Jump to content

Iron Man (2008 film)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Alientraveller (talk | contribs) at 20:49, 4 May 2008 (→‎Sequel: we need to stick to facts, not jokes). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Iron Man
File:Ironmanposter.JPG
Theatrical Poster
Directed byJon Favreau
Written byScreenplay:
John August
(uncredited)
Mark Fergus
Hawk Ostby
Arthur Marcum
Matthew Hollaway
Comic Book:
Stan Lee
Larry Lieber
Don Heck
Jack Kirby
Produced byAvi Arad
Kevin Feige
StarringRobert Downey Jr.
Terrence Howard
Gwyneth Paltrow
Jeff Bridges
CinematographyMatthew Libatique
Edited byDan Lebental
Music byRamin Djawadi
Distributed byUnited States: Paramount Pictures
Release dates
Global:
April 30 2008
Australia:
May 1 2008
United States:
May 2 2008, with advance screenings on May 1st.
United Kingdom:
May 2 2008
Running time
126 min.
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$135 million[1]

Iron Man is a 2008 superhero film based on the fictional Marvel Comics character Iron Man. Directed by Jon Favreau, the film is about Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.), a billionaire industrialist and master engineer who is captured by terrorists in Afghanistan. Ordered to build a missile for them, Stark uses his resources instead to build a powered exoskeleton to make his escape. Returning to the United States, Stark improves his armor and becomes the technologically advanced superhero Iron Man. Gwyneth Paltrow plays his personal assistant Pepper Potts, Terrence Howard plays jet pilot James Rhodes, and Jeff Bridges plays Obadiah Stane.

The film was in development from 1990 at Universal Studios, 20th Century Fox, and New Line Cinema, before Marvel Studios reacquired the rights in 2006. They put the project in production as their first self-financed film. Favreau signed on as director, aiming for a realistic feel, and he chose to shoot the film primarily in California, rejecting the East Coast setting of the comics to differentiate the film from numerous superhero movies set in New York City-esque environments. During filming, the actors were free to create their own dialogue (an uncommon practice in other big budget films) because pre-production was focused on the story and action. Rubber and metal versions of the armors, created by Stan Winston's company, were mixed with computer-generated imagery to create the title character.

Marvel and Paramount Pictures, the distributor, planned a $50 million marketing campaign for the film, which is modeled on Paramount's successful promotion of Transformers (2007); Hasbro and Sega will sell merchandise, and product placement deals were made with Audi, Burger King and 7-Eleven. Reviews have been overwhelmingly positive, particularly praising Downey's performance. The film's stars have signed on for two sequels, and Downey also cameos as Stark in the upcoming The Incredible Hulk.

Plot

During a business trip to Afghanistan to demonstrate his company's new weapon system, Tony Stark is attacked and kidnapped by a terrorist group called the Ten Rings that order him to build them a version of Stark Industries' "Jericho Missile", an extremely destructive, multi-warhead weapon. While pretending to work on it for three months, he and fellow captive Dr. Yinsen (Shaun Toub) build a crude but strong power armor, powered from a miniature arc reactor. The arc reactor supplies energy to an electromagnet which protects Stark's heart from the embedded shrapnel in his chest. Dr. Yinsen is killed in the ensuing escape attempt when he stalls the guards to buy Stark enough time to charge the suit. Using the built-in weapons and rockets in his suit, Stark kills several terrorists, destroys their stockpile, and launches himself into escape. He is later picked up by the Air Force. Upon returning to the United States, Stark declares that Stark Industries will no longer manufacture weapons, a move which his business partner Obadiah Stane tells him is blocked by the board members shortly after.

During his self-imposed sabbatical from public life, Stark tinkers with the design of his power suit, refining its flight capability, and builds a more powerful and reliable arc reactor, both to power his pacemaker and the suit, and is harassed by an agent claiming to be from an agency which will be later revealed to be SHIELD. During his first public appearance since his kidnapping, he is shown pictures of Stark Industries weapons in the hands of terrorist groups, including the system he refused to build for them. He also discovers that Stane has been "dealing under the table" to both sides in the conflict, as well as being the one to shut Stark out of the board while he recovers. Faced with the realization of what his company has done, Stark dons the power suit and flies to Afghanistan, rescuing Yinsen's village from the Ten Rings. In destroying their weapon stockpiles, he accidentally draws the attention of the United States Air Force and his friend Jim Rhodes, who is an Air Force Colonel.

Determined to make amends for his mistakes, Stark sends his assistant Pepper Potts to find the shipping records of Stark Industries, so he can track down the illicit shipments and destroy them. While hacking into the system she discovers that it was Stane who hired the Ten Rings to kill Stark, but they had reneged on the deal when they realized who the target was. She also discovers that Stane has recovered the power suit prototype (Iron Man Mk I), and has reverse engineered his own version. Stane, upon realizing Pepper's discovery, steals Stark's arc reactor from his chest to power his new suit, leaving Stark for dead. Jim Rhodes rushes to the mansion after Pepper frantically calls him and explains the situation, and finds Tony after he put the old reactor in his chest. After he flies out of the mansion, Jim glances at the Mark II suit and says, "Next time, baby", hinting at his future as War Machine.

Pepper is escorted back to Stark Industries by SHIELD, and they investigate when Stane appears from the shadows in the Iron Monger armor. Just as he's about to kill Pepper, Stark appears and saves her. Using his first reactor, which was not designed to power the suit, Stark does battle with Stane in Los Angeles, first baiting him to the outer atmosphere and freezing the suit(causing Stane to make the same mistake Stark did when he flew too far out of the atmosphere)and defeating him when the larger arc reactor that powers Stark Industries is deliberately overloaded by Pepper.. Stark barely makes it out alive when his reactor almost fails completely, but reactivates. Afterwards, Stark is told by the SHIELD agent to follow the notecards at his press conference concerning the big situation at Stark Industries. Tony begins to contradict himself and after Jim tells him to follow the cards, he begins, and then abandons them, revealing his true identity to the world with the words "I am Iron Man".

After the credits, there is a scene where Tony Stark is berated in his home by Nick Fury portrayed by Samuel L. Jackson, the "Avengers" are mentioned.

Cast

Robert Downey Jr. plays Tony Stark / Iron Man: Favreau had planned to cast a newcomer in the role,[2] but ultimately chose Downey (a fan of the comic)[3] because he felt the actor's past, including cocaine abuse, made him an appropriate choice for the part. "The best and worst moments of Robert's life have been in the public eye," the director explained. "He had to find an inner balance to overcome obstacles that went far beyond his career. That's Tony Stark. Robert brings a depth that goes beyond a comic-book character who is having trouble in high school, or can't get the girl."[3] Favreau also felt Downey could make Stark a "likable asshole", but also depict an authentic emotional journey once he won over the audience.[4]

Downey had an office next to Favreau during pre-production, which allowed him greater involvement in the screenwriting process.[5] He brought a deeper sense of humor to the film not present in previous drafts of the script.[6] He explained, "What I usually hate about these [superhero] movies [is] when suddenly the guy that you were digging turns into Dudley Do-Right, and then you're supposed to buy into all his 'Let's go do some good!' That Eliot Ness-in-a-cape-type thing. What was really important to me was to not have him change so much that he's unrecognizable. When someone used to be a schmuck and they're not anymore, hopefully they still have a sense of humor."[7] To prepare, Downey spent five days a week weight training and practiced martial arts to get into shape,[3] which benefitted him because "it's hard not to have a personality meltdown [...] after about several hours in that suit. I'm calling up every therapeutic moment I can think of to just get through the day."[8]

Terrence Howard plays Lt. Colonel James "Rhodey" Rhodes: A pilot friend of Stark, and the liaison between Stark Industries and the military in the department of acquisitions. Favreau cast Howard because he felt he could play War Machine in a sequel.[9] Howard and his father are Iron Man fans, partly because Rhodes was one of the few black superheroes when he was a child.[10] While Rhodes is roguish in the comics after he met Stark, his earlier disciplinarian character forms a dynamic with Stark, and he is unsure whether Stark's actions are acceptable. "Rhodey is completely disgusted with the way Tony has lived his life, but at a certain point he realizes that perhaps there is a different way," Howard said. "Whose life is the right way; is it the strict military life, or the life of an independent?"[8]

Howard prepared for the role by visiting Nellis Air Force Base on March 16, 2007, where he ate with the pilots and observed HH-60 Pave Hawk rescue helicopters and F-22 Raptors.[11] He was a Downey fan since he saw him in Weird Science, and they competed physically on set: "Robert and his competitive ass almost tore my shoulder trying to keep up with him. Because I'm forty or fifty pounds heavier than him, so I'm in there lifting and I pushed up about 225 and knocked it out ten times. Robert wanted to go about 235, and he did it. So I'm going to push it up to about 245. I took him out running and gave him some nice cramps. He couldn't walk after a couple of days."[12]

Gwyneth Paltrow plays Virginia "Pepper" Potts: Stark's personal secretary and budding love interest. Paltrow asked Marvel to send her any comics that they would consider relevant to her understanding of the character, which she considered to be very smart, very levelheaded, grounded, and she liked "the fact that there's a sexuality that's not blatant." Jon Favreau wanted Potts' and Stark's relationship to be reminiscent of a 1940s comedy, something which Paltrow considered to be fun in a sexy yet innocent way.[13]

Jeff Bridges plays Obadiah Stane: Second-in-command at Stark Industries, who wants control of the company. When Stark declares he'll no longer manufacturer arms, he steals the blueprints for the Mark I armor to create his own, bigger version. Bridges read the comics as a boy and liked Favreau's modern, realistic approach. He shaved his hair and grew a goatee for the role, which was something he had wanted to do for some time. Bridges googled the Book of Obadiah, and he was surprised to learn retribution is a major theme in that particular book of the Bible, something which Stane represents.[14]

Shaun Toub plays Dr. Yinsen: Stark's fellow captive in Afghanistan. He is a scientist who has traveled the world, and aids Stark in creating the Mark I and keeping it a secret from their captors.[14] He also acts as Stark's mentor, showing him humility during their time together, and his death being one of the principal reasons behind Stark's decision to change the direction of his company. In the original version, Yinsen was Chinese, but for the movie, he comes from an Afghan village called Gulmira.

Faran Tahir plays Raza: The terrorist in an alliance with Stane who captures Stark and orders him to create a weapon for his group. Tahir is an Iron Man reader,[14] and wanted to bring humanity to the henchman. "I tried to find ways to show that although he may be the bad guy, there might be a moment or just a hint of vulnerability at times, where he hasn't made the right calculations or there's a certain amount of doubt. Jon was very receptive to that kind of layering."[15]

Paul Bettany voices Jarvis, Stark's personal AI, which assists him in the construction and programming of the Iron Man suit. The name of the character is a reference to the comic book character Edwin Jarvis, Stark's butler. He could also be reference to "Homer" from the Iron Man, which served as Stark's A.I.

Leslie Bibb plays Christine Everhart: A Vanity Fair columnist with whom Stark shares a one-night stand before he leaves for Afghanistan. She reappears twice in the film, suspecting Stark of being Iron Man in the film's ending.

Cameos include Iron Man co-creator Stan Lee (whom Stark mistakes for Hugh Hefner at a party),[16] and director Jon Favreau as Stark's bodyguard/chauffeur Happy Hogan.[6] Ghostface Killah cameoed in a scene where Stark briefly stays in Dubai while returning to Afghanistan, but it was cut for pacing reasons.[17] Hilary Swank reportedly had a cameo in the film,[18] but this was revealed to be part of a disinformation campaign by Favreau designed to keep "website guessers at bay".[19] Audioslave and Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello has a brief cameo as a guard.

Throughout the film, Clark Gregg appears as Agent Phil Coulson of Strategic Homeland Intervention, Engagement and Logistics Division (S.H.I.E.L.D.) trying to arrange a meeting with Stark. Following the credits, Samuel L. Jackson appears as their head, Nick Fury, telling Stark about the "Avenger Initiative".

Production

Development

In April 1990, Universal Studios bought the rights to develop Iron Man for the big screen.[20] Stuart Gordon was to direct Universal's low-budget film.[8] By February 1996, 20th Century Fox acquired the rights from Universal.[21] In January 1997, actor Nicolas Cage expressed interest in being cast for the lead role,[22] and in September 1998, actor Tom Cruise had expressed interest in producing as well as starring in the film debut of Iron Man.[23] Jeff Vintar and Iron Man co-creator Stan Lee co-wrote a story which Vintar adapted into a screenplay. Jeffrey Caine (GoldenEye) rewrote Vintar's script.[24] Director Quentin Tarantino was approached in October 1999 to write and direct Iron Man.[25] With no deal made, Fox eventually sold the rights to New Line Cinema the following December.[26] By July 2000, the film was being written for the studio[27] by Ted Elliott, Terry Rossio,[24] and Tim McCanlies.[28] McCanlies's script used the idea of a Ultimate Nick Fury cameo to set up his own film.[24] New Line entered talks with Joss Whedon, a fan of the character Iron Man, in June 2001 for the possibility of the director taking the helm.[29] In December 2002, McCanlies had turned in a completed script.[30]

"We worked with Michael Crichton's researchers to find a grounded realistic way to deal with the suit. The idea was he needed the suit to stay alive. He’s the same guy we used with Spider-Man 2 to come up with Doc Ock's inhibitor chips and what the arms are made of and how they work. [...] Mandarin was an Indonesian terrorist who masqueraded as a rich playboy who Tony knew."

—Alfred Gough on his draft for Nick Cassavetes's and New Line's aborted version[31]

In December 2004, the studio attached director Nick Cassavetes to the project for a target 2006 release.[32] After two years of unsuccessful development, and the deal with director Cassavetes falling through, New Line Cinema returned the film rights to Marvel. Screenplay drafts had been written by Alfred Gough, Miles Millar and David Hayter, but they were not retained. New Line's script pitted Iron Man against his father, who becomes War Machine.[33] In November 2005, Marvel Studios worked to start development from scratch,[34] and announced it as their first independent feature, as Iron Man was their only major character not depicted in live action.[5]

In April 2006, Jon Favreau became the film's director, with Arthur Marcum and Matt Holloway writing the script.[35] Mark Fergus and Hawk Ostby worked separately, with Favreau compiling both team's scripts,[36] and the script received a polish by John August.[37] Favreau had wanted to work with Marvel producer Avi Arad on another film after the Daredevil adaptation.[5] Favreau celebrated getting the job by going on a diet, and lost seventy pounds.[8] The director found the opportunity to create a politically ambitious "ultimate spy movie" in Iron Man, citing inspiration from Tom Clancy, James Bond and RoboCop.[38] Favreau also described his approach as similar to an independent film, "[i]f Robert Altman had directed Superman",[5] and also cited Batman Begins as an inspiration.[39] He wanted to make Iron Man a story of an adult man literally reinventing himself, and realizing the world is far more complex than he believes.[40] Favreau changed the Vietnam War origin of the character to Afghanistan, as he did not want to do a period piece.[9]

Choosing a villain was difficult, because Favreau felt Iron Man's nemesis the Mandarin would not feel realistic. Only in a sequel would the fantasy of the Mandarin's rings be appropriate, as then they could alter the tone.[41] The decision to push him into the background is comparable to Sauron in The Lord of the Rings,[39] and Palpatine in the original Star Wars film.[41] Favreau wanted Iron Man to face a giant enemy, akin to RoboCop 2.[6] The switch from Mandarin to Obadiah Stane was done after Bridges was cast.[17] Crimson Dynamo was also a villain in early drafts in the script.[6]

Filming

Production was based in the former Hughes Company soundstages in Playa Vista, Los Angeles, California.[42] Favreau rejected the East Coast setting of the comic books as many superhero films were set there, and he wanted to avoid repetition in his film.[9] Hughes was one of the inspirations for the comic book, and the filmmakers acknowledged the coincidence that they would film Iron Man creating the flying Mark III where the Hughes H-4 Hercules "Spruce Goose" was built.[14]

Filming began on March 12 2007,[43] with the first few weeks spent on Stark's captivity in Afghanistan.[44] The cave where Stark is imprisoned was a 150-200 yard (150-200 m) long set, which was built with movable forks in the caverns to allow greater freedom for the film's crew.[9] Production designer J. Michael Riva saw footage of a Taliban fighter in Afghanistan, and saw the cold breath as he spoke: realizing remote caves are actually very cold, Riva placed an air conditioning system in the set. He also sought Downey's advice about make-shift objects in prison, such as a sock being used to make tea. All this created greater authenticity.[14] Afterwards, Stark's capture was filmed at Lone Pine, and other exterior scenes in Afghanistan were filmed at Olancha Sand Dunes. There, the crew had to endure two days of 40 to 60-mile an hour (60 to 100 km/h) winds.[14]

Filming at Edwards Air Force Base began in mid-April,[45] and was completed on May 2.[46] The exterior of Stark's home is digital, but was composited on footage of Point Dume in Malibu.[17] The interior was built at Playa Vista, where Favreau and Riva aimed to make Stark's home look less futuristic and more "grease monkey".[14] Filming concluded on June 25 2007 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada.[47] Favreau, a newcomer to action films, remarked "I'm shocked that I [was] on schedule. I thought that there were going to be many curveballs." He hired "people who are good at creating action", so "the human story [felt] like it belongs to the comic book genre".[8]

There was much improvisation in dialogue scenes, because the script was not done when filming began (the filmmakers had focused on the story making sense and planning the action). Favreau acknowledged this would make the film feel more natural though. Some scenes were shot with two cameras to capture lines said on the spot. Multiple takes were done as Downey wanted to try something new.[17] It was Downey's idea to have Stark hold a news conference on the floor,[8] and he created the speech Stark makes when demonstrating the "Jericho".[4]

Effects

File:Ironmonger 2008film.jpg
A scale model of the "Iron Monger" suit

Favreau wanted the film to be believable by showing the construction of the suit in its three stages.[9] Stan Winston, a fan of the comic book, and his company built metal and rubber versions of the armors. They had previously worked on Favreau's Zathura.[14] Favreau's main concern with the effects was whether the transition between the computer-generated and practical costumes would be too obvious.[48] Industrial Light & Magic was hired to create the bulk of the visual effects with additional work being completed by The Orphanage and The Embassy; Favreau trusted ILM after seeing Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End and Transformers.[14]

The Mark I design was intended to look like it was built from spare parts: particularly, the back is less armored than the front, as Stark would use his resources to make a forward attack. It also foreshadows the design of Stane's armor. A single 90 pounds (41 kg) version was built, causing concern when a stuntman fell over inside it. Fortunately, it was not damaged. The armor was also designed to only have its top half worn at times.[14] The Embassy created a digital version of the Mark I.[49] Stan Winston Studios built a 10 feet (3.0 m), 800 pounds (360 kg) animatronic that Shane Mahan and other Winston effects artists called the "Iron Monger",[14] after the similar comics character, though that name is not in the film for the character. The animatronic required five operators for the arm, and was built on a gimbal to simulate walking.[14] A scale model was used for the shots of it being built.[17]

The Mark II resembles an airplane prototype, with visible flaps.[17] Iron Man comic book artist Adi Granov designed the Mark III with Phil Saunders.[50] Granov's designs were the primary inspiration for the film's design, and he came on board the film after he recognized his work on Jon Favreau's MySpace page.[39] Saunders streamlined Granov's concept art, making it stealthier and less cartoonish in its proportions.[14] Sometimes, Downey would only wear the helmet, sleeves and chest of the costume over a motion capture suit.[14] For shots of the Mark III flying, it was animated to look realistic by taking off slowly, and landing quickly. To generate shots of Iron Man and the F-22 Raptors battling, cameras were flown in the air to provide reference for physics, wind and frost on the lenses.[51]

Music

See also: Iron Man (soundtrack)

Composer Ramin Djawadi is an Iron Man fan, and still has comic book issues from the late 1970s. While he normally composes after watching an assembly cut, Djawadi began work after seeing the teaser trailer. Favreau clearly envisioned a focus on "heavy" guitar in the score, and Djawadi composed the music on that instrument before arranging it for orchestra. The composer said Downey's performance inspired the several Iron Man themes (for his different moods), as well as Stark's playboy leitmotif. Djawadi's favorite of the Iron Man themes is the "kickass" because of its "rhythmic pattern that is a hook on its own. Very much like a machine." The other themes are "not so much character based, but rather plot based that carry you through the movie".[52]

Release

The premiere was held at the Greater Union theater at George Street, Sydney, on April 14 2008.[53] The film was released worldwide from April 30 to May 3, 2008.[19]

Marketing

Marvel and Paramount are modeling their marketing campaign for Iron Man on that of Transformers.[54] Sega will release a video game based on the film as well as the classic iterations of the character.[55] A 30-second spot for the film played during a Super Bowl XLII break.[56] 6400 7-Eleven stores in the United States helped to promote the film, and LG Group has also made a deal with Paramount.[54] Hasbro has created figures of the Mark I and Mark III armor, as well as Titanium Man (who appears in the video game) and the World War Hulk armor.[57]

Worldwide, Burger King and Audi will help promote the film. Jon Favreau was set to direct a commercial for the fast-food chain, as Michael Bay did for Transformers.[54] In the film, Tony Stark drives an Audi R8 as part of the studio's product placement deal with the automobile company Audi. Three other vehicles, the Audi S6 sedan, Audi S5 sports coupe and the Audi Q7 SUV, also appear in the film.[58] Audi will also create a tie-in website, as General Motors did for Transformers.[54] Oracle Corporation is also co-promoting Iron Man at the Oracle website.[59] Estimates for the cost of marketing Iron Man ranged from US$50 to to $75 million.[60]

Reception

Iron Man has been received with near-universal acclaim. As of May 2, 2008, the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reported that 94% of critics gave the film positive reviews, based on 155 reviews, with the consensus that "even non-comics fans can enjoy this smart, high impact superhero movie".[61] Jen Yamato of Rotten Tomatoes reported that Iron Man was the best-reviewed film of the year so far and "also potentially the highest-rated superhero movies of all time".[62] Metacritic reported the film had an average score of 78 out of 100, based on 35 reviews.[63] The movie received an average score of 80.1% from 63 film critics according to Movie Tab.[64]

Among the major trade journals, Todd McCarthy in Variety called the film an "expansively entertaining special effects extravaganza" with "fresh energy and stylistic polish",[65] while Kirk Honeycutt of The Hollywood Reporter praised the film while nonetheless finding "disappointment [in] a climactic battle between different Iron Man prototypes [...] how did Tony's nemesis learn how to use the suit?"[66] In one of the first major-daily newspaper reviews, Frank Lovece of Newsday lauded the film's "emotional truth [...] pitch-perfect casting and plausibly rendered super-science" that made it "faithful to the source material while updating it – and recognizing what's made that material so enduring isn't just the high-tech cool of a man in a metal suit, but the human condition that got him there".[67] A.O. Scott of the New York Times called the film “ an unusually good superhero picture. Or at least — since it certainly has its problems — a superhero movie that’s good in unusual ways.”[68]

Among the specialty press, Garth Franklin of Dark Horizons commended the "impressive sets and mechanics that combine smoothly with relatively seamless CG", and said, "Robert Downey Jr., along with director Jon Favreau [...] help this rise above formula. The result is something that, whilst hardly original or groundbreaking, is nevertheless refreshing in its earnestness to avoid dark dramatic stylings in favor of an easy-going, crowd-pleasing action movie with a sprinkle of anti-war and redemption themes".[69] IGN's Todd Gilchrist recognized Downey as "the best thing" in a film that "functions on autopilot, providing requisite story developments and character details to fill in this default 'origin story' while the actors successfully breathe life into their otherwise conventional roles".[70]

Among major metropolitian weeklies, David Edelstein of New York magazine called the film "a shapely piece of mythmaking [...] Favreau doesn't go in for stylized comic-book frames, at least in the first half. He gets real with it — you’d think you were watching a military thriller",[71] while conversely, David Denby of The New Yorker, in a negative review, found "a slightly depressed, going-through-the-motions feel to the entire show [...] Gwyneth Paltrow, widening her eyes and palpitating, can't do much with an antique role as Stark's girl Friday, who loves him but can't say so; Terrence Howard, playing a military man who chases around after Stark, looks dispirited and taken for granted".[72]

Box office

Iron Man opened in 4,105 theaters in the United States and Canada, making it the ninth-widest opening of all time.[73] The film grossed $32.5 million on its first day, making it the 14th biggest opening day of all time. Iron Man opened taking $100,750,000 on the first weekend ranking at #1 and making it the highest opening weekend in 2008.[74] As of May 4 2008, the film has grossed an estimated $201,000,000 worldwide — $104,250,000 in the United States and Canada and $96,750,000 in other territories.[75]

Sequel

Jon Favreau planned Iron Man as the first in a trilogy, and has signed on all the original actors.[9] Paramount chief executive officer Brad Grey expects a 2010 release date for the second movie of the series.[76] Favreau believes sequels will allow a latitude in tone,[4] and explore darker story elements such as alcoholism, which he intentionally set aside from the first film.[2] Favreau feels depicting Iron Man's nemesis, the Mandarin, who was created as a metaphor for communism, will be challenging, as he finds the character dated.[4] He also wants to streamline the effort it takes for Stark to put on his armor, considering the "assembly line" effort he makes in the first film.[51]

Downey noted "the next one is about what do you do with the rest of your life once you've completely changed. [...] I think the drinking and all that stuff would be a good way to confront his age, to confront his doubts, to confront the fact that maybe Pepper gets a boyfriend." Downey and Favreau met with Shane Black, who suggested they model Stark on Robert Oppenheimer, who became depressed with being "the destroyer of worlds" after working on the Manhattan Project.[77]

As much of his screentime was cut from the film, Terrence Howard is anticipating becoming War Machine in the sequel.[78] Howard said he would like to follow the slow arc of the comics with Rhodes temporarily becoming Iron Man while Stark succumbs to alcohol, joking "I don't want to introduce War Machine too early for my own monetary benefit."[79]

Downey is reprising his role for a cameo appearance in The Incredible Hulk (2008).[80] Favreau has also expressed interest in directing Downey as the character in an Avengers movie.[81] Marvel has plans to make Iron Man into a Trilogy. The second movie may be released on April 30, 2010.[82]

References

  1. ^ Horn, John (2008-04-17). "Will Iron Man be the summer's strongman?". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2008-04-21. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  2. ^ a b Stax (2006-05-24). "The Unknown Iron Man". IGN. Retrieved 2006-12-06.
  3. ^ a b c Bowles, Scott (2007-04-26). "First look: Downey forges a bond with 'Iron Man' role". USA Today. Retrieved 2007-12-13. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  4. ^ a b c d Allsletter, Rob (2008-03-03). "Iron Man's Jon Favreau". Comics Continuum. Retrieved 2008-03-04. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  5. ^ a b c d Ambrose, Tom (2007-07-26). "The Man In The Iron Mask". Empire. p. 69. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  6. ^ a b c d Hewitt, Chris (April 2008). "Super Fly Guy". Empire. pp. 66–72.
  7. ^ Carroll, Larry (2008-03-18). "'Iron Man' Star Robert Downey Jr. Talks About 'Incredible Hulk' Cameo, Controversial 'Tropic Thunder' Pics". MTV. Retrieved 2008-03-18. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  8. ^ a b c d e f Shapiro, Marc (April 2008). "Pumping Iron". Starlog. pp. 47–50.
  9. ^ a b c d e f Quint (2007-02-09). "Quint visits the IRON MAN production offices! Art! Favreau speaks about sequels (?!?), casting and more!!!". Ain't It Cool News. Retrieved 2007-02-10. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  10. ^ Worley, Rob M. (2008-04-22). "'Iron Man': Terrence Howard lives the dream". Comics2Films. Retrieved 2008-04-22. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  11. ^ Rolfsen, Bruce (2007-03-21). "'Iron Man' pilot to hit big screen". Air Force Times. Retrieved 2007-03-22. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  12. ^ Rotten, Ryan (2008-04-01). "Iron Man: The Set Visit - Terrence Howard". Superhero Hype!. Retrieved 2008-04-01. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  13. ^ Douglas, Edward (2008-05-01). "Gwyneth Paltrow Plays Pepper Potts". Superhero Hype!. Retrieved 2008-05-02. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  14. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "Iron Man production notes". Made in Atlantis. 2008. Retrieved 2008-04-01.
  15. ^ Spelling, Ian (2008-04-29). "Iron Villain Not Black, White". Sci Fi Wire. Retrieved 2008-04-29. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  16. ^ Goldman, Eric (2007-05-04). "Stan Lee's Further Superhero Adventures". IGN. Retrieved 2007-05-14. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  17. ^ a b c d e f Douglas, Edward (2008-04-29). "Exclusive: An In-Depth Iron Man Talk with Jon Favreau". Superhero Hype!. Retrieved 2008-04-29. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  18. ^ Carroll, Larry (2007-07-23). "Confirmed: Hilary Swank Will Appear in 'Iron Man'". MTV. Retrieved 2007-07-23. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  19. ^ a b Thomson, Anne (2008-04-25). "Jon Favreau keeps 'Iron Man' light". Variety. Retrieved 2008-04-28. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  20. ^ Ryan, James (1990-04-14). "Bam! Pow! Heroes take over the silver screen". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  21. ^ Smith, Andrew (1996-02-18). "Gen X kids not bad on screen". The Commercial Appeal. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  22. ^ "Film Clips Column". Journal Gazette. 1997-01-03. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  23. ^ Radford, Bill (1998-09-06). "Big screen gaining new ground as venue for comics creations". The Gazette. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  24. ^ a b c "Iron Man (Archive)". Comics2Film. Retrieved 2008-03-22.
  25. ^ Vice, Jeff (1999-10-03). "Comic books poised for film incarnations". Deseret Morning News. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  26. ^ Smith, Andrew (1999-12-26). "Superheroes lining up for millennium movie debuts". The Commercial Appeal. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  27. ^ Epstein, Warren (2000-07-09). "X-guys could muscle up more Marvelous screen fare". The Gazette. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  28. ^ Richey, Rodney (2000-09-25). "Warner Bros. goes 'Bat' to the Future". Los Angeles Daily News. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  29. ^ Elder, Robert K. (2001-06-01). "All work and lots of slay". Chicago Tribune. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  30. ^ Garcia, Chris (2002-12-06). "A firsthand look at 'Secondhand'". Austin American-Statesman. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  31. ^ Ferrante, Anthony C. (2007-02-15). "Alfred Gough on Smallville, Iron Man and The Mummy 3 - Part 3". Retrieved 2008-02-02. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  32. ^ "Nick Cassavetes to Direct New Line Cinema and Marvel's Iron Man". New Line Cinema. 2004-12-10. Retrieved 2006-07-28. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  33. ^ El Chavo (2006-04-24). "Iron Man by Alfred Gough & Miles Millar, Revisions By David Hayter". Latino Review. Retrieved 2008-03-22. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  34. ^ Fritz, Ben (2005-11-02). "Marvel steels itself for 'Iron'". Variety. Retrieved 2006-07-28. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  35. ^ Kit, Borys (2008-04-28). "Marvel Studios outlines slew of superhero titles". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2008-03-22. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  36. ^ Worley, Rob (2006-06-21). "Jon Favreau talks Iron Man". Comics2Film. Retrieved 2008-03-22. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  37. ^ Jensen, Jeff (2008-04-17). "'Iron Man': Summer's first Marvel?". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2008-04-21. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  38. ^ "Ultimate Superhero Preview". Empire. 2006-09-29. pp. 90, 230. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Check date values in: |date= (help)
  39. ^ a b c Vespe, Eric (2007-07-28). "Quint goes one on one with Jon Favreau about IRON MAN at Comic-Con!!!". Ain't It Cool News. Retrieved 2007-07-29.
  40. ^ Ferris, Glen (2008-04-29). "Empire: Interviews - Jon Favreau Video Interview". Empire Online. Retrieved 2008-05-01. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  41. ^ a b Worley, Rob M. (2007-09-08). "Iron Man: Favreau on films, fans, and Fin Fang Foom". Comics2Film. Retrieved 2007-08-08. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  42. ^ Raab, Scott (2007-02-21). "May God Bless and Keep Robert Downey Jr". Esquire. Retrieved 2007-02-23. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  43. ^ "Funding Initiated for Iron Man Movie". Superhero Hype!. 2007-02-28. Retrieved 2007-02-28. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  44. ^ Favreau, Jon (2007-03-19). "Jon Favreau on Iron Man filming". Superhero Hype!. Retrieved 2007-03-19. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  45. ^ "Flying with the stars". Edwards Air Force Base. 2007-04-06. Retrieved 2007-04-16. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  46. ^ Miles, Donna (2007-05-02). "Edwards team stars in 'Iron Man' superhero movie". United States Air Force. Retrieved 2007-05-14. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  47. ^ Favreau, Jon (2007-06-25). "Iron Man Movie Update!". Comingsoon.net. Retrieved 2007-06-26. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  48. ^ Rotten, Ryan (2008-04-01). "Iron Man: The Set Visit - Jon Favreau". Superhero Hype!. Retrieved 2008-04-01. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  49. ^ Andrews, Marke (2008-04-11). "Vancouver's visual effects makers bulk up". The Vancouver Sun. Retrieved 2008-04-12. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  50. ^ "Who Designed the Iron Man Suit?". Superhero Hype!. 2007-05-06. Retrieved 2007-05-06. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  51. ^ a b Vespe, Eric (2008-04-21). "Quint visits ILM with Jon Favreau and sees some IRON MAN stuff!!". Ain't It Cool News. Retrieved 2008-04-22. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  52. ^ "Ramin Djawadi" (in Italian). Comicus. 2008-04-06. Retrieved 2008-04-06. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  53. ^ "Iron Man Aussie Premiere Pics". Superhero Hype!. 2008-04-14. Retrieved 2008-04-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  54. ^ a b c d Stanley, T.L. (2008-01-07). "Tie-ins: LG, BK, 7-Eleven To Pump Paramount's Iron Man". Brandweek. Retrieved 2008-01-08. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  55. ^ Cordeira, Jim (2006-11-06). "Sega and Marvel hook up for Iron Man". Gaming Age. Retrieved 2006-11-06. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  56. ^ Graser, Marc (2007-12-19). "'Studios suit up for Super Bowl". Variety. Retrieved 2007-12-20. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  57. ^ Douglas, Edward (2008-02-17). "Hasbro Previews G.I. Joe, Hulk, Iron Man, Indy & Clone Wars". SuperHeroHype.com. Retrieved 2008-02-17. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  58. ^ Graser, Marc (2007-07-25). "'Iron Man' rides with Audi". Variety. Retrieved 2007-07-26. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  59. ^ "Oracle is co-promoting Ironman". Retrieved 2008-05-02.
  60. ^ Gorman, Steve (2008-05-03). ""Iron Man" gets heavy start at box office". Reuters. Retrieved 2008-05-04. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  61. ^ "Iron Man Movie Reviews, Pictures - Rotten Tomatoes". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 2008-05-02.
  62. ^ Yamato, Jen (2008-05-01). "Iron Man is the Best-Reviewed Movie of 2008!". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 2008-05-02. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  63. ^ "Iron Man (2008): Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 2008-05-01.
  64. ^ "Movie Tab: Iron Man Reviews". Movie Tab. Retrieved 2008-05-03.
  65. ^ McCarthy, Todd (2008-04-25). "Iron Man". Variety. Retrieved 2008-05-03.
  66. ^ Honeycutt, Kirk (2008-04-28). "Iron Man". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2008-05-03.
  67. ^ Lovece, Frank (2008-04-30). "'Iron Man'". Newsday. Retrieved 2008-05-03.
  68. ^ Scott, A. O. (2008-05-02). "Iron Man (2008)". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-05-03.
  69. ^ Franklin, Garth (2008-05-02). "Review: "Iron Man"". Dark Horizons. Retrieved 2008-05-03.
  70. ^ Gilchrist, Todd (2008-04-29). "Iron Man Review". IGN. Retrieved 2008-04-29. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  71. ^ Edelstein, David (2008-04-25). "A Hero for Our Times". New York. Retrieved 2008-05-03.
  72. ^ Denby, David (2008-05-05). "Unsafe". The New Yorker. Retrieved 2008-05-03.
  73. ^ "Movies With the Widest Openings at the Box Office". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2008-05-02.
  74. ^ "Opening Day Records at the Box Office". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2008-05-03.
  75. ^ "Iron Man (2008)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2008-05-02.
  76. ^ "Iron Man 2 in 2010?". Entertainment Tonight. 2008-05-01. Retrieved 2008-05-01. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  77. ^ Collura, Scott (2008-04-29). "Downey Jr. on Tony Stark's Future". IGN. Retrieved 2008-04-29. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  78. ^ Spelling, Ian (2008-04-29). "Iron's Howard Talks War Machine". Sci Fi Wire. Retrieved 2008-04-29. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  79. ^ Douglas, Edward (2008-04-28). "Terrence Howard on the Future of War Machine". Superhero Hype!. Retrieved 2008-04-29. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  80. ^ Carroll, Larry. "William Hurt Says New Hulk Is More Heroic, Reveals Iron Man Crossover Scene". MTV. Retrieved 2008-01-20.
  81. ^ Adler, Shawn (2008-01-03). "'Iron Man' Helmer Jon Favreau Wants To Assemble 'Avengers' Flick". MTV. Retrieved 2008-01-20. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  82. ^ "Iron Man 2 in 2010?". 2008-05-01. Retrieved 2008-05-04.

Further reading

External links

Wikiquote has quotations related to Iron Man (2008 film).

Template:Box Office Leaders USA

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Iron_Man_(2008_film)&oldid=210176231"