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Two strange news items about Iron Man

One: Despite all the ballyhoo about Iron Man's impressive box office figures, and despite the numerous hints at a sequel scattered throughout the movie's screenplay, Jon Favreau is by no means certain to direct the second movie in the franchise.

Speaking on Howard Stern's radio show last week, Favreau said  "They haven't offered me anything yet. They're all talking -- they want to do it, they even announced a date."

If Marvel Studios really don't have Favreau locked in right now that's a considerable oversight. It'll be a good deal harder to negotiate with a director when his movie is at the top of the box office charts.

Two: keen-eyed fanboys across the globe are sure that Captain America's iconic shield can be spotted in the background of Tony Stark's workroom in one scene of Iron Man. It seems improbable, given that the film's continuity doesn't even hint at a meeting between Stark and Cap at that point, and that the super-soldier would be unlikely to just leave his most potent weapon lying around on someone else's workbench.

There's something there alright though. What do you think? Take a look at the screengrabs over at i09

Iron Man - Robert Downey Jr Interview

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Iron Man: First UK review

If you’re impatient and don’t have the time to read my whole review, here are the bullet points:

 

It’s great.

 

It’s the ultimate geek movie: Extraordinary computer aided design skills trump brute strength, and there's (almost) no romantic sub-plot.

 

There are two bona-fide ‘Indiana Jones vs Cocky Swordsman’ moments.

 

There is NO Nick Fury cameo*.

 

There isn’t QUITE ENOUGH Black Sabbath.

 

It’s notable that the name Iron Man is only used once in the movie, right at the very end and the name of his rival, Ironmonger, is only mentioned once in a throwaway comment. There’s also the subtlest of hints that we might see the ‘other’ Iron Man, War Machine, in the inevitable sequel.

 

'That guy that sneaked onto the set' didn't make the final cut.

Continue reading for the full Iron Man review, which will inevitably contain some plot spoilers.

Grand Designs: The Iron Man edition

And you thought you loved movies?

Not as much as Carl Kelly does. The Times reports this morning that he managed to talk his way onto the set of Iron Man, bluffed his way through a scene with Gwyneth Paltrow, and even appears in the background of one of the posters.

Now that, my friends, beats any action figures, limited edition maquettes or replica props as the best piece of movie memorabilia ever.

 

Nick Fury: Definitely in Iron Man. Or not.

Samuel L.Jackson's cameos in (definitely) Iron Man and (probably) The Incredible Hulk have been widely reported around the web and a few shots of the cult favourite actor have escaped the set to be distributed around the globe. The short scene, together with the notion that it might set up a future Avengers movie, is something that has excited the vast legion of Internet-savvy fanboys to an almost fever pitch.

Except now it might not happen. Or it might. There's talk over on Comic Book Resources that it 'may' not:

“Iron Man” will hit theatres on May 2nd. Samuel L. Jackson IS playing Nick Fury but his cameo may not appear in THIS film. They also confirmed that there is a crossover between this movie and “The Incredible Hulk”. [my italics]

Whether the Fury scene is being held back for some sort of DVD extra, or whether Marvel are just trying (quixotically) to restore the element of surprise is hard to say. It seems improbable that Jackson's performance will end up on the cutting room floor. He's still in IMDB's cast list and one look at the Ultimate Avengers incarnation of Fury (see pic) will convince you that Marvel believe in Sam L. as the director of S.H.I.E.L.D.

Iron Man: On Wheels

Once the Iron Man movie's actually out, there'll probably be Happy Meals and all sorts of other low-end merchandising opportunities. That's months away though (although maybe not as far off as you thought). In the meantime, there's just this rather hip-looking Audi commercial. And you know I like a movie that's a secret Audi commercial.

Iron Man posters: Take your pick

What's your flava?  The lively US poster (with bonus explosion!) or the reassuringly gloomy European version with extra Dude?

Iron Man Exclusive: New trailer & stills from one of 2008's hottest movies

Our exclusive new Iron Man trailer offers all the joyous moments that US audiences saw in the much-talked-about Superbowl Spot last month, but add more detail that further humanises the Armoured Avenger and fleshes out more of alter ego Tony Stark’s character arc.

It’s even more evident now from the earlier scenes in the trail that our hero starts out as something of an ass. Showboating shamelessly through his Lord of War moment he sips whiskey in a combat zone and generally acts like God’s gift.

He becomes a hero through adversity, as a result of disability, and that’s ultimately why people will love Iron Man. None of us can come from Krypton like Superman, nor (we hope) be bitten by a radioactive bug like Spiderman, but any of us could – in theory – strap on some high-tech armour and accidentally write off a priceless sports car.

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Favreau talks Iron Man at WonderCon

A number of sites are reporting on the delicious new Iron Man 'armour evolution' poster being given to select attendees at this year' WonderCon in San Diego. io9 has probably the best coverage though, snatching a short, snappy, and very silly interview with a clearly ebullient Jon Favreau. Still probably best known for 'Swingers' Favreau directed Iron Man and, as long as box office on the movie matches the current buzz generated by a series of dynamite trailers, probably has the inside track on the forthcoming Avengers movie too. The Avengers (not to be confused with the British TV series of the same name) is Marvel's premier superhero team, with a rotating membership that has varied over the years but traditionally features Iron Man along with Captain America, Thor, and The Hulk.

Favreau wouldn't be drawn on the rumours that the Avengers move will be presaged by casting links between Iron Man and the upcoming Hulk movie, as this quote from io9's interview demonstrates:

When asked about the rumors on the internet about a scene with Nick Fury as Samuel L. Jackson appearing in both this movie and The Incredible Hulk, Jon said "Yes, it's true. There are rumors on the internet."

Iron Man: Latest trailer

If you haven’t already seen the latest Iron Man trailer, you’re missing a treat. It features at least two elements with the power to make anyone smile; The cocky tone in Tony Stark's (Robert Downey Jr.) voice as he announces ‘Yeah, I can fly’ and the way that he turns dismissively away from the tank that’s been menacing him without a second glance.

Batman Begins demonstrated that superhero movies could still be cool, and Fantastic Four showed us that they can still be fun. Iron Man shows every sign of being both.

 

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Iron Man: The Superbowl Spot