This morning Disney/MARVEL released the official 'Begin Of Production' press release that is customary after a film as been in production for a week or two. Accompanying the release is an absolutely awe inspiring photo of actor Robert Downey Jr. standing on the set of Iron Man 3, surrounded by all seven versions of the Iron Man suit that have appeared in the first two films and in The Avengers. However, no matter how awe inspiring this photo is, it isn't causing nearly the same kind of chaos that another set of completely UN-official photo's is causing.
MARVEL comic book fans completely FREAKED out when these photos first surfaced last week on Superficial.com. The photo would seem to indicate that one of the most loathsome villains in MARVEL comics history would be making an appearance, however given the complicated state of MARVEL's various film rights, that simply isn't possible. Many sources have indicated that the above image is IRON PATRIOT. A alter ego of Spider-Man villain Norman Osborn a.k.a. The Green Goblin. Unfortunately, Sony currently owns the film rights to all Spider-Man characters and have previously indicated that they have ZERO willingness to share them, with anyone.
Now MARVEL and Disney still own the film rights to Iron Patriot, but would the movie studio drastically alter a characters back story just because of a legal snafu? Well, yes. Actually they would... but we dont think that is what is going on here. Our sources close to the production of Iron Man 3 have indicated that this is NOT Iron Patriot AT ALL. In fact, our sources say that this is a different comic book character all together, named Detroit Steel.
In the comic books, Detroit Steel is an armored suit that is produced by Hammer Industries, yes the same Hammer Industries that is run by tycoon Justin Hammer played by Sam Rockwell. However, that may not work seeing as how in the movie story line Hammer is in prison for aiding Whiplashes drone attack on Iron Man at the Stark Expo. BUT, the suit we see here is strikingly similar to the Mark 2 Iron Man suit, that was stolen and copied by Hammer Industries, and eventually became the suit for War Machine. In fact there is a tell tale sign that this may not be a Tony Stark sanctioned suit. If you look closely, there is a very large machine gun mounted on the left shoulder of the suit. As indicated in Iron Man 2, Tony Stark has absolutely no love for external weaponry on his Iron Man suits. Unfortunately, we will have to wait until next May to have that question fully answered.
Marvel’s “Iron Man 3” Commences Principal Photography
In Preparation for May 3, 2013 Film Release
Following in the footsteps of the record-breaking Marvel Studios’ release “Marvel’s The Avengers,” production on the highly anticipated film “Iron Man 3,” directed by Shane Black, has commenced production in Wilmington, North Carolina. The production schedule will also include locations in Raleigh/Durham, North Carolina, Miami, Florida and China.
Based on the ever-popular Marvel comic book series, first published in 1963, “Iron Man 3” returns Robert Downey Jr. (“Iron Man,” “Marvel’s The Avengers”) as the iconic Super Hero character Tony Stark/Iron Man along with Gwyneth Paltrow (“Iron Man,” “Iron Man 2,”) as Pepper Potts, Don Cheadle (“Iron Man 2”) as James “Rhodey” Rhodes and Jon Favreau (“Iron Man,” “Iron Man 2”) as Happy Hogan. Set for release in the U.S. on May 3, 2013, Marvel’s “Iron Man 3” marks the second feature to be fully owned, marketed and distributed by Disney, which acquired Marvel in 2009.
“Iron Man 3” continues the epic, big-screen adventures of the world’s favorite billionaire inventor/Super Hero, Tony Stark aka “Iron Man.” Marvel Studios’ President Kevin Feige is producing the film. Executive producers on the project include Jon Favreau, Louis D’Esposito, Alan Fine, Stan Lee, Charles Newirth, Victoria Alonso, Stephen Broussard and Dan Mintz.
The creative production team on the film includes two-time Oscar®-winning director of photography John Toll, ASC (“Braveheart,” “Legends of the Fall”), production designer Bill Brzeski (“The Hangover,” “Due Date”), editors Jeffrey Ford, A.C.E. (“Marvel’s The Avengers,” “Captain America: The First Avenger”) and Peter S. Elliot (“Fantastic 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer”), and costume designer Louise Frogley (“Quantum of Solace,” “Contagion”).
Marvel Studios most recently produced the critically acclaimed “Marvel’s The Avengers,” which set the all-time, domestic 3-day weekend box office record at $207.4 million. The film, which is currently in release, continues to shatter box office records and is The Walt Disney Studios’ highest-grossing global and domestic release of all time and marks the studios’ fifth film to gross more than $1 billion worldwide.
In the summer of 2011, Marvel successfully launched two new franchises with “Thor,” starring Chris Hemsworth, and “Captain America: The First Avenger,” starring Chris Evans. Both films opened #1 at the box office and have grossed over $800 million worldwide combined. In 2010 “Iron Man 2,” starring Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, Scarlett Johansson and Mickey Rourke, took the #1 spot in its first weekend with a domestic box office gross of $128.1 million.
In the summer of 2008, Marvel produced the summer blockbuster movies “Iron Man” and “The Incredible Hulk.” “Iron Man,” in which Robert Downey Jr. originally dons the Super Hero’s powerful armor and stars alongside co-stars Terrence Howard, Jeff Bridges and Gwyneth Paltrow, was released May 2, 2008, and was an immediate box office success. Garnering the number one position for two weeks in a row, the film brought in over $100 million in its opening weekend. On June 13, 2008, Marvel released “The Incredible Hulk,” marking its second number one opener of that summer.
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