JON FAVREAU TO ADAPT, DIRECT IRON MAN FOR MARVEL

[MattBrady]

He may have played Matt Murdock’s best friend, Foggy Nelson In the film version of Daredevil, but when it comes to a film version of Marvel’s Iron Man, Jon Favreau has a much larger role than that of a supporting character.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Marvel has tapped the actor/screenwriter/director to develop and direct Iron Man, working on the script from Arthur Marcum and Matt Holloway. While many may only remember Favreau as Nelson or perhaps from his breakout role in Swingers, Favreau has moved recently, to work behind the camera, directing last year’s Zathura, executive producing the acclaimed Green Street Hooligans, and directing Elf, among others. Favreau is also attached to direct a film version of John Carter, Warlord of Mars.

As Favreau said in an interview quoted in the trade, he’ll be looking to use CGI with the project, something he has been reluctant to do, making Iron Man his first film which will use the technology extensively. “I think that now, through motion-capture and the integration of miniatures with CGI, like in King Kong, I'm starting to be a lot more convinced by what the technology can do,” Favreau is quoted as saying. “But the idea of using CGI and relying solely on that to tell your story, those days are past. I think that integrating practical filmmaking and augmenting it with CGI is the key to making it an emotionally involved story."

If things move according to plan, Iron Man will begin production in early 2007.

The announcement of Favreau’s connection with Iron Man was only one of a handful of Marvel film developments cited by the Reporter. In addition to Iron Man:

- a sequel to Hulk is fully in the works, written by Zak (X2, X3) Penn

- Shaun of the Dead co-writer Edgar Wright is adapting Ant-Man. Wright will direct and co-write the film version with Joe Cornish.

- Captain Americais being adapted by David (Road to Perdition) Self, who is also adapting/has adapted Namor and Deathlok

- Andrew (Hoolow Man) Marlow is adapting Nick Fury.

- Mark (Poseidon) Protosevich is adapting Thor."In the comics, the stories that appealed to me most were the features called 'Tales of Asgard,' " Protosevich told the Reporter. "They were very much based on the traditional Norse myths and how the relationship between being like Thor and Loki and Thor and Odin, and how these beings manifested themselves. I don't want to give too much away, but I will say the movie will take place in the world of myth and legend but will not betray some of the thematic elements of the comics that made them so appealing, like the idea of a god growing to truly understand man."

All the films will be produced by Marvel, as part of their plan to become their own production house (for which they raised $525 million), and distribute the films through Paramount (the Hulk sequel is already set up to be distributed through Universal).

[Tom Daylight]

Joe Cornish of Adam and Joe infamy... co-writing an Ant-Man film? This'll be interesting.

One slight concern about the Thor description is that the studio could so easily cut out anything to do with the comics and do a Thor film without involving Marvel at all. I mean, it doesn't concern me particularly in terms of the quality of the film (could go either way really) but from the comic book point of view, it's not so great.

[Uncle Jawa]

I have high hopes now for Iron Man. They just need to cast it properly. I hope they don't pick someone too famous for Tony Stark. Nothing like Tom Cruise or others that have been suggested in the past. And I also hope for a classic villain, ala Crimson Dynamo, the Mandarin (which probably won't happen, because it wouldn't be considered PC)...hell, even Spymaster (who has been made really cool in THE INEVITABLE).

[Uncle Jawa]

Originally Posted by Fetsur

Joe Cornish of Adam and Joe infamy... co-writing an Ant-Man film? This'll be interesting.

One slight concern about the Thor description is that the studio could so easily cut out anything to do with the comics and do a Thor film without involving Marvel at all. I mean, it doesn't concern me particularly in terms of the quality of the film (could go either way really) but from the comic book point of view, it's not so great.

I hear ya on the Thor stuff, but hopefully it'll still have the classic Marvel flavor.

[Nakedmanatee]

Jon Favreau is money, baby! Now can we expect to see Vince Vaughn as Tony Stark? He's got the horndog aspect of the character down.
Seriously tho'... I'd like to see somebody on the level of Clive Owen play the part...

yr. buddy,
David

[Alextron]

Well, it coule be cool. They may as well have Favreau write the practically non existent book that's going on right now. I'm not all excited with some of the things that have gone down since Joe Quesada moved it.

however, having that guy that played Gutter on board could help everyones favorite alcholic superhero. OK, PCU wasn't all that good and was directed by the guy who played Ellis (the idiot who got himself killed) in Diehard. Also, that director was in the Supergirl movie. Trivia connection made.

[apop32]

I can't believe I got beat to the PCU reference! I'll do it anyway.

Gutter is a tool! Gutter is a tool!

[silverchild]

Originally Posted by Nakedmanatee

Jon Favreau is money, baby! Now can we expect to see Vince Vaughn as Tony Stark? He's got the horndog aspect of the character down.
Seriously tho'... I'd like to see somebody on the level of Clive Owen play the part...

yr. buddy,
David

Vince Vaughn will channel Tony Stark. Clive Owen is too stiff.

[<sage>]

Vince Vaughn will channel Tony Stark.Clive Owen is too stiff.

Have you seen "Closer" he goes ape-____ in that movie, wasn't stiff at all (kinda ironic when you think of the context of the film. Nonethless he deffinetley isn't to "stiff" for the role, while he wouldn't be my first choice if he landed the role, I'd see the movie, If Vaughn got it... hell no I'd boycotting that ____!

[Michael P]

Originally Posted by Fetsur

Joe Cornish of Adam and Joe infamy... co-writing an Ant-Man film? This'll be interesting.

One slight concern about the Thor description is that the studio could so easily cut out anything to do with the comics and do a Thor film without involving Marvel at all. I mean, it doesn't concern me particularly in terms of the quality of the film (could go either way really) but from the comic book point of view, it's not so great.

Considering Marvel *is* the studio, I don't think that'll be too much of a problem.

[WiseManShazam]

This pleases me

[Tom Daylight]

Oops! Missed that last paragraph..

[old doom]

favreau has got the goods:
actor, comedic actor, and great director of fantasy and sci-fi with a message behind it
he will be a perfect fit for IM
Elf is a well made fantasy
everyone i speak with always says how much they love it
i saw zathura on the basis of favreau
great family entertainment and just a few famous names in the cast away from a blockbuster
he is a tight brilliant director
i also always laugh when i see him on "Friends" getting mauled in the Ultimate fighting chamionships
so yay

[razorwing77]

I betcha Tony Stark doesn't have a mustache in the movie. Mustaches just don't cut it in real life anymore.

[NightRiver]

Sounds good about Iron Man. I trust in Favreau.

I think they should get James Caviezel to play Tony.

[sequart]

Don't know if I'm excited about this. He's been focusing on family oriented movies lately and that may not be good for people looking for a cutting edge film. Also, he's decided to really give CGI a shot??? So this'll be his test run??? That doesn't sound promising. I'd want a pro doing that kind of stuff.

[delawarejoel]

Originally Posted by

Have you seen "Closer" he goes ape-____ in that movie, wasn't stiff at all (kinda ironic when you think of the context of the film. Nonethless he deffinetley isn't to "stiff" for the role, while he wouldn't be my first choice if he landed the role, I'd see the movie, If Vaughn got it... hell no I'd boycotting that ____!

I havent seen Closer but Owen just does not do it for me, I have yet to like him in a movie (he was horrible in King Arthur and Sin City) and Vaughn is too wacky and loose (though I love the Vincemeister). Cruise is totally wrong....I think it should be an unknown, that tends to work better in superhero movies because the actor's persona doesnt overshadow the character....

But Favreau is a great filmmaker and a smart guy. I think its a good choice.

[afterburnz]

Originally Posted by sequart

Don't know if I'm excited about this. He's been focusing on family oriented movies lately and that may not be good for people looking for a cutting edge film. Also, he's decided to really give CGI a shot??? So this'll be his test run??? That doesn't sound promising. I'd want a pro doing that kind of stuff.

Well it's not like a director actually does the CGI himself.

And you have to watch some of Favreau's other word. He has no problem being edgy.

[Bobo Da Hobo]

Shaun of the Dead co-writer Edgar Wright is adapting Ant-Man. Wright will direct and co-write the film version with Joe Cornish.

Oh f!!k me Amazing!!!!!

[punjeb]

I know its early, but as for speculation I'd like to see Peter Reckell (Days Of Our Lives's Bo Brady) as Tony Stark. He can do heroic, suave and drunk, he's got the charm and charisma, and if he "cleans up" a bit, looks like Tony. And soaps seem to be good proving grounds for movie super-heroes, like Chriostopher Reeve

[sequart]

Originally Posted by afterburnz

Well it's not like a director actually does the CGI himself.

And you have to watch some of Favreau's other word. He has no problem being edgy.

He won't be doing the CGI by himself. True. But he has to know how to shoot his shots with CGI in mind. That's what I'm worried about. Also, I know that Favreau's past involves edgy work, but he said in an interview during his "Elf" period that he was really interested in making films that his young children would enjoy and that's where his heart is right now.

Bottom line, I'm not excited...yet.

[tomburgos]

As crazy as he seems to be, I would've loved for Tom Cruise to do this: his public persona may overshadow his talent, but he is a fantastic actor that can definitely play troubled, tormented and/or confused (Magnolia, Born On The Fourth Of July), and Cruise always atracts top of the line talent to his projects...he is also a perfectionist, and of course, even after his salary, he would've guaranteed a healthy budget for the film.
Plus, contrary to what many people think, he is actually the kind of actor that lets the director do his work.

Not to mention that Iron Man isn't exactly an icon for mainstream audiences like Batman, Supes, and Spidey already were before their films opened (heck, even Wonder Woman is much better known amongst non-comic fans than IM)...a name actor could help the box office

What concerns me about Favreau is that he doesn't strike me as a director who will do action scenes well,(and that whole "films that my children will enjoy" bit) and his CGI comment.
I hope that Tony's armor isn't entirely done on CGI...it could rock if done with scale models and such...

[kingofcities]

Great news. Favreau is a very good director. His first time behind the camera in MADE with Vince Vaughn is very underrated.

[samnoir]

As long as Vince Vaughn isn't playing Tony!

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[KyleCowstar]

I can see this now...Zathura 2 . Just kidding!!!

Jon will probably do a great job. From what I've seen, he brings the best out in actors.