Wow, this is some pretty big news. NY Magazine is reporting that Jon Favreau has just informed Marvel he will not be directing Iron Man 3. Here’s a blurb:
“Marvel quietly began the process of finding a director to replace Favreau last night. But Marvel’s task is complicated by the fact that Downey Jr. has both contractually negotiated director approval and is currently the hottest leading man in Hollywood with first pick of dozens of "go" movies around town.”
And a little insider info as to why this decision may have been made:
“Still other industry insiders look at Favreau's growing price tag and speculate that he was getting too expensive for the frugal Marvel and its equally cost-conscious parent company, Disney. In fact, one Hollywood player familiar with Marvel's playbook theorizes that the company had been pushing a confusing and packed vision of the third film as a tactic to provoke Favreau into leaving the project.”
If this is true, I’ve got to say I think it’s a mistake. I understand that Favreau’s price tag has gone up significantly since the first Iron Man (he was paid something like $500,000 for the first film, then around $10 million for the second), but the man, along with RDJ, was the big reason why the two films were such huge successes. As hard as it is to believe that Marvel would try to get rid of him, Favreau’s recent comments to MTV News suggest there may be some truth to the report:
“In theory, Iron Man 3 is going to be a sequel or continuation of Thor, Hulk, Captain America and Avengers. 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.”
It sounds like he really has lost a little faith in the company and that, like the theory above suggested, Marvel might have been pushing a confusing storyline with the intention of making Favreau leave the project. Usually, it’s never a good idea to change directors mid-series when there’s still continuity between the films. And Favreau’s really proven himself over the past few years, so I’m kind of disappointed he won’t be involved with the project. Some people have actually been saying that Favreau has been upset at Marvel ever since they passed on him for The Avengers job.
What I'm really curious to see is how the rest of the cast and crew react to this news. Favreau had a good working relationship with all of them, so I can't imagine they'll be too thrilled. If Downey Jr. raises hell, Marvel might be in some serious trouble.
Marvel seems like it has Avengers diahrehea, and they're just running to the first toilet possible to poop it out. Well, maybe that's a tad extreme... but it doesn't seem like they're giving their franchises the creative time that they require. Tee hee... poop!
Replacing Bruce Banner (Hulk) in Avengers? Okay...
...but I don't think that Iron Man 3 will do so good when they have to replace Downey Jr. with another actor to play Stark when he leaves the movie because Disney/Marvel didn't hire Favreau to direct the movie.
I think the change can only be for the better. The real question is who would be more appropriate, from what we know?
Hmmm... good point there. They could take a step up though. Right...?
Things like this is why comics movie news articles read like tabloids. Something happened but nobody knows the real story until long after, if ever.
If you just cocked up the rest of the Iron Man movies (and maybe the rest of your movies in general) because you didn't wanna pony up a few extra bucks, you deserve everything you got comin', Marvel Studios.
I think it's the same thing with a lot of superhero movies. Example: I know nothing about Thor or Nick Fury. I'm not going to see Thor, but Nick Fury has me way excited. Why? Sam Jackson.
I also dont think Robert Downey Jr would leave as Iron Man either but if he did Marvel would have really shot themselves in the foot.
It's an opportunity cost. If Favreau is doing Iron Man 3, he's not doing movie Y, which may be offering him 11 million. The most likely reason he's expensive is that he's in demand.
I'm disappointed to see him go though. A lot of the character and style of the films are b/c of Favreau.