Favreau and Downey Jr Talk Iron Man Exclusive: On set of the '08 blockbuster
"To me what's appealing about Iron Man is that it's not a superhero movie set against a backdrop of teen angst. It's about an adult who has demons and is a very flawed hero, much like all the Marvel heroes". If John Favreau's words are anything to go by then we can expect an altogether more grown up comic book movie when his Iron Man touches down next May.
The film follows Tony Stark, a genius weapons manufacturer who is captured by enemy forces in the Gulf War and forced to build a super weapon, in the shape of a technologically advanced suit of armour that can fly, fire laser blasts and toast bread just right. Being a wiley sort, he steals said super weapon and uses it as both a life support system to help his dicky heart and a machine to transform him into crime fighter Iron Man.
"It deals with issue I have more to say about than how hard it is to fit in at high school or meet a girl," continues Favreau on the set of the summer blockbuster. “This is a guy who’s living a glamorous life in Hollywood…This may be a couple of notches above reality, but I know a little of that life”. For a film with grown up themes – as well as being a war hostage and Hollywood playboy, Stark also suffers from alcohol and drug addictions – Favreau had to choose a very grown up proper actor who’s faced a few of his own demons to play Stark. Step forward Robert Downey Jr.
"I see Tony Stark as the best and occasionally worst in Americans and citizens around the world," says Downey Jr. "He’s a brilliant guy, an inventor who can’t totally separate himself from the repercussions of the weapons he builds. There’s a real sense of honour and I know a thing or two about honour”.
So is there a political element to this particular comic book movie? “Y’know, even if there isn’t a political dimension to it, people are gonna project one on to it,” says Downey Jr. “I don’t see this as a bunch of limousine liberals trying to slip one past the bad guys. But the good news is, if it gets too heavy I can simply say, ‘Dudes, it’s a comic book. Will you relax?’”
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he's called spiderman silly, how could you forget? i was never a big fan of iron man, but still think it should be ok most comic book adaptions are, with the exception of spawn that was terrible...wouldn't mind seein a remake of that... ... Read More
The Mandarin will be the main villian i believe, i know they've cast him. Not sure how they'll be doing it, i know they're 'updating' the character. I'm not sure a villian with "magic rings" will fit in the iron man movie.
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Everything I have heard and read sounds good apart from one aspect ... who is the villain?
I know jeff Bridges is playing his dad, so is he the villain?
A la the Ultimate Iron Man comics?
And not unlike the Hulk movie with Bana and Nolte? ... Read More
I am soooo looking forward to this movie! It's got everything in terms of personell, Downey Jr as Tony Stark is the best peice of comic book casting since Djimon Honsou as the Black Panther..........wait..!! ... Read More
I don't get it. Is the device shining through his shirt? Or is it on top of his shirt? Does that mean he has to re-attach it every time he changes clothes? How would that keep his heart alive? ... Read More
... Superman Returns fucking sucked because they cast it too young. It generally seems that most films - Superhero or otherwise - feature the plight of teenagers these days. For example, Disturbia is nothing more than Rear Window meets Malcolm In The Middle. Here's hoping Iron Man sets a trend for films about adults. ... Read More
Favreau has been a favorite actor/writer of mine since Swingers and he's carving a really nice directing career for himself now. Robert Downey Jnr deserves MASSIVE respect for coming back from where he was, to headling Iron Man. He was amazing in Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. Bring this shit on!!! ... Read More
