I fibbed a bit in the title above, and I’m sorry.  Technically though, Marvel still has yet to sign Jon Favreau and Robert Downey Jr. to direct and star in the inevitable (and already scheduled) sequel, so perhaps this post will prove prophetic…

For now, Variety is reporting that Marvel has chosen a new writer for the sequel in a move that continues to color the nascent studio as incredibly cheap bastards.  The delay in inking a deal with Favreau and Downey Jr. (moreso Favreau though) is reportedly related to issues of pay, and now Marvel has cut the four writers who penned Iron Man in favor of one… Justin Theroux.  The move obviously saves some cash, but one wonders why Marvel would opt to sever ties with writers who delivered one of the smarter (and more successful) superhero screenplays in recent memory.

Theroux is best known as an actor with a long list of TV and film credits.  His resume includes Charlies Angels: Full Throttle, Miami Vice, Strangers with Candy, and a small role as the Evil DJ in Ben Stiller’s Zoolander.  The Stiller connection continues as Theroux’s first foray into screenwriting produced the script for this summer’s most actionest comedy yet, Tropic Thunder.

Do you have any qualms with Justin Theroux being tapped to write the Iron Man sequel?