While many comic book movie fans have been excited to see where things might go in Iron Man 3, some potentially devastating news has now entered into the equation.
Director Jon Favreau has informed Marvel Studios that, sadly, he will not be returning to helm the next installment. Favreau showed his skills with movies like Elf and Zathura, but really became a top-tier directing talent with Iron Man in 2008, and expanded upon that success with Iron Man 2 in 2010. The movies thrived at the box office, bringing in well over a billion dollars worldwide, making a third film all-but-guaranteed.
The mystery to this news remains to be why exactly Favreau has chosen to walk away from the franchise. It’s said that there have been many disputes between the director and Marvel as to both financial compensation and creative choices, and that one or both of these reasons could be primary factors in the shocking decision.
In a conversation with MTV recently, Favreau admitted that Iron Man 3 would likely be a sequel not only to his previous works, but also to storylines involving other movies in their arsenal such as Thor, Captain America, The Incredible Hulk, and The Avengers. In said conversation, he stated that “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,” leading many to believe that his grasp on the mythos was detaching rapidly.
Favreau’s ever-growing price tag may be the most likely culprit of his self-removal from the next movie, but other rather conspiring opinions seem to think that Marvel had intentions of trying to replace him with a new director all along.
With Cowboys & Aliens on the way and Favreau already set to direct Magic Kingdom for Disney (who owns Marvel), he’ll carry on having no issues finding high-profile work if he so chooses to pursue it, but most will be saddened by his having no involvement in Iron Man 3.
Marvel is reportedly already seeking their replacement director, so who would you want to see them bring in?
[Source: Vulture]
Not sure what the big shock is. You can only do so much with a character, considering he’s technically been in three movies already, with a fourth coming in two years (not to mention if he makes any cameos in next summer’s films, I’d give this iteration of Iron Man a rest. His ‘I don’t know know what this world is’ comment seems to tell me he doesn’t know if there’s a definitive end to the Iron Man character which he helped pioneer. He also probably doesn’t want another Spider-Man 3 or X-Men: The Last Stand to happen.
Comment by Slipstream — December 14, 2010 @ 6:29 pm
I think Favreau and Downey Jr. had plans for a third Iron Man movie all along (rumored to be against The Mandarin) but with Marvel increasingly pushing their “Avenger” agenda on him, he probably felt like he was losing creative control of the franchise that he’d started. Throw on top of that, their reported shrewdness with his salary and I don’t blame him for leaving. Wish it wasn’t so, but I know he’ll continue to do awesome work elsewhere!
Comment by Twinky — December 14, 2010 @ 6:40 pm
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO they are making another another fast and the furious movie and now this. I think Im going to go shoot myself now…
Comment by adf;kaj — December 15, 2010 @ 8:48 am
Jon made enough money and don’t think he can make a 3rd sequel as good as the first.
Iron Man 2 wasn’t as good as the first and if he made a 3rd it would probably suck like Spider-Man 3.
Maybe Joss will do it after the Avengers movie.
Comment by EY — December 15, 2010 @ 3:33 pm
Get Antoine Fuqua to do it. I think he’s got the chops to make a good Iron Man flick.
Comment by WonderGoon — December 19, 2010 @ 1:42 am
All we need is Joss. ‘Nuff said.
Comment by Lemon Berry — December 19, 2010 @ 8:00 pm