Iron Man 2 was fun. It was also forgettable, and it strove so hard to integrate into a larger universe than it ended up getting lost in its own cross-marketing bullshit. Recently named director and apparent writer of the third flick, Shane Black, addressed all of this at the Omaha Film Festival this past weekend.

Read the rest of this entry »

Shit’s gone gold, Shane Black 3 is going to be the director of Iron Man 3. There isn’t anymore ruminating, you can bite this news without worry of Fool’s Gold. According to Deadline, the Obviously Hooded Cabal at Marvel is in final negotiations with Black to direct the final flick in the trilogy, though it isn’t certain if he is going to write it or not.

RDJ teaming up with the dude who essentially relaunched his career, the same dude who wrote The Last Boyscout makes me a bit more excited about this movie. Hopefully it’s more memorable than the cute but ultimately forgettable second installment.

Robert Downey Jr. and Shane Black worked together on the flick Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. I have not seen this movie, but more than one person has told me that I’m a douchebag. Well, specifically for this, though I’ve been called it for many, many reasons. Now Shane Black is apparently up to reunite with RDJ on Iron Man 3.

Read the rest of this entry »

It’s been a busy day for Jon Favreau, and Iron Man 3. First it was rumored that Favreau wasn’t going to direct it. Then it was confirmed. And now we have, courtesy of Slashfilm and the LA Times the reason behind his departure.

In an interview with Los Angeles Times writer Geoff Boucher, Favreau said the rumored reasons why he’s leaving Iron Man, such as money issues or lack of cohesiveness, where inaccurate. He’s still a producer on The Avengers and remains friendly with Marvel main man Kevin Feige. His main reason for leaving was to “find something that lights a fire” inside of him and also something that will “blow people away, which is easier to do with a project that isn’t loaded with built-in expectations.” So, basically, he wants some new toys to play with. He thinks of the departure as more of a “graduation” rather than “divorce.”

Well then. Hard to blame the guy, isn’t it? If he was genuinely burnt out on the characters and would have been mailing in a third movie, I’m glad it oped out of it. If you’re reticent to agree with me, check out Spider-Man 3. It’s mind-blowing how awful a movie can be when a director no longer has the freedom he wants, or the passion for the characters. I forgive you, Sam Raimi.

So Favreau is gone. Wonder who is going to step in. Thoughts?

Update: Deadline confirms Favreau’s departure. Balls.

—-

Thar be reports pouring out that Jon Favreau isn’t going to direct Iron Man 3. This isn’t an enormous surprise. Both Favreau and Downey Jr. didn’t like the Iron Man 2 script, and felt it was rushed out. As well, Marvel has been developing a reputation for being cheap as fuck, and Favreau may have been/may be anticipating getting low balled. And now there are reports that he has informed Marvel that he shan’t be returning for the third movie.

But still, fucking shit. Favreau’s a talented son of a bitch, and he clearly gets Iron Man.

Over at Slashfilm, they point out that Favreau was even recently wavering on the topic:

Vulture first reported the news of Favreau’s apparently (sic) departure from the Iron Man franchise. He spoke about the third film at length just last week and you can read our report here. The video, from MTV, is below and in it, you’ll hear Favreau talking about his uncertainty concerning Iron Man 3.

Slash then links to a transcript of said conversation:

Kevin Feige, who’s been involved with superhero movies with Marvel movies since the X-Men films, is very aware of his path and how to weave [things together], so in theory, ‘Iron Man 3? is going to be a sequel or continuation of ‘Thor,’ ‘Hulk,’ ‘Captain America’ and ‘Avengers’… This whole world… I have no idea what it is. I don’t think they do either, from conversations I’ve had with those guys.

Balls. I’m getting frustrated with Marvel’s insistence on lowballing directors and rushing bullshit out. When you have a winning director, let them do their own thing with the franchise. Trust me. Maybe Iron Man 2 would have been more than decent but forgettable if Favreau had been able to work at his own speed.

Ask DC about it? Clearly letting Nolan rock out for a bit and then return invigorated to a franchise has worked.