Title: Iron Man 2
US release date: May 7, 2010
Iron Man 2 is an American superhero film based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name. Jon Favreau directed and Robert Downey, Jr., stars yet again, reprising the role of Tony Stark – an industrialized and master engineer, aka Iron Man.
Paramount Pictures, the movie distributor, has big plans. They have announced they are extending the movie into a three-parter. Looking back at how the first installment raked in close to US $600 million in gross revenue, the producers are more than willing to pony up what it takes for a trilogy. Production expenses head to toe have reached $200 million.
The supporting cast keeps old winners and brings in new blood. Don Cheadle (Lt. Colonel James ‘Rhodey’ Rhodes/War Machines) steps into Terrence Howard’s role in the first film. Mickey Rourke (Ivan Vanko/Whiplash) was offered the part during the 2009 Golden Globe awards, but the salary offer was a mere $250,000. Scarlett Johansson (Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow) takes that role since Emily Blunt was shown the stage door. Besides these new faces the tried and true ones are: Gwyneth Paltrow (Virginia “Pepper” Potts), Samuel L. Jackson (Nick Fury) and the director himself Jon Favreau (Happy Hogan).
The story line development rumors include questions about whether Jeff Bridges (Obadiah Stane/Iron Monger) will return and become the first sequel’s main villain.
We hear that Favreau also intends to explore Stark’s alcoholism more deeply, as the hero copes with aging, the aftermath of revealing he is Iron Man and Pepper getting a boyfriend.
To avoid the paparazzi stealing shots at the shoots, the team used the fake working title “Rasputin” to keep their whereabouts mum. The filming locations in California and southern Europe included the city of Pasadena’s Masonic Temple, Edwards Air Force Base and the 2009 Monaco Grand Prix. The pre-production process has been underway since July 2009.
The soundtrack is another interesting feature of the film packaging. Legendary band AC/DC has agreed to record it. The album was released April 19 in two versions: standard and deluxe. The deluxe includes a 15-track CD with a 32-page booklet and a DVD featuring exclusive interviews.
Of course, these days multimedia releases are ever more multi. The original cast is lending their voices for the characters in the video games. Sega has agreed to launch a game based on the film May 4. High Voltage Software is developing the Wii version and Gameloft is publishing the IM2 mobile game.
With all of these in store and in the store, this movie is impossible to resist. Enjoy the journey and adventure with a man in a powerful iron exoskeleton fighting for justice in the world. Don’t miss it!
Yoz Tanuwiria
