Iron Man 2 Updates

Iron Man is, for me, the best movie of 2008. Yeah, I know 2008 isn’t over yet, but unless Tropic Thunder can top Iron Man, it’ll stay at the top of my list. Yes, yes, I liked it better than Dark Knight. I’m not necessarily saying Dark Knight is bad (because it isn’t), I just enjoyed Iron Man more, because I didn’t have to listen to a guy sound like he needed some strepsils or go wtf at the ending monologue.

For those wondering, no, that’s not the official poster. That came from the video game concept art, if I’m not mistaken, and I just put the I from “Iron Man” twice in the back.

Here are the updates, according to Favreau:

He says that it will integrate into the Avengers film in a way. Captain America, Thor, and the Incredible Hulk will all be interconnected, as they exist in one universe. The Marvel Filmverse is making me wet myself, it really is.

Justin Theroux is working on the writing of the sequel. He and Robert Downey, Jr. have a sort of synchronization of ideas, RDJ’s taste is like Justin’s. That’s a good thing. And speaking of RDJ, he’s in it. Of course, he’ll be in it. He’s got a sequel clause in his contract. HUZZAH!!!

War Machine? Yes, fucking War Machine.

So, Favreau said that Rhodes’ part in the first film wasn’t as prominent as they’d liked it to be. But he said it’s okay, because it worked. Well, something like that.  This time around, they want to give him a bigger spotlight. How do you do that any better than introducing fucking WAR MACHINE? They’ve been working around with drawings and designs and figuring out how to introduce him in the second movie.

Favreau said he’s interested in doing it in IMAX format. But it all boils down to dollars and cents- the cost. But he said to imagine the HUD of the Iron Man suit, with lots of stuff flying around over your face, like you were in the Iron Man yourself! How cool would that be?

So far, that’s all I think Favreau has confirmed (or at least, talked about). But here are tidbits I’ve read around the usual gossip channels.

The Mandarin! I think someone said that Favreau said the Mandarin will be part of the second film to a certain degree but will not be the full blown villian, because that’s the kind of shit you reserve for the third film, yo. The second film might feature Crimson Dynamo, if we’re all lucky. Though I wouldn’t mind seeing those old-time baddies like Blacklash or that Blizzard guy or Spymaster (who was responsible for Favreau’s character’s death in the comics) or that Ghost guy. I bet the redesign for those guys would rock, though.

Speaking of designs, the Iron Man suit has to be different this time around.

Can’t be the same suit over and over, because Tony’s always innovating, always improving- just like in the comics. But that’s just me and my wishful thinking. And since he always innovates and improves, he needs improvement juice- alcohol.

If there’s a defining story arch in the entire history of Iron Man, it would definitely have to be “Demon in a Bottle,” where Tony Stark battled his greatest adversary yet- alcoholism. I think it was teased by Favreau that this might reflect heavily on the next movie. If so, then HOLY SHIT, they might as well strap a few pounds of C4 onto my face, because they’re going to AWESOME my face off anyway.

But do you know what would make Demon in a Bottle storyline even more awesome? If Matt “Action” Fraction writes it. Yeah, they want him onboard. Oh, damn. I just came a little.

I think that’s all I’ve read so far. I can’t wait for the release. It’s still set for April 30, 2010, and with so much awesome going on, I’m thinking that might be too long a wait.