Sci-Fi Film and Television Developments
Iron Man 2
10/29/08 - Marvel Comics confirmed that Robert Downey Jr. will star in and Jon Favreau will direct a second Iron Man movie and that Downey will play the character in an upcoming Avengers film, which Favreau will executive-produce if not direct. Marvel also confirmed that casting of Don Cheadle as Col. James "Rhodey" Rhodes, replacing Terrence Howard.
10/14/08 - Don Cheadle is stepping in to replace Terrence Howard in Iron Man 2, Marvel Studios' sequel to its summer blockbuster, according to The Hollywood Reporter. In the first film, Howard played Jim Rhodes, Tony Stark/Iron Man's best friend and the future armor-clad hero War Machine. One scene featured Howard looking at a silver suit of armor and saying "Next time," a line that caused great delight for fans. But there will be no next time for Howard. Marvel had no comment, but sources close to the deal told the trade paper that negotiations with Howard fell through over financial differences, among other reasons. Marvel, which had wanted to work with Cheadle, then decided to take the role in another direction and approached the actor. Rhodes is expected to play a larger part in the sequel, which is rumored to go beyond high-tech villains. Justin Theroux is writing the screenplay. Jon Favreau is returning as director, and Robert Downey Jr. is expected back as billionaire industrialist Stark/Iron Man. Gwyneth Paltrow also is expected to be back as Stark's assistant, Pepper Potts.
9/12/08 – SCI FI Wire reported that Iron Man director Jon Favreau wants to shoot the Iron Man sequel in IMAX, possibly use 3-D technology, introduce the Mandarin and turn Terrence Howard's character into War Machine. "I would love to do 3-D," Favreau said, adding that he saw the use of IMAX and 3-D as ways to give people a reason to go to theaters. Iron Man 2 already has a release date from Marvel of April 30, 2010, but Favreau and company are only in the early stages of scripting. "The writing is really coming along well," Favreau said. "We've got Justin Theroux working on it, who Downey knows. He brings a real sense of fun. He's never worked in this genre before, and so he has that great newcomer's enthusiasm that I think we still share." Favreau said that he and his colleagues are currently looking at a lot of the different comics in terms of creating a tone and coming up with ideas for characters. Matt Fraction's recent work on the Iron Man comic books has become the biggest source for the sequel, Favreau said. "I'm going to bring you up to speed in the movie and tell a fun story," Favreau added. "I want to up the ante in smart ways. ... You're going to see that the suit has changed more. ... That Tony Stark is making breakthroughs and innovation. You'll see what has happened since he said, 'I am Iron Man.'" And what's up with the 800-pound gorilla in the room, War Machine, the superpowered character that Howard's Jim "Rhodey" Rhodes morphs into? "I want to do it," Favreau said enthusiastically. "We're drawing War Machine. We're figuring it out. We're talking to Terrence to see if he can take some time out of his new life as a musician to be War Machine. I think Terrence and the character of Rhodey were smaller in the first movie than we had anticipated. But it does set the table very well for this character."
8/22/08 - Iron Man director Jon Favreau told the Los Angeles Times that he's begun developing the expected sequel, though there hasn't been a formal announcement yet: "We're working on it now, which hasn't been officially announced. It will be released in 2010."
7/16/08 - Justin Theroux will write the sequel to Iron Man, and Marvel is close to a deal to bring back director Jon Favreau and star Robert Downey Jr. for the sequel it hopes to release in April 2010. Marvel Studios didn't confirm any deals around the project.
7/11/08 - Nikki Finke's web site reported that Marvel Studios and Iron Man director Jon Favreau have reached a deal for him to helm the sequel, due out in 2010. The site added that star Robert Downey Jr. was obligated by his contract to appear in the sequel.
06/12/08 - A day after Iron Man star Terrence Howard told Military.com that he expected to be working on the sequel in March of 2009, director Jon Favreau posted a note to fans on his message board that the rumored release date of April 2010 seems unrealistic. "I am concerned, however, about the announced release date of April 2010," Favreau wrote. "Neither [star Robert Downey Jr.] nor I were consulted about this and we are both concerned about how realistic the date is in light of the fact that we have no script, story or even writers hired yet."
05/23/08 – Kevin Feige said that talks are underway with director Jon Favreau to return and that he hopes to wrap them up soon. Release date: Iron Man 2 on April 30, 2010.
05/06/08 – Marvel announced on May 5th that it will release a sequel, Iron Man 2, and a film version of Thor in the summer of 2010, followed by what it's calling an Avengers-themed summer in 2011, with the release of The First Avenger: Captain America (working title) and The Avengers. The company, which is producing its own slate of movies based on Marvel Comics characters, added that it does not plan to release a film in 2009. Iron Man 2 will open on April 30, 2010, followed by Thor on June 4, 2010. The two Avengers projects will follow: The First Avenger: Captain America on May 6, 2011, and The Avengers in July 2011.
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