WTF: Iron Man 2 Soon?

Posted by Kevin Carr (kevin@filmschoolrejects.com) on May 7, 2008

Iron Man 2 Soon

I’m sure all of the Rejects were watching the movie news this weekend, drinking in the box office glory that was Iron Man. I’ll admit it was a great way to kick off the summer, and there’s plenty of other anticipated films on the way.

But amid all the news stories about how the year’s first superhero flick topped $100 million for the weekend, there was already buzz on Iron Man 2. And that led me to think…

What the fuck?

Don’t get me wrong. I’m looking forward to Iron Man 2 as much as the next fanboy, and our illustrious Executive Editor Neil Miller has pointed out to me that part of what made Iron Man the closest thing to a cinematic superhero orgasm was that director Jon Favreau was planning a three-movie character arc.

But isn’t Hollywood jumping the gun just a bit.

After all, this isn’t the first time that the industry has promised a sequel. And they don’t always deliver. Can’t they let the dust settle a bit before having Robert Downey Jr.’s personal trainer waking him up in the morning?

Films like The Lord of the Rings and the Harry Potter series were destined to have sequels, so I figure it was wise to either shoot them simultaneously or consecutively. But to start planning sequels before the butter cooled on the popcorn is a bit much.

Let’s put on the brakes a bit, fanboys. A lot can happen to derail a sequel. You could have a string of superhero movie bombs (like how The Hulk came close to killing these films in 2003). Or you could have shifting cast and crew (like how Superman’s return spent decades in development hell). Or you could just have script trouble (like how an Indy IV had been rumored since the early 90s, but it took them almost 20 years to nail down a plot).

In fact, the worst thing that could happen would be to fast-track a sequel without a decent script. The Hollywood landscape is littered with weak sequels to good films from Porky’s and Charlie’s Angels to Jaws and Ghostbusters.

Release date or not, unless there’s a solid script and film is running through the camera, I don’t trust any movie’s rumored existence. We’ve been burned before.

Just enjoy the success of Iron Man for now. We can start hyping the movie later.

Sound off: Will an Iron Man sequel be more awesomeness or stink like Tony Stark’s breath in the morning?

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tha plow

i'm not that worried. most of the charm of iron man was in downey's performance. with the amount of iron man material that they have to mine and the fact that they have set up war machine and starks drinking, they have a potential story that could knock our socks off. i'm just worried about the third one!

Josh Radde

I'm most worried about Terrence Howard being War Machine (if that's the way it pans out). Howard was lacking in enthusiasm in the movie, I just can't see a character like his itching to put on that suit.

Bradley Kreft

yea its like Transformers, it doesnt NEED a sequel, but it can still have one. will the hype still be there for more Iron Man after the excitement for this one was unique because we hadnt seen Downey Jr as Iron Man before?

kenny

I think they should wait until this movie runs its course before thinking sequel. to be realistic ironman does not have a lot of stories that would interest the non superhero knowing public other than his alcoholism story and maybe war machine. the madarin will not have those magic rings if he appears.

Kevin Gustafson

Definitely wait and pick the right story direction. The first movie leaves many directions for the story to go.

michael

If what you say is true and there was really an original 3 story arc, then ok, I'm game, bring it on. They'd do it anyway, just to get more money (I'm looking at YOU Transformers 2). Planning far ahead for this works. I love Marvel and most every thing they put out (although Man-Thing was more than disappointing) but if Iron Man 3 goes the way of Martix Revolutions...oy. They'll have a lot of 'esplainin' to do! But who knows, maybe they're going to tie in the overall Avengers thing and it'll be a massive fanboy cinimatic dream. Fingers firmly crossed...

WTF: Iron Man 2 Soon?

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