Downey Jr. Suits Up for Both 'The Avengers' and 'Iron Man 2'!
Filed under: Action, Casting, Fandom, Newsstand, Comic/Superhero/Geek, Remakes and Sequels
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Earlier this afternoon, Marvel sent out a press release officially announcing not only Jon Favreau's involvement as director on Iron Man 2 and executive producer on The Avengers, but also that as part of his four-picture deal, Robert Downey Jr. will indeed reprise the role of Tony Stark (aka Iron Man) in both Iron Man 2 (due out on May 7, 2010) and The Avengers movie due out July, 2011.
As far as The Avengers goes, here's the brief snippet included in the press release: "In a movie event, THE AVENGERS will bring together the super hero team of Marvel Comics characters for the first time ever, including Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, the Hulk and more, as they are forced to band together to battle the biggest foe they've ever faced." No director has been announced yet for that film, and Marvel did not say whether Edward Norton would reprise his role as well, though it's nice to see Favreau involved in some capacity. Of course, the presence of Downey Jr. will definitely do wonders for both Iron Man 2 and The Avengers ... and one imagines that fourth film would be Iron Man 3. The press release also goes on to officially announce the casting of Don Cheadle as Rhodey in Iron Man 2. Check out the full release after the jump.
What say you? Who should direct The Avengers now that Favreau is definitely out of the running?
MARVEL STUDIOS PRODUCTION UPDATE
ROBERT DOWNEY JR. AND JON FAVREAU SUIT UP FOR MARVEL STUDIOS' THE AVENGERS AND IRON MAN 2
As part of his four picture deal with Marvel Studios, Robert Downey Jr. is appearing as Tony Stark in THE AVENGERS motion picture, as well as reprising his starring role as the larger-than-life leading character in IRON MAN 2. Jon Favreau will return to direct the sequel to the blockbuster IRON MAN, which to date has grossed over $578 million worldwide, as well as executive produce THE AVENGERS.
Academy Award® nominee Downey was most recently seen in the summer comedy blockbuster TROPIC THUNDER starring opposite Ben Stiller and Jack Black. Before Iron Man, he was best known for his film roles in KISS KISS BANG BANG, WONDER BOYS and CHAPLIN, the film for which he was nominated for an Oscar®.
In addition to directing the first IRON MAN, Favreau has previously directed ELF, ZATHURA: A SPACE ADVENTURE and MADE. He is also well known for writing and starring in SWINGERS. He will next be seen acting in FOUR CHRISTMASES, I LOVE YOU MAN and COUPLES RETREAT.
DON CHEADLE WILL STAR AS RHODEY IN IRON MAN 2
Marvel Studios is pleased today to confirm that an agreement has been finalized with award-winning actor Don Cheadle to take on the role of Colonel James "Rhodey" Rhodes in Marvel's IRON MAN 2 due in theaters on May 7, 2010. In casting Cheadle, Marvel replaces Terrence Howard who appeared in the role of Rhodey in IRON MAN.
Cheadle is also signed on to perform the same role in THE AVENGERS and subsequent installments of the IRON MAN franchise.
"We are very excited about working with the extraordinarily talented Don Cheadle as we expand the role of Rhodey in Iron Man 2. It has already become apparent as we prep the movie for production, that the dynamic between Robert and Don will take Iron Man 2 to new heights," said Kevin Feige, President of Marvel Studios.
Cheadle is best known for his Oscar® nominated lead performance in HOTEL RWANDA as well as his role as Basher Tarr in the OCEAN'S franchise, CRASH and SWORDFISH.
Based on Marvel's iconic Super Hero, IRON MAN 2 continues the story of this summer's box office blockbuster IRON MAN, the first feature film produced independently by Marvel Studios. IRON MAN 2 will be produced by Marvel Studios' President, Kevin Feige, and executive produced by Louis D'Esposito, Jon Favreau, Stan Lee, David Maisel and Denis Stewart.
In a movie event, THE AVENGERS will bring together the super hero team of Marvel Comics characters for the first time ever, including Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, the Hulk and more, as they are forced to band together to battle the biggest foe they've ever faced.
The highly anticipated sequel to IRON MAN will be released in theatres on May 7, 2010 and THE AVENGERS will be released July 15, 2011. Both films will be distributed by Paramount Pictures.
Cheadle is represented by UTA. Downey and Favreau are represented by CAA.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
10-28-2008 @ 5:58PM
Mike23 said...
Wow this is great news for the Marvel franchise and DC is in some serious trouble.... I think with Downey signed on for the Avengers it won't be as difficult to bring back Norton (plus I feel Norton would feel more comfortable with a guy like Downey as an A-list actor). With regards to directors... I can only think of Bryan Singer. Sure people hated his Superman, but Xmen and X2 were extremely well done. He seems to have a good handle on divying up the screen time with multiple superheroes and the directing/action quality is definitely not lacking.
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10-28-2008 @ 6:22PM
jessejames_helton said...
This really comes as no surprise, but i still am extremly happy..Marvel has said that the next 5 years are going to be amazing and to watch out. Since opening their own production co. its clear that marvel is out to dominate, especially after the mediocre films that were put out leading upto Ironman (which is the first marvel film that was excellent, and that was done right.) As for who should direct The Avengers, its kinda tough, all i say is NEVER! NEVER! let Singer or Rattner near this! they both should have their film making rights revoked! To be bias to my own fav's im going to say Zach Snyder (cause he's the fuckin man) or Edgar Wright (cause he's also the fuckin man). anything these 2 touch will be well done and GOLD!! they both are fanboys and are well aware of the source material, and would work well with the cast and Favreau!! but thats just what i would love to see...who really knows...
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10-28-2008 @ 6:38PM
Nick said...
I doubt Norton will be pulled back in for any Hulk-related parts. He wasn't happy with the end result of Hulk, and when asked about the release date of the DVD edition coming up in the next week he just replied, "Oh, is it?"
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10-29-2008 @ 4:11PM
vegimorph said...
just bring Terence Howard back as Rhodes and it'll be perfect. Cheadle is a great actor but he doesn't seem very much like the character of Rhoades. usually if the original actor is replaced by a different actor for the same character, the series might suffer a little bit.
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10-28-2008 @ 8:32PM
Adam said...
It does suck that Howard won't be back but I'm gonna give Cheadle a chance. He's a great actor and it wouldn't be right to write him off before we see him as Rhodes. From what I've read Norton WILL be back for the Avengers, he just doesn't know what the plan is yet. I wish Favreau would direct but at least as an EP he'll still have some say in the film which is better than none at all. And of course I'm excited that Downey Jr has signed, he's pretty much Marvel's "Golden Boy" now and they have him to thank for all of this and I agree that his presence (as well as Norton's) will help in getting other top actors in line for Thor, Cap, Ant-Man, and The Avengers.
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10-29-2008 @ 1:59AM
Tash said...
Yeah, I too am excited at all of this news regarding Marvel and their future plans, but I do have some reservations and comments:
-I wish things could've worked out for Terrence Howard to come back in IM2. He fit the role perfectly. Not that Cheadle is a step down at all, but it's more of just a step to the side for the character of Rhodes.
-Casting for this film should be top-notch talent, not just big name movie stars. Of course, Downey Jr. and possibility of Ed Norton returning both bring the name and the talent, but the roles of Captain America and Thor need to be spot on. In watching SNL last weekend, someone needs to find a way for Jon Hamm to play Cap. America before WB scoops him up for Superman. As for Thor, no need for a name actor here either, so go with an unknown with talent.
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10-29-2008 @ 10:45AM
DAVID F said...
just some ideas for Avengers directors.....
Martin Campbell
Peter Berg
Marc Forster
Gore Verbinski
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10-30-2008 @ 10:04AM
The Pepto Pimp said...
Gore Verbinkski?!
An interesting choice. I never would have thought of that, but I think it's a good suggestion.
10-30-2008 @ 5:43PM
stephen said...
For Tash, take a look at Marvel message boards where some female happen to see an actor's auditioning for what may be of Captain America's role and even some photos of a Ben Ryan who is spot on to be a Steve Rogers/Captain America.
The acting skill and the physical body.
As for Thor, my suggestion was for Nathan Jones, the 6'11' wrestler/actor from "Fearless."
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