With the release of Iron Man 2 just a few days away, hype has reached its critical mass. At Player Affinity Movies, we wanted to cut through some of the clutter (clips, images, promos etc.) and give you just ten things to know before you head to theaters for this much-anticipated sequel to the 2006 smash.
Iron Man 2 has already earned $100 million internationally
If there was any doubt as to this sequel's financial potential, those skeptics can now eat their words. Having launched a week early overseas in 53 markets, Iron Man 2 blasted up $100.2 million over five days. This earlier opening outside of North America was a strategic plan to create a buffer before the World Cup begins on June 11.
Budgeted at around $200 million, Marvel should be very pleased with these early results, as should IMAX with its screenings grossing an estimated $2.5 million. This is the highest non-3D opening surpassing last summer's Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.
The plot will include elements from over 600 issues of the comic
With Justin Theroux taking over the screenwriter role for Iron Man 2, it seems like the boy has done his homework. Reportedly, he read over four decades worth of the Iron Man comic books for inspiration, so don’t be surprised if you see a whole cornucopia of forgotten story elements and in-references.
Theroux previously scripted Tropic Thunder, which garnered Downey Jr. a best supporting actor Oscar nomination.
Nick Fury will be a spy, sponsor, mentor... and will kill someone
Before you soil yourself out of excitement from the mere thought of Samuel L. Jackson’s Nick Fury wasting someone, it may not be in this summer blockbuster.
"Nick does boss people around," Jackson said of his character, "But every now and then, he does kill somebody. [He will] shoot somebody. I'd like for him to do something eventually."
With the key word being eventually, fans can cross their fingers that Nick will go Pulp Fiction on some baddies sooner rather than later. But with Jackson
“[He] becomes the entry point to connect Tony Stark to the agency called S.H.E.I.L.D. and, thereby, the rest of the Marvel Universe, with Captain America
So for Nick Fury fans out there, this is good news indeed. And frankly, every movie can use a little more Samuel L. Jackson.
Pepper and Tony will kiss
The sexual chemistry in the first Iron Man between billionaire chauvinist Tony Stark and his dainty assistant Pepper Potts (played by Gwyneth Paltrow) was so tense you could cut it with a Q-Tip. For those who couldn’t bear another whole film of innuendo and hidden feelings you needn’t wait much longer.
It has been confirmed that they will share a kiss in Iron Man 2. That playfulness carried off screen as Downey
“I couldn't get her off me. It was embarrassing.”
And if you thought the kiss-less interplay between our iron maiden and Tony in Iron Man was unbearable, while filming their upcoming smooch, both Paltrow’s husband Chris Martin and Downey Jr.’s wife Susan were on set at the time.
Stan Lee and Olivia Munn’s roles have been revealed
All the buzz thus far seems to indicate there will be more cameos than action scenes in Iron Man 2. Joining the club will be comic book icon Stan Lee who has appeared in 11 theatrical adaptations of his source material in small roles including the original Iron Man. Collider reported that Lee will appear as Larry King. The scene will have him asking Tony when he will finally agree to appear on his show.
G4 Host Olivia Munn was originally buzzed to appear as one of the Avengers either as Scarlet Witch or Wasp. Instead, it looks as if Munn will ironically play a television personality, reporting from an event Tony is attending as an on-air correspondent.
There will be a new suit(s)
With Tony Stark having donned three sets of armor in the original, the introduction of a Mark IV suit and beyond in Iron Man 2 is really the only logical progression.
While subtle, changes to the suit include a more downward-angled abdominal area, more angular bicep pieces, redesigned thigh armor with more gold than red, redesigned gauntlets, fuller shoulders and narrower boots giving the suit a slimmer more advanced appearance.
All eyes are also on the "suitcase armor" shown in the theatrical trailer and on many of the TV spots. If you haven’t checked it out yet scroll down to the very bottom of this page to watch the clip.
Coupled with the War Machine armor sported by Don Cheadle’s Col. James Rhodes, this movie promises to have its share of metallic mutilation.
Captain
I will say no more than that until after the jump.
Spoliers
After Nick Fury’s appearance in Iron Man and Stark’s cameo in The Incredible Hulk it should really come as no surprise that Easter eggs are abound in this sequel as well. Although details are still fuzzy, multiple sources have indicated that Captain America’s shield will be shown along with Thor’s hammer. Thus begins the final ramp-up to The Avengers in 2012.
There is another after-credits scene (Spoilers)
Again matching what worked in its predecessor, Iron Man 2 will also have an after credits scene. It will serve as a bridge, much like the introduction of Nick Fury, to the upcoming Thor movie, the next of Marvel’s long line-up to be released.
Here is the low-down *SPOILERS*:
We see a black car drive through the dessert of New Mexico. They make sure to tell us it's New Mexico by showing a close-up of the license plate which reads 8RE 2Z1 New Mexico. The car door opens and Agent Coulson walks up to a giant crater. There are trucks driving around a big hole in the crater. Agent Coulson turns around, gets on the phone and says, "Sir. We've found him." The camera then cuts to a shot of Thor's hammer stuck in the ground in the middle of the crater.
There you have it. Thor (while not in body) does grace the screen. So to all those inclined to make it to the parking lot while it’s calm may want to stay in their seats this time around.
An "Iron Man 3" will happen
If you’re Iron-Man crazy right now and can’t seem to get enough hype, then there is more good news coming your way. Star Robert Downey, Jr. has confirmed Iron Man will return for a threequel but not until after The Avengers movie is completed.
"I think it's (Iron Man 3) going to go down”. Downey Jr. tells MTV. “(Although The Avengers is) supposedly first on (Marvel's) docket. I have some pretty strong ideas, but they never seem to be too discordant with what the creative execs at Marvel are thinking anyway. It's all there (in the comic books). There's a little bit of a bunch of different storylines from different decades."
So there is plenty to look forward to on the Iron Man front with at least two more films starring our metal-clad hero in the next three or four years.
There are clips galore…
Between TV spots, trailers and exclusives there is enough awesome promo material out there to power the Iron Man suit. So peruse as your own peril. Extended exposure to the following can cause drooling, dry eyes and rapid heartbeat.
Trailer:
IMAX Trailer:
AC/DC Music Video - 'Shoot To Thriller’:
Behind-the-Scenes Sneak Peek & Clip (France):
TV Spot 1:
TV Spot 2:
TV Spot 3:
Villain Featurette:
Suitcase Armour:
Director Interview:
Other Tidbits:
Al Pacino was considered for the role of Justin Hammer, which then went to Sam Rockwell.
Emily Blunt was set to star as Black Widow, but had to pull out due scheduling conflicts with her movie Gulliver's Travels.
Scarlett Johansson dyed her hair red before she even got the part of Black Widow because she wanted the role so bad.
Before Scarlett Johansson finally replaced Emily Blunt as Black Widow, actresses Jessica Biel, Gemma Arterton, Natalie Portman, Jessica Alba, and Angelina Jolie were considered for the part.
This is Jon Favreau's first sequel as a director and as an actor.
Favreau said the film would explore Stark's alcoholism, but it would not be "the Demon in a Bottle version” from the comics.
