Iron Man 2, Marvel too cheap, no Fav, WTF?

[pg13myass]

From IESB.com

IESB Breaking News: Will Jon Favreau Direct Iron Man 2?!
Written by Robert Sanchez
Tuesday, 10 June 2008
You won't believe what Marvel Studios is contemplating, shame on you David Maisel!


Marvel Studios is sitting on top of the world with the recent success of Iron Man so far taking in over $535 million in worldwide box office receipts. So why hasn’t Marvel locked in Jon Favreau to direct the sequel Iron Man 2?
It's been known since the release of Iron Man that director Jon Favreau had not yet been officially signed on to direct Iron Man 2. Kevin Feige during our edit bay visit of the Incredible Hulk mentioned that they were in negotiations, several producers have confirmed the same to several different news outlets, so the question is why isn't he locked in yet?

About a week ago, the IESB was tipped off by a junior source at Marvel Studios that there had been some delays with Jon's negotiations regarding the sequel. When asked why I was told that Marvel and Favreau hadn't been able to come to terms regarding money.

At first I thought my source was full of shit and I dismissed it as a rumor. This last Friday I was contacted by another source at Marvel and this one, let's just say, is much higher up on the food chain, and told me that the chairman of Marvel Studios David Maisel who has been in charge of negotiating new terms with Favreau is being cheap and not willing to pay a fair directors' fee.

Favreau was a bargain to begin with, he is after all a fairly new director even though he has had several commercially successful films under his belt when he was brought aboard Iron Man for a steal.

Don't know exact numbers but I am sure that it wasn’t a Michael Bay/Brett Ratner/Bryan Singer paycheck. He had to prove himself after all and looking at what the box office and DVD sales are going to bring in, around $750-800 million, I'd say he did his job well, very well.

So according to our source at Marvel, Jon was expecting a moderate bump in his fee for the sequel but apparently Marvel has other plans.

Our source continues that Maisel believes Iron Man 2 will be a success regardless of Favreau's involvement and feels the studio does not need to pay Jon a higher fee for his services.

This is the most disappointing news that I have heard coming out of Hollywood in years, is Marvel out of their Vulcan mind?

So bottom line, Jon Favreau has not been locked in to direct Iron Man 2 for the simple reason that Marvel is being cheap - this is 100% accurate folks, no bullshit.

This is completely disheartening. Iron Man was the first real Marvel production on their own two feet and Favreau came through like a champ. He gave credibility to the studio, hell, I'd even say he MADE the studio.

If that movie had bombed and he hadn't done his job right Marvel wouldn't be making the plans for the future like they are now. They would be going back to making films with other studio partners like they always have.

It's time for Marvel to return the favor - give the guy his fee (which I hear is the regular standard director's fee, no more), bring him back and kick some ass with IRON MAN 2!

I've contacted Marvel Studios who quickly asked us to contact their publicists over at Principal Communication Group for comment.

In regards to the March production start date that Terrence Howard talked about in his interview with Military.com, Paul Pflug from Principal Communications gave us a standard "no comment."

So what about Jon coming back to direct Iron Man 2?

The official statement is that they are still negotiating with Favreau.

Interesting…negotiations huh? Take a look at what Favreau posted on his official MySpace page just yesterday:

It’s been five weeks since the one and only phone call my reps have gotten from Marvel. I know their hands are full with the Hulk and I’m sure they will get into it shortly, as they tell me they intend to. I ran into the Marvel guys at the Hulk premiere and everyone sounded eager to get to work on IM2.

I am concerned, however, about the announced release date of April 2010. Neither Robert nor I were consulted about this and we are both concerned about how realistic the date is in light of the fact that we have no script, story or even writers hired yet. This genre of movie is best when it is done thoughtfully and with plenty of preparation. It might be better to follow the BB/DK, X/X2 three year release pattern than to scramble for a date. It is difficult because there are no Marvel 09 releases and they need product, but I also think we owe it to the fans to have a great version of IM2 and, at this point, we would have less time to make it than the first one."

One call five weeks ago is not what I consider "negotiations."

Enough said. I have double checked with my sources again at Marvel who are sticking to their story, negotiations - if you want to call them that - are not going well.

END OF ARTICLE

So, I haven't seen Iron Man yet. I don't know if I have the right to make any comment regarding the state of the sequel, Marvel, and Favreau. I do know that watching the trailers and sneak peak footage, that it looks to be well done, highly entertaining and a well rounded movie. Now that I have heard so much positive feedback since its release that it is ranked up there with the original Superman and Batman Begins, that tells me a whole lot. And that whole lot is that Favreau respecting the material and giving it the treatment it deserves to make it better than below average fare.

Hell, I was shocked to hear people rave as much to claim it is far better than all the Spider Man movies! So, the guy deserves a pat on the back for putting Marvel on the position that its in right now. And he deserves the right to negotiate a bit more money. I'm sure he isn't asking for insane amounts. But, what the hell is Marvel thinking when they think the franchise can do much better without Favreau???? Imagine what it'd be like if DC decided to snuff Nolan off the success of Batman Begins and replace him with Brett Ratner?!?

Things like this just tell me why I like my DC characters more(excluding the later Superman sequels and Schumacher Batman). I've been feeling nothing but average about most of the stuff Marvel's released on film. The first two Spider Man movies were their standard. And now I suppose Iron Man has set that bar higher for themselves to top and maintain that success.

So, should Favreau not return for Iron Man 2, I hope Downey backs him up and says no to Iron Man 2 as well. And I also hope that the fans who saw the first agree enough to not flock the theaters to prove Marvel right that they can just get anyone else.

[dellamorte dellamore]

Hmm , they do have a point , although at this point i'm sure it's all about negotiation and semantics . Did anyone rush out and see Ironman because Fav. directed it , i bet most people didn't know or even care who did ( save for the internet and comic book geeks ), they wanted to see it anyway .

The same will hold true for the sequel , a small minority will care if Fav isn't the director of the second one , but i doubt it will adversely affect the box office returns , most people have already made their mind up , they are seeing the sequel regardless . Downey you need , but even then , they could probably get away with someone else , i don't see either one of these guys as indispensable in this universe .

I'm sure they are both coming back though , this is all part of the bargaining process , if they show their cards too soon , they'll have to pay him even more than he may have originally wanted, make him think he did great but that they can always get someone to take his place . They do it in sports all the time , this is no different .

I haven't seen it yet , but personally i would be one of the people that would want to see the sequel if Fav didn't come back , he's just seems a bit too hackish for my tastes .

[corran horn]

I have a hard time believing Marvel could be this stupid. Favreau and his team created one of the best Marvel hero films, and they're too stingy to pay him what he's owed. This sounds like what New Line did to Peter Jackson, and look what happened to them.

If Marvel reads forums like this, and they probably do given that we're a large part of their fanbase, they'd better steel themselves for a firestorm, not to mention clogged inboxes. This isn't like the 80s, when the Salkinds fired Richard Donner. Fans of these movies are now a major financial force, and it would be unwise to anger them like this. Warner Bros learned that the hard way with Batman and Robin. Hopefully, Marvel will correct themselves.

[Bonham]

I disagree about Downey. If he's not back, I don't think theres an Iron Man II. Another director, Pepper, or Terrance Howard would be do-able, but not another Stark. Downey is Stark.

[electriclite]

I'm not a fan of the Iron Man comics and knew barely anything about the characters aside from what I gathered while playing that Marvel game on the PS2 with all the Marvel superheros. Despite this I ended up liking the film because it provided great, full-bodied entertainment for those who know the comic backwards and forwards and for those who knew squat, and a good amount of that credit should go to Favreau. Let's not forget, he okayed the casting of Downey and more than likely fought for that decision. A while back comic fans were cocking eye-brows and scratching their heads at the decison and now its all "Downey was born to play Stark!"

The man needs to come back. It may not guarantee the same perfection as the first film, but its a better shot than hiring someone else who has to re-learn the terrain, in LESS time than Favreau had, and coming out with an inferior product where the argument will go on forever of how "They Should've Just Gave Favreau the Bump up with the Cash."

Kinda like the Indiana Jones:KOTC jokes regarding the "lost" Darabont script.


Stop dicking around Marvel and give the man his money!

[xseanymacx]

Favreau was the reason I was so pumped up about Iron Man. But this franchise is nothing without Fav or Downey. Simple as that.

[adamjohnson]

Knowing RDJ, he might not do IRon Man 2 if Favs isnt directing.

[Dorkside]

I hope Favreau is brought back, but it's Downey who makes Iron Man what it is. As long as they get a somewhat competent director I think Iron Man 2 will be deliver with or without Favreau.

[pg13myass]

Unless it's a very established director, a well-respected director that replaces Favreau, I don't see Downey, Jr. jumping back on without Favreau.

[DarthWade]

Knowing RDJ, he might not do IRon Man 2 if Favs isnt directing.

I hope he threatens to walk if they don't get Fav back. They did a good job with this (and it shows) so why ruin a good thing? Marvel is getting it's act together and are on the verge of something really good here - they better watch out that they don't shoot themselves in the foot.

So people, how many months until we see: Ratner in talks to direct Iron Man 2???

[Moviefan1234]

Knowing RDJ, he might not do IRon Man 2 if Favs isnt directing.

He's bound by contract to do at least two more films. I don't believe this for one second. Marvel isn't stupid, Favreau will be back.

[adamjohnson]

He's bound by contract to do at least two more films. I don't believe this for one second. Marvel isn't stupid, Favreau will be back.

Oh, I think Jon and Robert will both be back. BUT, if on the off chance Favs isnt asked to return, Im willing to bet Robert will be very unhappy and we'll hear a lot about him not wanting to come back.

[LordSimen]

Sounds to me like the two are just doing hardball negotiations with each other. I'm sure we'll see a resolution reached at some point in the next few weeks. They can't wait too long if they want to stay true to that 2010 release date.

[InvaderZim]

Iron Man wouldn't have ben half as good without Fav.. He proved his skills in Zathura and was a big reason why i trusted him with iron man. If he dosent come back Marvel will loose cred amongst the hardcore fan base.. and if he dosent return i hope the sequel tanks..

[The Postmaster General]

Jon should just walk down to the studio and go all ultimate fighter on their asses.

This is pretty silly. On one hand you have Bay and the writers of Transformers going "Oh, maybe we'll do it, maybe not" and fans going "Okay, see yeah!" -- Then you have this.

[thedudeman69]

Marvel IS stupid. They greenlit Ang Lee's Hulk, and look what happened. If they greenlight this sequel without Jon F., then we should bash the hell out of marvel.

I personally think that Jon F. is getting thrown under the bus because he is not that established as some other action directors. I mean yes, he does have hit films, but he was only known as a B list actor before Iron Man, and now he is A-List.

[Shockwave]

Marvel needs to wake up and realize when they have a winning team.

[Grand_Marquis]

So they'd rather ride out the popularity wave for one extra, probably-crap film, rather than put out a second good one and keep that wave going for three or four films?

Are they retarded?

[BanksIsDaFuture]

I hope Favreau is brought back, but it's Downey who makes Iron Man what it is. As long as they get a somewhat competent director I think Iron Man 2 will be deliver with or without Favreau.

Co-sign, I think Favreau's directing was the weak link in Iron Man. It was just so bland; now without RDJ, Iron Man wouldn't be anything.

[LordSimen]

Co-sign, I think Favreau's directing was the weak link in Iron Man. It was just so bland; now without RDJ, Iron Man wouldn't be anything.

You forget that much of that "fun" quality everyone raved about when Iron Man came out was due not only to Robert Downey Jr. but also the fact that Favreau, as a comedian, knows comedic timing. And it shows in the movie.

[Grand_Marquis]

You also have to take RDJ into consideration with this. He was able to do a lot of what he did because of the director. Not the other way around. Lose one and you kind of lose the spirit of the other.

Trust me, if Fav doesn't direct the sequel, people will be walking out of ironman 2 going, "Jeez, Robert Downey Jr. really phoned that one in..."

[Shockwave]

Trust me, if Fav doesn't direct the sequel, people will be walking out of ironman 2 going, "Jeez, Robert Downey Jr. really phoned that one in..."

Ive got a feeling that if Fav isnt directing Robert Downey wont be back at all.

[dellamorte dellamore]

I'll be glad , i know i'm in the minority but the star and the director are two of the reasons i didn't care to watch Ironman .

How does everyone know Ironman wouldn't have been even better without either one . It's like the Tobey / Raimi lovefest after Spiderman . Everyone said they couldn't picture either of them not being involved with that film , it wouldn't have worked , according to them . We don't know that for sure .

This is the same situation , how do you know the film won't be even better without Fav and or Downey . T Jane comes to mind as a terrific Tony Stark without the wink and nod and snarky attitude .

I'm hoping they do get someone else to direct but i doubt it , and i'll definitely watch the sequel if they do , that is if they don't go real cheap and hire Uwe Boll , i have my limits .

[Shockwave]

I'll be glad , i know i'm in the minority but the star and the director are two of the reasons i didn't care to watch Ironman .

.


Dammit DD! Have u still not seen it!?

Go watch the movie already!:)

[electriclite]

Marvel IS stupid. They greenlit Ang Lee's Hulk, and look what happened.


It made over $240 million?

[dellamorte dellamore]

Dammit DD! Have u still not seen it!?

Go watch the movie already!:)

I'll wait for dvd :)

[Shockwave]

I'll wait for dvd :)

U better!

If i could go see Speed Racer(and really enjoy it 7/10) u can at least give this one a chance.:mad::)

Id actualy like Fav to do a GOOD Fantastic Four movie. Fuck the last two. Start from scratch.

[dellamorte dellamore]

TDK is really the only must see movie of the summer for me , i was never that interested in Ironman , the movie or the comic .

Like i said though , i was on the fence about it already because of Fav and Downey , that was a deal breaker for me . That's why i'm in no rush to see it . I might before it's out of theaters , which should be soon .

[pg13myass]

U better!

If i could go see Speed Racer(and really enjoy it 7/10) u can at least give this one a chance.:mad::)

Id actualy like Fav to do a GOOD Fantastic Four movie. Fuck the last two. Start from scratch.

That is actually one of the best ideas!! Now, if only Marvel would take your advice.

[Shockwave]

That is actually one of the best ideas!! Now, if only Marvel would take your advice.
Yeah, i just think hes proven he can handle the action/comedy/drama thing all at once with IRON MAN.

I think he would be a fantastic(no pun intended) pick to restart that series with.

I would also love to see a GOOD Ghost Rider movie. Del Toro would be a top notch pick for that one in my opinion.

[AndrewDB]

I have a hard time believing Marvel could be this stupid.

Sadly, I don't.

[pg13myass]

Sadly, I don't.

I feel your pain Andrew. Like Shockwave says, if we can get a guy like Favreau to direct say, FF, it'd be much more entertaining then what that other guy did. And I think he'd cast someone more appropriate for the role of Sue Richards. Not the ever glass eyed Mrs. Alba-Warren.

I also think if Del Toro did Ghost Rider, he'd get someone better than Cage and his usual bad wigs.

[soda]

few things:

-first off, as I'm sure most of you on here know, Marvel didn't "greenlight" the Ang Lee Hulk, that was way before marvel studios and marvel making it's own movies. In fact, Iron Man was the first marvel film released by marvel.

-second, marvel, historically speaking, doesn't give a rat's ass about what it's "fans" think. This is a hot button topic amongst comic book people, because Marvel doesn't consider itself a "comic book" company. This is not me making something up, according to marvel's own words, they are a "character licensing company". Marvel has always been the company that has chased the big payday, and worried about the fallout of that later. In the early part of this century, Marvel and Joe Quesada were on a crusade to elimanate the comic book as a medium and the comic book store as an entity (preferring trade paperbacks and bookstores), wisely, marvel turned that around when they realized that business model wasn't working.

-Third, you guys, as movie fans, are, in the next few years, going to get a huge dose of what is a day to day reality for comic book fans. That is, your favorite creative team is working on your favorite book for a bunch of issues, you're liking to heck out of it, and then, suddenly, one day, your favorite book has Joe Schmo and his pal, Fred, working on it. I remember what happened a couple of months ago when Gail Simmone left Birds of Prey, the book plummetted in sales without anyone even giving the new writer a chance. I remember seeing an issue of the book with Simmone's name on it a month later, being happy she was back, only to have my comic book store guy say "nope, sorry, that's a typographic error." He had that exact scenario play out with over ten people just that one day. Marvel has generally not been very good at retaining it's best people, they aren't pixar, and old habits die hard. Marvel, as a corporate entity, is no longer the company that Stan Lee and Jack Kirby built, and, as a fan, that's very sad.

-four, when you have a film that looks like it might pull over 300 million domestic box (outside shot right now) you don't sack the creative team. If they want a reasonable pay increase, you pay it for the good job that they did, and you milk that cow some more. Fav and RDJ was a combo that worked, and in the movie business, that's very hard to find. As movie people are fond of pointing out to me, movies are far more expensive to make than comics are. If Joe Schmo and Fred don't work out on a book, Marvel can cancel it, or give it to someone else, and the cost of changing direction won't bankrupt the company, it's just a comic book. However, movies don't work that way, and I'm not sure Marvel is fully aware of what it's getting into yet.

[chinton]

I cant imagine Thomas Jane playing Iron Man after Downey made it his own. The idea that it would be fine if another person played Iron Man and have it at the same level of quality is utterly ridiculous. Like I said Downey made the film hos own.

Also the comparisions to Maguire/Spiderman are not apt. I know a lot of people here like Maguire but I think hes rather overrated and certianly not in the same league as Downey.

[thedudeman69]

It made over $240 million?

All the fanboys rushed out(me included), and found out it sucked.

[LordSimen]

Marvel IS stupid. They greenlit Ang Lee's Hulk, and look what happened. If they greenlight this sequel without Jon F., then we should bash the hell out of marvel.


There seems to be a misconception here on Marvel's involvement in Ang Lee's Hulk. Marvel, as with all their projects outside of the recent THE INCREDIBLE HULK and IRON MAN, had no involvement in the production with their properties. They sold their film rights to studios (for Ang Lee's Hulk, it was Universal) and the studios were the ones who greenlit everything from there on forth. Marvel had no say outside of the involvement of Avi Arad, former head of marvel, in executive producer duties. However, he's recently resigned as the head of Marvel to become a full time movie producer.

When Universal never renewed their writes to Hulk and never got around to making a sequel, the rights went directly back to Marvel. Marvel started up their own studio, Marvel Studios, and got Iron Man and Incredible Hulk into production. These are the first two movies completely creatively controlled by Marvel themselves.

[Fart Box]

Only the director of Ghost Rider deserves this king of treatment.

[biff_debris]

I went to Iron Man to see Downey, but was very pleased with Favreau's direction -- before this, I had only known him as the guy who directed Elf, which mainly tickled me when Bob Newhart was on the screen, and being the guy who calmed Vince vaughn down in Made. I was pleasantly suprised, and it only intensified my fondness for an already nice movie.

Because of this, I'm really dissapointed to hear that there's some dispute between Favreau and Marvel -- but I'm hoping that all of this is the usual Hollywood guff and things will be neatly put in place once a decent script comes along and everyone can play nice.

[Jon Lyrik]

Very stupid, short-sighted move on Marvel's part.

[JoeChar4321]

AHEM...

http://www.philly.com/dailynews/features/20080613_Tattle___Hulk__film_is_a_boy_s_dream_come _true.html

Feige said that it was Marvel's "intention to have the same team back for the 'Iron Man' sequel" and that reports of a rift between director Jon Favreau and studio chief David Maisel were off base.

End of story.

[electriclite]

few things:


-Third, you guys, as movie fans, are, in the next few years, going to get a huge dose of what is a day to day reality for comic book fans. That is, your favorite creative team is working on your favorite book for a bunch of issues, you're liking to heck out of it, and then, suddenly, one day, your favorite book has Joe Schmo and his pal, Fred, working on it. I remember what happened a couple of months ago when Gail Simmone left Birds of Prey, the book plummetted in sales without anyone even giving the new writer a chance. I remember seeing an issue of the book with Simmone's name on it a month later, being happy she was back, only to have my comic book store guy say "nope, sorry, that's a typographic error." He had that exact scenario play out with over ten people just that one day. Marvel has generally not been very good at retaining it's best people, they aren't pixar, and old habits die hard. Marvel, as a corporate entity, is no longer the company that Stan Lee and Jack Kirby built, and, as a fan, that's very sad.

-four, when you have a film that looks like it might pull over 300 million domestic box (outside shot right now) you don't sack the creative team. If they want a reasonable pay increase, you pay it for the good job that they did, and you milk that cow some more. Fav and RDJ was a combo that worked, and in the movie business, that's very hard to find. As movie people are fond of pointing out to me, movies are far more expensive to make than comics are. If Joe Schmo and Fred don't work out on a book, Marvel can cancel it, or give it to someone else, and the cost of changing direction won't bankrupt the company, it's just a comic book. However, movies don't work that way, and I'm not sure Marvel is fully aware of what it's getting into yet.


Apparently Marvel feels they can treat Hollywood creative types the same way they treat their artists. Most comic book artists are like indentured servants to their respective companies, and they know it. I heard of one guy that Marvel put in his place because they threatened to take away his healthcare for his kids. That's fucking low shit right there.

The thing is, Favreau is not some underappreciated and unknown cog in a wheel (not anymore anyway). Iron Man is big bargaining chip for him now when it comes to his next project. He may not get the payday he deserves from Marvel, but I'm sure there's some other studio out there that is waiting in the wings to snatch him up for their currently in development comic book movie (or any other movie for that matter)

[DareDevil]

^^ There is a god

[gspawn]

You forget that much of that "fun" quality everyone raved about when Iron Man came out was due not only to Robert Downey Jr. but also the fact that Favreau, as a comedian, knows comedic timing. And it shows in the movie.

This is the winning response. Downey is apparently ultimately capable, but Fav is the guy who helps make the right atmosphere for Downey.

Also, I don't have a reference handy, but I heard from a friend that the moment all this internet furor got back to Marvel, they got their asses on the phone and made the right move just as fast as they could.

Also also: When mentioning the one thing you knew Favreau from, the acceptible answers are "that guy in The Replacements" or "Gutter from PCU". These are the real highlights of his career, not this pesky Iron Man crap. (partially serious there, as I do really love those movies)

[xseanymacx]

The real highlights of Fav's career are SWINGERS and VERY BAD THINGS.

[pg13myass]

This is the winning response. Downey is apparently ultimately capable, but Fav is the guy who helps make the right atmosphere for Downey.

Also, I don't have a reference handy, but I heard from a friend that the moment all this internet furor got back to Marvel, they got their asses on the phone and made the right move just as fast as they could.

Also also: When mentioning the one thing you knew Favreau from, the acceptible answers are "that guy in The Replacements" or "Gutter from PCU". These are the real highlights of his career, not this pesky Iron Man crap. (partially serious there, as I do really love those movies)

I heard that same rumor as well. That Marvel head David Maisel said he had a lucrative offer for Favreau, and that all the rumors online are not true. I highly doubt that. I think he or the employees of the company have been keeping tabs on the net and figured they were in the hot seat if that rumor is true. If it is true, we will never know. I suppose if you're in that meeting room with them, that's the only way to find out what the real truth is.

My best bet is that they were going to screw him over.

[Grand_Marquis]

People say a loooot of things in meeting rooms, and execs are always willing to entertain the notion of screwing over absolutely anyone in existence. So, maybe it was TRUE true, and maybe it was just 'true'.

[soda]

As the legendary Lionel Hutz said on the simpsons:

"Marge, Marge, there's the truth (smiles) and then, there's the truth (frowns)"

In any case, Marvel has been known, throughout it's history, for treating it's creators like crap. Things are a lot better for creators these days, but the guys whose long years of work and sweat established these characters, and made these movies possible, don't get any share of the take (and, as a fan, I find it extremely annoying that comic book writers don't get to write comic book movies. Want a hit? Let Simmone, johns and Brubaker do what they do best) Modern labor laws have curtailed the worst problems, but, other than Jim Lee, nobody who makes comics for a living is rich, no matter how good their stories were.

[MisterTwister]

No Favs=Me not seeing this fucker.

[Shockwave]

As the legendary Lionel Hutz said on the simpsons:

"Marge, Marge, there's the truth (smiles) and then, there's the truth (frowns)"

In any case, Marvel has been known, throughout it's history, for treating it's creators like crap. Things are a lot better for creators these days, but the guys whose long years of work and sweat established these characters, and made these movies possible, don't get any share of the take (and, as a fan, I find it extremely annoying that comic book writers don't get to write comic book movies. Want a hit? Let Simmone, johns and Brubaker do what they do best) Modern labor laws have curtailed the worst problems, but, other than Jim Lee, nobody who makes comics for a living is rich, no matter how good their stories were.


Heh. Remember how bitter the IMAGE cast was when they all left Marvel?:p

[newyorkreload]

X3, need I say more?

[soda]

Heh. Remember how bitter the IMAGE cast was when they all left Marvel?:p

Of all the seductively flawed business premises in the history of mankind, Image has to rank at the very top. Image was a business premise that was a product of it's time: the early nineties, which was, (thank God!) a very different time in comics from today. Every creator thought his concept was the next Spawn, the next book that would sell a million copies, and be worth a bijillion dollars.

From that day to this, Image has been marked by one thing: inconsistency. Every year, at con (sometimes SDCC, and sometimes Wondercon up to the north) someone from Image wants guys like me to try their book, and every year, it's the same sorry story, "well, I'd like to, when does it come out?" "umm, I don't know." "Then how do you expect me to know when to get it?" Image, being a creator owned company, has stuff that never comes out. There are a ton of Image books that get to issue #2, and then pull an Ultimate Hulk vs. Wolverine, and disappear off the face of the earth. How am I supposed to get emotionally invested in a story that's half told, never comes out, and that could die at any time?

I, like you, had high hopes for Image when it first started, and all those creators from other companies flocked to it. I remember the uproar in the industry over creator compensation and the like, and how Image was supposed to be the panacea of the poor comic book creator. I also remember that, a few years later, after Jack Kirby's death, Frank Miller stood up in SDCC and went on his legendary angry tirade (one of many, oh Frank) over the maliase of the industry. I wasn't there personally, but I'm told it was a sight to behold. The next year, Marvel filed for Bankruptcy and DC got bought out by WB (reason? They were making crappy comics)

Fortunately, I think the comic book industry has learned from the problems of the early ninties and the Image movement. Dark Horse is a much better creator owned model (books come out "whenever the creator feels like it", but the stories are complete, so you're not left wanting. Doesn't really do much for a single issue guy like me, but it's a much better way to go than Image), and DC's Vertigo imprint (started also in the early ninties) is extremely popular because it gives creator's freedom while keeping books coming out on time (Vertigo is easily, far and away, the most punctual comic book company on the planet. My copy of fables shows up once every four weeks, without fail.)

[pg13myass]

Of all the seductively flawed business premises in the history of mankind, Image has to rank at the very top. Image was a business premise that was a product of it's time: the early nineties, which was, (thank God!) a very different time in comics from today. Every creator thought his concept was the next Spawn, the next book that would sell a million copies, and be worth a bijillion dollars.

From that day to this, Image has been marked by one thing: inconsistency. Every year, at con (sometimes SDCC, and sometimes Wondercon up to the north) someone from Image wants guys like me to try their book, and every year, it's the same sorry story, "well, I'd like to, when does it come out?" "umm, I don't know." "Then how do you expect me to know when to get it?" Image, being a creator owned company, has stuff that never comes out. There are a ton of Image books that get to issue #2, and then pull an Ultimate Hulk vs. Wolverine, and disappear off the face of the earth. How am I supposed to get emotionally invested in a story that's half told, never comes out, and that could die at any time?

I, like you, had high hopes for Image when it first started, and all those creators from other companies flocked to it. I remember the uproar in the industry over creator compensation and the like, and how Image was supposed to be the panacea of the poor comic book creator. I also remember that, a few years later, after Jack Kirby's death, Frank Miller stood up in SDCC and went on his legendary angry tirade (one of many, oh Frank) over the maliase of the industry. I wasn't there personally, but I'm told it was a sight to behold. The next year, Marvel filed for Bankruptcy and DC got bought out by WB (reason? They were making crappy comics)

Fortunately, I think the comic book industry has learned from the problems of the early ninties and the Image movement. Dark Horse is a much better creator owned model (books come out "whenever the creator feels like it", but the stories are complete, so you're not left wanting. Doesn't really do much for a single issue guy like me, but it's a much better way to go than Image), and DC's Vertigo imprint (started also in the early ninties) is extremely popular because it gives creator's freedom while keeping books coming out on time (Vertigo is easily, far and away, the most punctual comic book company on the planet. My copy of fables shows up once every four weeks, without fail.)

I agree with you on Dark Horse being a much more successful company for creator owned material. Vertigo as well. I remember when Image blew up too and how everyone including myself was so excited for that new phase in the comic book industry and its history. But, it really pissed me off more then make me love comics. I think Image is the biggest reason why I stopped reading comics for a long time. The only reason I still frequent my comic store from time to time was in hopes that someone out there would do something right and make me pick up anything that came out monthly. And the company that did that was Dark Horse.

Most of the stuff that comes out of Image or stemmed from Image (Wildstorm, Top Cow, etc.) is pure garbage to me. I can't read it and I can't even look at the art. All the artists hired are basically bad clones of Lee. Even Silvestri, who at one point in his career (early X-Men) had his own look that I enjoyed. But now, it's total crap. I was never a fan of Liefeld, but I remember his studio advertising for artists and I submitted my work to him and it got rejected. I saw the new books coming out from his banner and I saw just how horrible he and his artists were. And the artists he hired were just as bad as he was! I realized it's not that you got talent. The Image creators became just as screwed up as the companies they broke off with.

I just started to just feel the comic industry is no different from Hollywood. They just want to produce the hottest thing just for the big bucks. Why else are they doing all these huge cross-over storylines? I used to look forward to 'Fall of the Mutants' and your 'X-tinction Agenda' storylines. Now, I could care less.

When I read news like Marvel trying to snuff Favreau on Iron Man 2, it just reminds me of those days.

[soda]

I agree with you on Dark Horse being a much more successful company for creator owned material. Vertigo as well. I remember when Image blew up too and how everyone including myself was so excited for that new phase in the comic book industry and its history. But, it really pissed me off more then make me love comics. I think Image is the biggest reason why I stopped reading comics for a long time. The only reason I still frequent my comic store from time to time was in hopes that someone out there would do something right and make me pick up anything that came out monthly. And the company that did that was Dark Horse.

Most of the stuff that comes out of Image or stemmed from Image (Wildstorm, Top Cow, etc.) is pure garbage to me. I can't read it and I can't even look at the art. All the artists hired are basically bad clones of Lee. Even Silvestri, who at one point in his career (early X-Men) had his own look that I enjoyed. But now, it's total crap. I was never a fan of Liefeld, but I remember his studio advertising for artists and I submitted my work to him and it got rejected. I saw the new books coming out from his banner and I saw just how horrible he and his artists were. And the artists he hired were just as bad as he was! I realized it's not that you got talent. The Image creators became just as screwed up as the companies they broke off with.

I just started to just feel the comic industry is no different from Hollywood. They just want to produce the hottest thing just for the big bucks. Why else are they doing all these huge cross-over storylines? I used to look forward to 'Fall of the Mutants' and your 'X-tinction Agenda' storylines. Now, I could care less.

When I read news like Marvel trying to snuff Favreau on Iron Man 2, it just reminds me of those days.

Your preaching to the choir, brother.

I thought, back then, as I do now, that the whole Image thing was a good idea very poorly executed. Someone had to take the plunge, to show others how not to do it, and Image filled that role.

As far as comics go, I feel for you, back in the ninties, I'd go to my local shop, and scan the racks, desperate for something to read. Needless to say, very little caught my eye. It was a sad, depressing, hard time to be a fan. I remember when I started college in Socal, and I went to san diego for cons back in the late ninties. I thought me and two other guys who were there were the last fans on earth.

Fortunately times are better now. While I would agree with you that I have major problems with all the mega-crossovers in comics these days, don't let that fool you, there are really great books out there for the reading. Unlike ten years ago, I look forward to getting my stuff every week. There are talented writers who are completely changing how we look at certain characters. If you want a few recommendations, let me know.

[pg13myass]

Your preaching to the choir, brother.

I thought, back then, as I do now, that the whole Image thing was a good idea very poorly executed. Someone had to take the plunge, to show others how not to do it, and Image filled that role.

As far as comics go, I feel for you, back in the ninties, I'd go to my local shop, and scan the racks, desperate for something to read. Needless to say, very little caught my eye. It was a sad, depressing, hard time to be a fan. I remember when I started college in Socal, and I went to san diego for cons back in the late ninties. I thought me and two other guys who were there were the last fans on earth.

Fortunately times are better now. While I would agree with you that I have major problems with all the mega-crossovers in comics these days, don't let that fool you, there are really great books out there for the reading. Unlike ten years ago, I look forward to getting my stuff every week. There are talented writers who are completely changing how we look at certain characters. If you want a few recommendations, let me know.

Yeah, I'll take you up on that offer! So far, I've gotten recommendations from Electrilite on The Long Halloween and Dark Victory. I've got some catching up to do with that. I've picked up DC The New Frontier which was one of the best I've ever read in awhile. I also enjoyed Justice (then again, I like anything Alex Ross is involved in).

As far as Marvel goes, I've enjoyed the House of M series. I've also read Civil War which wasn't too bad either. I've read little bits and pieces of the tie ins. I've been pondering on getting into the new Thor series because I've browsed through that and thought it shown promise. Especially with Thor getting pissed off at Tony Stark. That was a great moment. I think I started to despise Tony Stark after Civil War.

[thommie343]

It was beginning to look a little bleak for a while there on the prospects of Jon Favreau returning for IRON MAN 2. He was upset at Marvel for stalling and low-balling him. Marvel was upset at him for taking negotiations public. Favreau was upset Marvel announced a release date he felt was unattainable. Marvel was stalling and low-balling him. So things were not going well. But at the end of the day, you kinda knew that things were going to get worked out and sure enough they have. Deadline Hollywood is reporting that Favreau has closed his deal to direct IRON MAN 2. Considering Favreau's initial hesitations and Robert Downey, Jr.'s commitment to SHERLOCK HOLMES, the May, 2010 release date looks like it might get pushed back though I wouldn't set anything in stone. Favreau was looking more at the three-year break model set out by SPIDER-MAN and X-MEN that would put IRON MAN 2 in theaters in 2011. So Favs is back and Downey, Jr. is set and now all we need to do is find a formidable villain. Any ideas?...

From the joblo main page

[Jig Saw 123]

It'll be released in 2010, Marvel gets what Marvel wants. They wouldn't have Captain America, The Avengers, Spider-Man 4, and Iron Man 2 released in the same year. I'm sure Sherlock Holmes will only take 3-4 months to shoot and that means Iron Man 2 can begin shooting in March, as planned.

[venom718]

Man im just waiting for war machine to see the screen.And will there be a new fantastic four.I mean they fit in the marvel universe.Especially the hulks.

[bigred760]

Man im just waiting for war machine to see the screen.

And it looks like it won't be Terrence Howard playing war machine:

http://joblo.com/cheadle-in-iron-man
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20081014/en_nm/us_ironman_1

Marvel might be too cheap after all, it's almost like they're being run by the guys at FOX. :D

[Smiert Spionam]

And it looks like it won't be Terrence Howard playing war machine:

http://joblo.com/cheadle-in-iron-man
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20081014/en_nm/us_ironman_1

Marvel might be too cheap after all, it's almost like they're being run by the guys at FOX. :D

LAME!

[LordSimen]

This new information saddens me. Cheadle will no doubt do well in the role but I really loved Howard in the film. He and Robert just had perfect chemistry for their parts. Cheadle and Robert just won't be the same feeling.

[MisterTwister]

I don't care either way. Favs and RDJ are back and that's all I care about.

[The_alpz]

This upsets me as well. Howard was great in the first one and now it'll just feel weird with Cheadel.

[KCJ506]

Next time..."

NOT!!!

[Trooper3]

WTF seriously.

Terrance Howard should have to pay Marvel to get the oppertunity to play War Machine... I mean, in 2 years he'll have his own Action figure.. seriously..

[soda]

And it looks like it won't be Terrence Howard playing war machine:

http://joblo.com/cheadle-in-iron-man
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20081014/en_nm/us_ironman_1

Marvel might be too cheap after all, it's almost like they're being run by the guys at FOX. :D

few thoughts:

-Marvel playing hardball with fav was about the dumbest thing I've ever seen. Fav made Iron Man about as good a movie as it could possibly be. I'm a comic book junkie, and even I'd be hard pressed to name the "definitive" Iron Man story in the books. I felt like fav took something, an idea, and what people with a tenth of the talent he had were trying to articulate, put it all together, and gave us a story nobody had seen before. That's very, very hard to do, and marvel has to realize that without that kind of vision, Iron Man is no different a character than Catwoman or Daredevil, fav made it something unique, and he deserves to be paid for it. Unfortunately, marvel is a company that, historically, looks at its creators are replaceable parts.

However, the comparison to fox is off-base. Marvel is at least run by human beings, fox is run by gerbils. I have to say that fox is not only cheap, but on the scale of human intelligence, they are sarah palin-esque (ie very, very low).

As for Terrance Howard, I kinda have a easy time saying bye to him. I liked Howard, but Don Cheadle is a better actor, and would be an upgrade for the role. Much like I despised Katie Holmes in Batman Begins, and had no problem with her being replaced in TDK, I think Gylleshal is a better actress.

[Pirate Mike]

I don't take kindly to this news. Cheadle is no doubt the better actor, but Howard's got 10x the charisma.

[project 86]

totally agree Howard brought a certain charm to his character very likable

[fooknasty]

Howard owned the small little bit that he was given, and it sucks balls that he won't be back.

If the rumors are true and Rhodes was supposed to have a much bigger role this time around, this news has kinda turned me off the next.

Oh, and the Katie Holmes/Maggie Gyllenhall comparrison isn't relevant. Nobody wanted Holmes back, and was replaced by a far superior actress.

Not the case here.

[APzombie]

The "Next time, baby." line will now always make me unintentional laugh.

[EvilHenchman]

At least it's a solid actor filling Howard's shoes and not, say, Ice Cube.

And I like Cube n' all, but really...

[razgriz21]

Never truer words.

Wish Marvel would pay up.

[JoeChar4321]

People made way too much of the Favreau negotiation. It was just that, a negotiation. Both sides had to posture a bit. I wonder if Fav's pay raise included a percentage of the next film and this forced Marvel to stand fast on their offer to Howard? It seems to me that Howard wanted Downey type money judging by his post Iron Man release interviews. He chose the wrong time to play chicken and probably chose the wrong agent. I'm willing to bet Marvel was more then fair. Cheadle doesn't work for chump change.

Besides, just like the Iron Man armor progresses, I really think Cheadle is an upgrade acting wise over Howard.