romanoff (aka Black Widow) and Sam Rockwell as arms merchant Justin Hammer.

Cheadle’s replacement of actor Terrence Howard, who played Rhodes in the first movie,  is dealt with quickly during an introductory exchange between Stark and Rhodes: "It's me. I'm here. Deal with it. Let's move on," Rhodes says. (Howard reportedly exited the sequel after a salary dispute.)

Later, during the Q&A portion of the panel, Cheadle was asked if his performance was informed by Howard’s. The actor said he stuck to what the script dictated, “but I will say, being the vampire that I am, I siphoned off everything I could from Terrence's performance and then modernized it for 2009."

The audience also got its first look at Whiplash’s electrically charged whips and Cheadle donning his own high-tech get-up as War Machine.

"I can't believe your rig was heavier than my rig," Downey joked.

"It was a contractual thing," Cheadle replied.

When asked by a fan what she did to get the part of Black Widow, Johansson said, “I did a couple of knee bends, some lunges -- that came out wrong.” Downey jumped in, addressing the fan, “Did you bump your head? Her audition was her body of work.” Favreau said he liked that Johanssen showed up to their initial meeting having already dyed her hair red for the job. To prepare for the physical nature of the role itself, the actress said she trained in mixed-martial arts and ate a “a lot of egg-white omelets.”

Rourke wasn’t able to attend the panel, but in his absence, his co-stars talked up his commitment to the film. Favreau revealed that, to get into character, Rourke spent some quality time in a Russian prison.

“And I thought I was eccentric,” Downey said. “He’s something else.”

“You know, after perestroika, the first film to arrive in Russia was '9 1/2 Weeks,' " Favreau said. “Mickey’s a sex god in Russia.”  

As for the planned movie "The Avengers," a film that would team up a smorgasbord of Marvel heroes including Iron Man, one fan asked Favreau point-blank: Are you going to direct that film?

"I still have another year on ['Iron Man 2'] to go and they're getting ready to make 'Thor' with Kenneth Branagh directing," Favreau said. "'Avengers' doesn't shoot until we're done with 'Iron Man 2...Hopefully the movies will continue to cross-pollinate with each other and be involved with each other."

How's that for a non-answer?

“Iron Man” is set for a May 2010 release.

-- Denise Martin

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Photo: Robert Downey Jr., left, and Jon Favreau pump up the crowd at Comic-Con during Saturday's "Iron Man 2" panel. Credit: Getty Images

Marvel movies update: 'Avengers' delayed -- will Jon Favreau direct?

There's ongoing speculation that Jon Favreau might direct the "Avengers" film and perhaps a "Fantastic Four" reboot as well. The same rumor roundup story, over at Ain't It Cool, says that Alexander Skarsgard ("True Blood") is a candidate to wield the hammer of Thor and that Josh Harnett is a contender for the role of the mendacious Loki.

For more on Marvel, here's an AP story that came over yesterday...

Fans of "The Avengers" will have to wait a little longer to see their favorite superheroes on the big screen. Marvel Entertainment Inc. said Thursday that it will debut the flick on May 4, 2012, nearly a year after its previous launch date of July 15, 2011.

"The Avengers," which features a team of comic book characters, will be the culmination of a series of movies based on individual Marvel characters that will be released leading up to it.

"Iron Man 2" will launch on May 7, 2010, as scheduled. It will be followed by "Thor" on June 17, 2011, instead of its previously planned release date of July 16, 2010. "The First Avenger: Captain America" is now coming out on July 22, 2011, instead of May 6, 2011.

Separately, Marvel confirmed that "Spider-Man 4" from Sony Pictures Entertainment is slated to hit theaters on May 6, 2011.

So I have this theory that Arnold Schwarzenegger would be great as Odin in the "Thor" movie. That's nutty, right?

--Geoff Boucher

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Mickey Rourke for 'Iron Man 2,' 'Twilight' and The Force all in Everyday Hero headlines

MICKEY ROURKE IN "IRON MAN 2"?: In a testimony to the benefits of clean, good living, Mickey Rourke may join Robert Downey Jr. in the armor-plated 2010 blockbuster "Iron Man 2." At least that's the rumor that Michael Fleming is floating in the trades, a tidbit timed to land right before the Golden Globes this weekend, where Rourke might put a headlock on the best actor trophy after his career-reviving turn in "The Wrestler." Even if the casting decision is a myth, it's a fact for the next few days and will be repeated a million times. Here's what Fleming writes: "In what would mark his first studio film since resurrecting his career with 'The Wrestler,' Mickey Rourke is in talks to play the heavy in 'Iron Man 2,' the Marvel Entertainment sequel that director Jon Favreau begins shooting this spring. Rourke is in discussions to play a villain described as Tony Stark's Russian alter ego, a heavily tattooed bruiser who is in the arms trade and battles Iron Man in his own nuclear-powered armored suit. The script -- which is still being written -- is a guarded secret, but speculation is that villain is likely comic-book nemesis Crimson Dynamo." (NOTE: I think we should assume that when Fleming wrote "alter ego" he actually meant "counterpart," but he works hard so let's all let it slide.) [Variety]

GEORGE LUCAS PERFECTS MIND CONTROL: In a startling development, George Lucas has apparently figured out a way to harness The Force in everyday settings, a development that may signal the end of the world's energy crisis. But first, of course, Lucas is using the breakthrough to make an expensive toy. Mike Snider has the story: "The Force Trainer (expected to be priced at $90 to $100) comes with a headset that uses brain waves to allow players to manipulate a sphere within a clear 10-inch-tall training tower, analogous to Yoda and Luke Skywalker's abilities in the 'Star Wars' films. No, you're not tapping into some 'all-powerful force controlling everything,' as Han Solo said in the movies. But you are reaching out with mind power via one of the first mass-market brain-to-computer products. 'It's been a fantasy everyone has had, using The Force,' says Howard Roffman, president of Lucas Licensing.  Mind-control games may be the coming thing: Mattel plans to demonstrate a Mind Flex game (also due this fall), which uses brain-wave activity to move a ball through a tabletop obstacle course, at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas on Thursday. In the Force Trainer, a wireless headset reads your brain activity, in a simplified version of EEG medical tests, and the circuitry translates it to physical action. If you focus well enough, the training sphere, which looks like a ping-pong ball, will rise in the tower." [USA Today]

HUNGRY LIKE THE WOLF: (UPDATED) Congrats to Taylor Lautner (who will forever be Shark Boy to me). He had been angling to stay aboard the "Twilight" box-office express by reprising his role as Jacob Black in the second film, "New Moon," but there was some doubt because of a rather hairy situation -- the baby-faced Jacob of the first movie becomes big-scary-werewolf Jacob in the second film. But "Twilight" author Stephenie Meyer posted this announcement today quoting "New Moon" director Chris Weitz saying that Lautner, who has bulked up for the role, will indeed be back: "I'm very happy to announce that Taylor Lautner will be playing Jacob Black in 'New Moon' and that he's doing so with the enthusiastic support of Summit Entertainment, the producers, and Stephenie Meyer. The characters in Stephenie's books go through extraordinary changes of circumstance and also appearance; so it is not surprising that there has been speculation about whether the same actor would portray a character who changes in so many surprising ways throughout the series. But it was my first instinct that Taylor was, is, and should be Jacob, and that the books would be best served by the actor who is emotionally right for the part. I think that fans of Twilight the book and the movie will be surprised by the Jacob Black that Taylor will bring to the screen in New Moon; and I'm looking forward to working with him and the rest of the cast in realizing the film." [Stephenie Meyer's website]

THE ECONOMY IS MY FOE!: I buy many of my comics (and a lot of my son's "Star Wars" toys) at Amazing Comics in Long Beach and I was distressed when, on a recent visit, I found the huge store had been reduced to half its previous size and learned that its stock of back issues is now in storage. I didn't get a chance to talk to the owner but I assume that's not a positive sign of the store's health. Then I read this story by business journalist Muhammed El-Hasan about another Southern California store: "Not even Superman could rescue Third Planet Comics & Games from this recession. The popular Torrance comic book and gaming store at 3631 Pacific Coast Highway will shut its doors Monday after about 13 years in business. 'The deciding factor in this decision is that sales have fallen to a level where we can no longer meet our obligations,' owner Robert North wrote to customers in an e-mail the day after Christmas. In the message, North said his employees 'fought valiantly over this past year' to keep the shop in business." [The Daily Breeze] (Sad stuff. Are you folks hearing about similar situations out there?)

CLINT EASTWOOD, MY FAVORITE: OK, he's never played a superhero and I guess the closest he ever came to making a sci-fi movie was (gulp) "Firefox," but anybody who loves movies has to love Clint Eastwood. And even though we journalists must forever keep our impartiality about the people we write about, I have to say he might be my all-time favorite person to interview. In today's Los Angeles Times, we have a special issue of The Envelope on the Golden Globes this Sunday and I'm happy to say I wrote the cover story, an interview with Eastwood about his great new film, "Gran Torino," and if you have a moment to read it, I think you might enjoy it. I also did a big story with Eastwood on the enduring impact of the "Dirty Harry" films and the misunderstood legacy of the first film, if (like me) you can't get enough when it comes to the most thoughtful tough guy in Hollywood history.

ON THIS DATE: Oh, what a golden day it was in Honolulu on this day in 1950 when Erin Gray was born. The vivacious actress was perfect as the strong, smart and brave Col. Wilma Deering on "Buck Rogers in the 25th Century" and, sorry Lynda Carter, she replaced a certain star-spangled amazon as my childhood ideal of heroic womanhood. Oh, if only she had been given a chance to play Lois Lane! To celebrate her 59th birthday today, let's all watch out for space vampires. (To see some video of Erin Gray as Wilma Deering and during a Hero Complex interview this past summer, keep reading to the bottom of this post)

'X-Men' stage reunion, 'Iron Man' gossip, Steven Spielberg's 'Tintin' and 'Goosebumps' in Everyday Hero headlines

Today's handpicked headlines from the fanboy universe...

"Waiting for Godot," mutant-style? Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen, who so memorably led the opposing forces of mutantkind in the "X-Men" films, will reunite on stage next year in a new production of Samuel Beckett's 1952 masterpiece which, by many appraisals, ranks as the most important English-language play of 20th century. The BBC has the story: "The production, which will be directed by Sean Mathias, will tour the UK before opening in London in April at the Theatre Royal Haymarket. Stewart will play the tramp Vladimir, while Sir Ian will play Estragon. The actors previously played comic book adversaries Professor X and Magneto in the three films in the 'X-Men' series. The pair first worked together at the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1977 in Tom Stoppard's 'Every Good Boy Deserves Favour.' Stewart is currently playing Claudius and the Ghost in the RSC's Stratford-upon-Avon production of 'Hamlet,' which transfers to the West End later this year.  McKellen -- also known for his role as Gandalf in the 'Lord of the Rings' films -- made his last stage appearance in the RSC's acclaimed staging of 'King Lear.' The actor said he 'couldn't be happier...there are no more juicy parts amongst modern classics than Didi and Gogo,' he wrote on his official website." [BBC]

Howard's End: What's the real explaination behind the bouncing of Terrence Howard from the "Iron Man" franchise? Everyone at Marvel Studios and in Jon Favreau's camp has been tight-lipped about the real reasons for Howard's indelicate exit from the cast, but now Nicole Sperling has a report that sounds pretty plausible (but with no sources named): "Hollywood insiders believe the exit stems from Terrence Howard's difficult behavior on the set of 'Iron Man'. But those with intimate knowledge of the situation suggest a far more dramatic backstory: Howard was the first actor signed to the film and, on top of that, was the highest-paid. That's right, more than Gwyneth Paltrow. More than Jeff Bridges. More than Robert Downey Jr. And once the project fully came together, it was too late to renegotiate his deal. It didn't help that, according to one source, Favreau and his producers were ultimately unhappy with Howard's performance and spent a lot of time cutting and reshooting his scenes ... As such, when Favreau and screenwriter Justin Theroux went to map out the sequel they found themselves minimizing Howard's story line. Once Marvel learned that Favreau was thinking of curtailing the role, the studio went to the actor's agents with a new and drastically reduced offer..." [Entertainment Weekly]

Recycling "Tintin": Filmmaker Steven Spielberg has been flirting with a "Tintin" film adaptation for 25 years now but after plenty of fits and starts, it may finally be moving foward. Anne Thompson has a thorough report on the business twists, including news that Sony Pictures and Paramount Pictures are now in talks to co-finance the digital 3-D version of the classic Belgian comics hero. The plan is for Spielberg to direct one film while "Lord of the Rings" autuer Peter Jackson will direct the second one. Thompson writes: "Spielberg had hoped to be in production by this fall. However, when financing fell apart at Universal on the eve of DreamWorks/Paramount divorce, he lost the participation of his lead actor Thomas Sangster. Nonetheless, 'Tintin' is expected to be complete in time for a 2010 release. Jackson will direct the sequel ... Spielberg and Jackson were originally teaming to direct and produce three back-to-back features based on Georges Remi's beloved comic-strip hero 'Tintin.' Spielberg and Jackson selected three stories from Remi's 'The Adventures of Tintin' series, which encompassed 23 books published between 1929 and 1976 about an intrepid junior reporter and his dog, Snowy, who track down stories to the ends of the earth." [Variety]

"Goosebumps," feeling it again? There were massive lines waiting for the autograph of R.L. Stine at the National Book Festival in Washington, D.C., and Lynn Neary reports that there are high hopes for a revival of the 1990s fan-passion for the author's "Goosebumps" brand-name: 'The author thinks kids are reading more than ever now and his publisher, Scholastic, certainly hopes he's right. Scholastic also published the Harry Potter series, and with no new Potter book in sight, revenues are down sharply and the company is cutting back. Scholastic hopes that magic will strike again with Stine's new Goosebumps HorrorLand series. As for Stine, he's just happy to be doing what he loves -- and what his fans want. 'It's very exciting for me to be back doing it. ... Somehow the Goosebumps audience never really went away. ... It was a world-wide craze, and that can never last. But the books have sold all this time even when there were no new ones coming out,' says Stine. 'I'm just very lucky.' [National Public Radio]

-- Geoff Boucher

It's official: Robert Downey Jr. will suit up for 'The Avengers,' Jon Favreau on board as an executive producer

 

Marvel Studios announced Tuesday that the "Iron Man" tandem of star Robert Downey Jr. and filmmaker Jon Favreau will assemble for the "Avengers" film, although the role announced for Favreau is that of executive producer, not director.

It's no surprise that Downey will reprise his role for the "Avengers "movie, but the official word is part of the ongoing campaign to stir excitement for the first major motion picture that will bring together superheroes from separate franchises. You can see all of this leading up to some future Comic-Con International panel that will have Downey sitting next to at least two other Oscar-nominated actors: Edward Norton, who played the Hulk this summer and is, by all appearances, on board for more action, as well as Don Cheadle, who will pick up the role of Col. James 'Rhodey' Rhodes in the "Iron Man" franchise. The Marvel announcement today made his addition to the cast official and made a point to announce that he would be in the "Avengers" film as well.

It's not clear yet who will be playing Thor, the Wasp or Ant-Man in the film, the other founding members from the Marvel Comics hero team that began in 1963 in the classic issue shown here on the left. There's also the question of who will play Captain America (the most famous Avenger, but one who didn't show up until issue No. 4 in the comics) in the hero's solo film as well as the Avengers project that will follow it into theaters in 2011, if all goes as planned. No substantive word yet on the director for either the Cap movie or the Avengers project. Favreau, of course, will direct "Iron Man 2," which is slated for 2010.

Live chat with Jon Favreau today at 11am Pacific Time

Hero Complex live chat: Jon Favreau will take your questions here next Wednesday

Here's your chance to get the latest scoop on the "Iron Man" sequel straight from director Jon Favreau or, if you prefer, this is a golden opportunity to spook him with your encyclopedic knowledge of his screen work in "Swingers" and "Rudy."

Either way, the filmmaker who brought you the summer's most fun super-hero movie (as well as the sublime "Elf" and the grieviously underrated "Zathura") will join us here for a live chat on Wednesday (Oct. 1), the day after the release of "Iron Man" on DVD from Paramount Home Entertainment. The chat will start at 11 a.m. local time here in Los Angeles.

If you can't join us Tuesday, feel free to post a question here in the comments section and we'll try to ask some from there as well.

-- Geoff Boucher

April 2008 photo of Jon Favreau by Ringo H. W. Chu\Los Angeles Times

Favreau (kind of) confirms Mandarin in 'Iron Man' sequel(s)

Of course it could all change, and Jon Favreau could throw a twist or two into the film a la Mr. Jackson as Mr. Fury, but MTV's Splash Page says that the director would probably follow up on his "Ten Rings" terrorist cell hint by including the Mandarin in the storyline.  Problem is, he also said that we may not get to see him in the next film as the crime lord plays a Wizard of Oz role pulling strings behind the curtain.  "Iron Man 3" it is, but we really want to see those rings, Jon. We also really want to see War Machine, which was also hinted at during the first movie and has been referenced a few times by the "Swingers" guy.

At the news conference for the release of the "Iron Man" DVD (get it on Sept. 30), it was mentioned by Favreau that current events could play a role in the next or future "Iron Man" installments.  With the Georgia-Russia conflict, maybe we see Crimson Dynamo?  Justin Hammer would also be a good one.

And, if he goes with the alcoholic storyline, it'd be cool to see Ms. Marvel -- who had her own bout with the bottle -- get a quick cameo.  Just sayin' ....

-- Jevon Phillips

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Photo courtesy of Marvel.com

Favreau is at work on 'Iron Man' sequel and a political cause

I just talked to Jon Favreau a bit ago, and he said that while there hasn't been an formal announcement on the sequel to "Iron Man," he's begun developing it. "We're working on it now," he said, "which hasn't been officially announced. It will be released in 2010."

No surprise there, of course. The first film in the franchise has pulled in well over a half-billion dollars in worldwide box office and was met with strong reviews.

Favreau is also busy these days championing a political cause. Here's the top of a story that I have in tomorrow's print edition of The Times.

As the state's budget crisis continues, Sacramento certainly has money on its mind, but it's hardly star-struck when it comes to Hollywood and its problems with runaway production.

Nevertheless, "Iron Man" director Jon Favreau and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger have become unexpected partners in a push to create tax breaks for film and television shows in an effort to keep their production in California, a political cause that has very little traction with state lawmakers and, to the governor's chagrin, even less footing in celebrity fundraising circles.

There's been a 40% decline in the number of film production days shot on location in Los Angeles since 1997, and the stampede east by the makers of high-profile projects is intensifying after New York Gov. David Paterson signed a bill in April delivering a lush new package of incentives.

Favreau is one the nice guys in the industry, and I think he has a lot of credibility. But I also think he will have a hard slog with this cause.

Favreau on 'Iron Man' sequel: 'You'll hear something soon.'

The other night, I went to the Pauley Pavilion at UCLA to watch a tribute to the Who (Pearl Jam, by the way, was amazing) and who should be sitting just a few seats down? Jon Favreau, the director of the summer's sleekest joy ride, "Iron Man." I spent some time on the set and then at Favreau's office in the weeks before the film's release, so the filmmaker stopped in the aisle after the show to chat. I even snapped a picture of him with a fan who handed me his camera. (Knowing that Favreau is a bit weary with strangers who bellow lines from "Swingers" when they meet him, I quietly advised the guy not to shout 'Money!' when the flash went off.)

As we were headed for the exit, I told Favreau that everyone is hoping he and Marvel Studios have sorted out the oddly protracted discussions about the "Iron Man" sequel. After the box-office totals and the reviews praising Favreau, it seemed like Marvel would be jumping at the chance to lock in the director. I get the feeling there was some issue beyond money involved, but I can't back up that theory when any real facts. Anyway, Favreau smiled when I badgered him about the status of the sequel. "You'll hear something soon." He and I then traded a few friendly text messages over the next couple of days, but (at this point) I can't tell you anything beyond that. I can tell you that "Iron Man" fans will be smiling soon too.

After the jump, you can find The Times story I wrote on Favreau back in May. The biggest surprise? How Dungeons & Dragons helped shape him as a filmmaker.

-- Geoff Boucher

Photo by Ringo H.W. Chiu, Los Angeles Times