A few weeks ago, we revealed to you why Iron Man was killing Tony Starkthe opportunity to remember a certain facet of the character filled vices and addictions well known by fans of comicsbut relatively untapped in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (mcu). And yet, one of the character’s most iconic tales on this theme came very close to being adapted by marvel studios during the early development of his cinematic universethen just nascent.
the importance of robert downey jr.
By embodying the character of Iron Man in the eponymous film of 2008, Robert Downey Jr. was the first spark that gave life to the MCU as we know it today, also allowing the actor to experience a resurgence in popularity thanks to this role. Faced with the wide success of the film, Marvel Studios (too) quickly gave the green light for a second part, with Iron Man 2 which will be released in 2010. The studios then hired Justin Therouxwho had just written the screenplay for Thunder in the Tropicsand which earned Robert Downey Jr. an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor the same year it was released.Iron Man. The second film was then quickly put into production, even before the script was finished..
And the film was highly anticipated, not only because it was about sequel to a movie that grossed around $600 million and which had been very well received by critics, but also because it was setting the stage for the Avengers. This is why the scenario initially planned had to be modified accordingly.
Yet many fans were eager to see the story adapted from the comics The Devil in a Bottle (OV: Demon in a Bottle). Published in 1979, this narrative arc in nine issues from the comics The Invincible Iron Man depicted the alcoholism of Tony Stark and which, for many, represents the epitome of Iron Man history. The choice of Robert Downey Jr. to play Tony Stark, aka Iron Man, was a decision of director Jon Favreau, who thought that the actor’s personal struggle with his own addiction issues would fit well with the role of Tony Stark, despite Marvel’s initial skepticism. At the time, some fans thought the second installment might adapt this iconic comic book story.
And in a recent article by vulnerability which returns to the restless production ofIron Man 2it has been reported that while screenwriter Justin Theroux was indeed originally hired to adapt The Devil in a Bottlethe plans were changed after consideration. On the one hand, the studios feared that an alcoholic Iron Man would be harmful for the marketing of the film. abroad and that this therefore impacts its box office, but also that it could affect sales of toys and related products in the likeness of the character. On the other, the wife of Robert Downey Jr., Susan Downey, also executive producer of the film Iron Man 2, also opposed this intrigue, for the sake of health for her husband. Thevoux would later explain why this sudden change: “We didn’t want to be the Leaving Las Vegas version of Iron Man.”.
an adaptation that is not sold enough
The fact that toy sales are a storyline influencing factor is nothing new in the Marvel Universe.. We had already revealed to you how the film Iron Man 3 (2013) drastically reduced the role of Maya Hansen, played by Rebecca Hall, who had to give up her main villain status in favor of Guy Pearce who played the character of Aldrich Killian, simply for fear of low toy sales.
It is for the same reason that Malekith was chosen over Hela to be the villain of the film. Thor: The Dark World (2013). This decision is actually very logical, because Iron Man was chosen as the first MCU film. following market research indicating that children would be inclined to buy his toys. In the early days of Marvel Studios, Iron Man was the only proven product, and studios were very committed to the character as a result.
In the final version of the film, Iron Man 2 made a light adaptation of the comics The Devil in a Bottlewhen the protagonist discovers that the ARC Reactor is killing him, thus plunging Stark into an impulsive and self-destructive turmoil. In one scene, Stark drinks heavily while throwing a party at his house, which results in a fight with his best friend, James Rhodes.
chaotic production
While a film is something worth fighting for creatively, the actor’s safety and well-being remain the top priority. Susan Downey had the intelligence not to endanger the health of her husband, even being one of the producers of the film. Yes Iron Man 2 experienced several behind-the-scenes issues, the film was still a box office success, allowing the franchise to thrive for years thereafter..
But it is true that the film Iron Man 2 is without doubt the most chaotic production in the history of Marvel Studios’ 28 films. On the film’s last day of post-production, director Jon Favreau said:
I feel like I’m ending this film the way El Cid ended the war: tied to his horse, dead, and sent into battle.
Apart from the fact that the screenplay had not even been finished at the time of filming, it was above all that the production wanted to leave greater freedom of interpretation to Downey Jr., considered to be the driving force behind the film, thus giving rise lots of improvisation. Many changes had to be constantly made to the scenario.in order to try to make the whole coherent as a whole. Additionally, some casting issues also caused complications.. Especially during the change between Terrence Howard and Don Cheadle for the character of Lieutenant-Colonel James “Rhodey” Rhodes, but also in the face of Mickey Rourke’s demands for his character of Ivan Vanko, alias Whiplash.
And to continue in the same theme, discover the explanations of the directors of the film Avengers: Endgame on Iron Man’s choice of death over Captain Americajust here.
