News
WonderCon: The Iron Man Presentation!
Source:Anthony Baratta
February 24, 2008
Here is Anthony Baratta's full rundown of the Iron Man presentation that took place at WonderCon 2008 in San Francisco on Saturday:
Jon Favreau discussed a wide range of themes about the movie and directing an action film.
He mentioned that he had spoken with Sharon Osborne about using Black Sabbath's song "Iron Man," and that it was approved (obviously since it's used in one of the trailers).
Jon talked about how they worked very hard to stay true to the original story line with "Iron Man" and while they needed to focus on the suit development, they were free to explore other twists and side plot developments. Marvel is a great company to work with. Because they are self-financed they do not feel they have to compromise on the plot and story.
He also discussed trying to get Robert Downey Jr. in the role of Tony Stark. He had to fight to get him cast. When the rumors started flowing about his casting and the fan base was extremely positive, that really helped sway the studio executives to hire Robert. John thinks Robert is a fantastic actor and person and was perfect for the role of Tony Stark.
Jon was very excited about the internet fan base and mentioned several times that the internet fans have guided and molded this project in subtle ways. He felt it was important to maintain a dialogue with the fans and listen to what they were saying. John is always checking out the fan sites and postings.
Jon was very knowledgeable about the "Iron Man" mythos and the multiple plot lines offered for a story by Marvel. One of his concerns was to stay true to the suit. The suit was the key to the movie. The costume/model designers (Stan Winston) crafted a very strong real life analog to the suit that was then enhanced with CG by ILM. He was amazed seeing some of the rendered scenes and was hard pressed to see the CG work that completed the suit's features. He called it "seamless".
Jon mentioned the effect that merchandising has on a movie. The toy companies are always looking for new things, and having 3 different suits of armor is key for them. Sequels are important to the merchandising effort. More types of armor – more toys.
One big difference between independent films and big budget films is re-use. Indie films try to re-use everything they can because of small budgets. Big budget films are not tied down like that, which leads to happy merchandisers.
Speaking of sequels, he is looking forward to making more "Iron Man" movies. Would like to deal with the war machine and demon in a bottle plot lines.
Loved working with the other cast members specifically spoke in glowing terms about Gwyneth Paltrow and Terrence Howard. Both were wonderful to work with.
He tried not to discuss the cross pollination with the other Marvel movies – would only mention that some of the rumors are true and others are not. Wanted to keep some more surprises in his bag for future use.
He showed several extended scenes from the movie. And the new 2.5-minute trailer that will be in front of "10,000 B.C." A 90 second trailer will be shown with "Lost" next week.
The first extended scene was Tony Stark working on one of the boots. He's talking to himself, or to the robot helping him, by holding a magnifying glass.
The second scene is Tony trying to fly with his new boots, and hand thrusters. First test throws him up and over equipment, and into a wall. He is then sprayed by one of his robots holding a fire extinguisher. (Note, the camera is held by one of his robots, and another robot is holding a fire extinguisher- he talks to them as if they are sentient.) Second test, before the test he dresses down the fire extinguisher robot about not spraying him. He is able to maneuver around the lab. Funny part as he goes over his car collection, the hoods get flamed by his thrusters. Finishes with the line from the trailer, "Yeah, I can fly."
The third scene is Tony in a full test suit (Mark II?) and going through a diagnostic check, then – against Jarvis's wishes he flies out into the open. Interestingly when we see Stark from inside, it's his full face within the heads up display. We don't get a view from inside the mask looking out. Shots of Iron Man flying through the city. Boot malfunctions and he crashes back into his house, through the floor and onto one of his classic cars. He is sprayed by the fire extinguisher robot.
The trailer shows Tony showing off a new weapon for the military. The test area is attacked and he is captured. Next scenes show Tony and Obadiah Stane (Jeff Bridges) talking. Obadiah demands Tony manufacture him something. Tony works a piece of metal manually with fire hammer and tongs to create an Iron Man mask. Tony is rescued and returns home to create the Iron Man suit. Shots of creation and testing. Then shots of Obadiah with original drawn plans from Stark for suit and proceeds to build one. Next set of scenes show Iron Man battling Iron Monger. Ends with the scene where Iron Man dodges the tank round and shoots it back. Walks away from tank, with Black Sabbath's Iron Man riff and tank explodes.
Jon talked about his full respect for action film directors in a CG world. They basically film a blank screen and fill in the rest with CG. He's a proponent of using CG to do things they can't do physically. And the want makes Iron Man work so well is that the suit is first and foremost a physical prop. The CG just enhances it.
Jon closed with that directors nowadays need a whole army of people to help them create a movie – so many things can go wrong - and he was grateful for all the fantastic people he had working on Iron Man.
To listen to Favreau talking about Iron Man at WonderCon, click here. Pictures of the event can be viewed here!
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Posted by: Yonix on February 24, 2008 at 14:57:33
Like many other people I've been on top of this movie - and it's development - since the beginning, and I have to say that I really like the way Jon Favreau is handeling the project.
When I read the interviews or hear him talk about ''Iron Man'', it confirms that he is the right man for the job - supported by a great cast and crew.
I'm a real comic book fan and I have no doubt that this movie is going to rock our socks off!
Jon Favreau, I applaud you!
Posted by: Ellis on February 24, 2008 at 15:00:21
This film is going to be awesome.Mark II ARMOUR LOOKS SICK.roll on May 2nd.
Posted by: Compi716 on February 24, 2008 at 15:36:03
Nice. Everything sounds fantastic so far.
Posted by: kurotsurugi on February 24, 2008 at 16:23:49
I have long since stated that this will be the bets comic book movie to date. Favreau has always been a genius to me, Robert Downey Jr is a great actor and one of my all time favorites, and Terrence Howard is Perfect for War Machine, though they aren't going completely for it yet. This movie will be the end all. I just wish i was so confident about my fav marvel character the Hulk. Maybe Favreau can take the helm on that next lol!
Posted by: Jason C. Brand on February 24, 2008 at 16:33:46
I was there at this presentation, and it was indeed quite awesome. Thanks for this rundown (I may link to it on my LJ if that's okay).
Posted by: Metal Will on February 24, 2008 at 17:05:50
I would like to see jon direct some other heroes. Maybe captain america . He seems to really give a damn about the core fanbase and the heroes past and reputation in the comics. Hell, I'd like to see Jon direct a new spider-man movie.
Posted by: Guest_1001 on February 24, 2008 at 17:12:19
"against Jarvis's wishes he flies out into the open."
Have I missed a major piece of casting!? Since when has Jarvis been in the movie?
Posted by: ALBERT on February 24, 2008 at 17:28:45
This is gonna be badass. Ive been waiting for so long. I wish it was May already.
Posted by: shroud on February 24, 2008 at 18:01:48
The Jarvis thing suprised me to, i hope that is true. Cutting him out for being to much like Alfred is stupid.
I want Alfred and Jarvis in a fillm together head to head action packed explosiganza.
The robots also make me happy. That makes it like a more technologicly advanced world, like the marvel universe. Like a world inhabited by people like Richards, Stark, Banner or even Doom would be. A place someone could make something like Iron Man armor.
Posted by: I7eIVIoNBoY on February 24, 2008 at 18:25:18
tenth!
Posted by: TTRYGHF on February 24, 2008 at 18:47:43
Eleventh!! OMG! THIS MOVIE is gonna RAWK!
Posted by: Aethyrr on February 24, 2008 at 18:50:48
I read somewhere that the tank scene looks a whole lot better on this..? Is it true..?
Posted by: Annoyed on February 24, 2008 at 19:19:35
Can the people who submit these articles please not write like morons anymore? Feel free to finish your sentence instead of leaving it as a fragment. Sloppy children, I think it's time I drop this site and go elsewhere if they seem to care so little for the quality of their work.
Posted by: jd on February 24, 2008 at 19:21:39
didnt tony stark have a bad heart? and the iron man suit helps him stay alive, plus he's an alcoholic. So far from what jon faverus interviews and the trailers it doesnt sound like its not going to be in the movie, why? that is one of the most intereting things about the character. Still looking forward to this movie though.
Posted by: Bobo on February 24, 2008 at 20:01:44
Sounds amazing! The "bikini babes" getting cut from the final version is the ONLY bad news I've heard so far. That's why they make extra features on the DVD I guess.
Jon Favreau is an extremely intelligent film maker.
Posted by: anteros on February 24, 2008 at 20:46:00
@jd: The whole heart thing is part of the movie. We've seen that in trailers. They're saving his alchohol problem for the sequel, which makes sense because he'll have to deal with the stress of being both Iron Man and Stark. It would make the origin movie way too conflicted. It's an origin movie so it's meant to first introduce the character so we learn who he is all about. Then in the sequel, he can be put to further trials. Stop asking for everything in a single movie, god.
Posted by: Vapor Death on February 24, 2008 at 20:58:14
JD, this is the first of many movies. Tony will become the alcoholic we all know and may be not love. Thats why I think Favreau and Downey are going to make this a great series for Marvel. Downey will use his own personal experiences to bring Tony Stark to life. I think you are going to see one of the best comic book stories other than the Batman Begins series. I believe this will out due spiderman in a heart beat. I CANT WAIT!!!
Posted by: Tony on February 24, 2008 at 21:10:19
Umm.. i don't have much to say. I just wanna say
that if you vote for me, all of your wildest dreams will come true. Vote for Pedro
Anyways... I'm really expecting this movie to be a lot better than anything marvel put out last year. Even Spiderman 3.
Posted by: Zolland on February 24, 2008 at 21:10:22
I wish DC was self-managed. The big wigs seems to destroy everything over there while Marvel can make amazing movies. Whhhhhhhyyyyyyyy!
Posted by: anthony on February 24, 2008 at 23:12:12
i have respect for jon faverauuuu lol cause he is a great and talented writor/director/actor jon is gonna bust this movie wide open and in the process make all us marvel fans very happy he did so. as well as making marvel happy and thus more great movies !!!! so the vicious cycle of mark steven johnson will finally come to an end!!! thanks jon you rock man!!!!
Posted by: citizenpain on February 24, 2008 at 23:29:23
jon's awesome... he's come a long way from swingers. this movie is gonna be money baby!
Posted by: clark on February 24, 2008 at 23:51:35
i've got to say that this will be an instant classic...I wouldn't be surprised if this movie along with the Dark Knight will blow all the critics who said comics and comic movies are for kids out of the way and prepare the way for other titles! they'll have to eat their words!
i'm seriously gonna scream like a girl at the end of this movie...it's gonna rock my face off!
Posted by: the wolf on February 24, 2008 at 23:52:14
ironman>>>>>>dark knight
Posted by: Johny B on February 25, 2008 at 00:05:04
cant wait for this movie
Posted by: Metal Will on February 25, 2008 at 00:35:10
this movie is going to own big time and i'm psyched as hell for it, but i'm still more hyped for TDK. maybe it's b/c batman's my favorite ever, iron man's still up there. I still got my old skool iron man action figures for the old cartoon!!
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