New York Magazine’s Vulture has reported news from their sources that Jon Favreau will not be directing the third Iron Man feature.
They say that Marvel has already begun quietly searching for a new director to replace Favreau, who helmed the successful Iron Man and its sequel.
Marvel hopes to release Iron Man 2 in 2013.
Big news today on the Marvel Movies front.
For starters, an official release date for Iron Man 3 has been announced. Expect to see it on May 3, 2013.
The other big news is that the distribution rights to the movies have gone from Paramount to Marvel parent company Disney. Here’s the press release:
Walt Disney Studios, Paramount Pictures and Marvel Studios announced they have reached an agreement under which Paramount will transfer its worldwide marketing and distribution rights to Disney for Marvel Studios’ The Avengers and Iron Man 3.
Paramount will remain the worldwide distributor of the upcoming films, Thor and Captain America: The First Avenger, as well as the previously released Iron Man and Iron Man 2.
Under terms of the new deal, Disney will pay Paramount $115 million for the transfer of the distribution rights to Iron Man 3 and The Avengers to be paid on the theatrical release dates. These monies will serve as a minimum guarantee against the distribution fees.
”In completing this agreement, Disney will now assume worldwide marketing and distribution of ‘The Avengers’ and ‘Iron Man 3’ and leverage these two highly-anticipated films across the multiple global platforms of The Walt Disney Company,” said Rich Ross, Chairman of The Walt Disney Studios. “We appreciate the tremendous momentum that Paramount established with these iconic Marvel characters and look forward to propelling the brand even further in the coming years.”
”Five years ago, when Paramount and Marvel made our initial deal, both our businesses were in very different places,” said Brad Grey, Chairman & CEO of Paramount Pictures. “We are grateful for the partnership we have had with the terrific Marvel team over these years and proud of the work we have done together. Today, this new agreement is the right deal for Paramount, for Marvel and for Disney. We look forward to working together on ‘Thor’ and ‘Captain America,’ and we wish Disney and Marvel the utmost success, in what we know will be a very productive and wide-ranging partnership.”
”Paramount has been a wonderful partner in helping Marvel Studios bring our characters to the big screen,” said Alan Fine, Office of the President, Marvel Worldwide, Inc. “This agreement makes sense now that Marvel is part of The Walt Disney Company.”
Paramount will release Marvel Entertainment’s Thor and Captain America: The First Avenger worldwide beginning on May 6 and July 22 of 2011, respectively. The Avengers will be licensed to Epix under Paramount’s existing pay television arrangement.
Disney is planning a May 3, 2013 release date for Iron Man 3.
The opening titles for G4TV’s Iron Man anime have made their way onto Youtube. Who knows how long they’ll be online, but for now, enjoy:
Thanks to MTV’s Splash Page, we now have a release date for Iron Man 2 on DVD and Blu-ray — that would be September 28 — and we also have a list of extras. Here’s what we have to look forward to:
IRON MAN 2 BLU-RAY/DVD COMBO PACK
Disc 1 (Blu-ray):
· Feature film with optional commentary by Jon Favreau (HD)
· S.H.I.E.L.D. Data Vault (HD)— Extend your knowledge of the Marvel Cinematic Universe with high-level clearance into S.H.I.E.L.D.’s digital data vault. Interact with select scenes from the movie that include new layers of graphics and insider information. View case files, dossiers, S.H.I.E.L.D. training films, tech details and more.
· Previsualization and Animatics (HD)
Disc 2 (Blu-ray):
· Ultimate Iron Man: The Making of Iron Man 2 (HD)
Rebuilding the Suit—An all-encompassing look at the beginning stages of this mammoth blockbuster.
A Return to Action—From Marvel Studios to the streets of Monaco, Jon Favreau takes viewers through the trials and triumphs of continuing Iron Man’s story.Expanding the Universe—From the amazing sets of Stark Expo to Tony Stark’s home and beyond, the Marvel Universe continues to unfold into new and exciting places.
Building a Legacy—From filming to editing, scoring and visual effects, Favreau and his team face the challenges of bringing the sequel to the big screen.
·
Featurettes (HD)Creating Stark Expo—A look at how the sets and computer-generated elements combine to create the massive set piece.
Practical Meets Digital—How the “practical” props inform the “digital” work that ultimately brings our hero to life on screen.
Illustrated Origin: Nick Fury—A comprehensive journey into creating one of the most mysterious and influential heroes in the Marvel Universe.
Illustrated Origin: Black Widow—An exciting look at the new femme fatale introduced in “Iron Man 2.”
Illustrated Origin: War Machine—A look at the introduction of the character and how his friendship with Tony Stark resonates with fans.
Working with DJ AM—Jon Favreau remembers working with Adam Goldstein.
· Deleted Scenes with optional commentary by Jon Favreau (HD)Alternate Opening
Coulson at the Senate
The Sub-Orbital Jet
Tony’s Workshop (extended)
Natalie Wears the Gauntlet
Flying Party Girl
Mark II Security
Element Rediscovered (extended)
Concept Art Gallery
Theatrical Trailers (HD)
Music Video: AC/DC “Shoot To Thrill”Disc 3 (DVD):
· Feature Film
· Digital CopyIRON MAN 2 TWO-DISC DVD
Disc 1:
Feature film with optional commentary by Jon Favreau
Disc 2:
Deleted Scenes with optional commentary by Jon Favreau
Alternate Opening
Coulson at the Senate
Natalie Wears the Gauntlet
Element Rediscovered (extended)Featurettes
Creating Stark Expo
Practical Meets Digital
Music Video: AC/DC “Shoot To Thrill”
Digital Copy
A video of Robert Downey Jr. visiting the Meltdown comic book store on Sunset Blvd. in Hollywood has now surfaced, and if you watch around the 1:20 point, you’ll even see him looking at the excellent New Avengers: The Reunion trade paperback, which is a prequel to the new Marvel Hawkeye & Mockingbird series that came out this week.