First it was MoviesOnline that scored an interview with Jon Favreau regarding not only Iron Man, but the possibility of his directing the Avengers movie. Now IGN has scored one as well, where Favs talks about the delicate balance between action-blockbuster and interpersonal relationships in making Iron Man.
Over at Movies Online Favreau had this to say regarding big budget action movies:
“You realize these [superhero] movies could survive without good actors and without good story because the shots are so compelling and done so well. The guys at ILM they did Pirates [of the Caribbean] and Transformers and that stuff is spectactular.”
But does that apply to Iron Man? Here’s what he had to say:
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“It is a very very good movie and I think people’s expectations will be met. Although it’s changing now, but with superhero movies, they [the audience] are expecting an experience - they are not expecting quality. They have a good time without a great movie. So if you deliver a great movie on top of something that is spectacular to watch, you can deliver a great experience.”
I read someone’s interpretation of the above that I thought was completely wrong: They said that the above means that Iron Man will not pay as much attention to the characters and their interactions as he might in a low budget movie. That’s completely off-base. What he’s saying above is that even movies that don’t pay attention to those details can make a ton of money, but Iron Man will deliver big-time action and a quality film, both.
In the interview with IGN.com he goes on to expand on that, saying:
“You can’t just do ok opening weekend, you have to blow the doors off for it to even be profitable… In addition to being charming, it has to deliver as a big movie. It’s my work on smaller movies that inform the humanity and relationships, which I think without those at the core of a big movie like that it just becomes spectacle.”
He also referred to it as a
“…big beautiful 2 hour experience.”
Sweet. 
To see the full interview plus a brief one with Robert Downey Jr head on over to IGN.com.
Iron Man opens on May 2, 2008.
Sources: MoviesOnline and IGN
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21 Comments
It sounds all good to me!
People shouldnt cherry pick favs comments to find things to complain about.
Wow, I think this interview with Jon Favreau was in a way very disturbing.
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His comments about doing a superhero film with any actor is totally misguided. His indorsement of Pirates 3 and Transformers is also disturbing.
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Jon (dude) if you give us nothing but eye candy your film will bottom out and your dvd sales will be flat. Nothing personal but don’t do any more interviews, you sound like a studio yes man.
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Both Transformers and the Pathetic Parates/Carrabian3 sucked as far as rewatchablity. IMFO.
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You know what the f stands for Jon. Its not fx.
You’re interpreting his comments just like the site I referred to. Favreau is saying that he is going to deliver MORE than just snazzy VFX. Also, he’s not saying that Transformers and Pirates were good movies, he’s just saying that they made bank.
Re-read the second quote above.
Vic
Steve ,
Just let the movie speak for itself.
It will meet everyones expecatations, if not exceed them.
Gary,
JFav is saying Ironman will be the equaliant of (Batman Begin acting talent and storyline with the spectacular visuals of Superman Returns and Spiderman2)X 2.:)
Did I miss something here?
Don’t get me wrong gang, I’m standing in line right now for Iron Man, all I’m saying is that JFav’s comments struck me as a guy that’s out of touch with the market.
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His quotes::::
#1
You realise these [superhero] films could survive WITHOUT good actors and WITHOUT good story because the shots are so compelling and done so well. The guys at ILM did Pirates and transformers and that stuff was spectacular.
(Well yea it looked great and sucked at the same time, I’m supposed to look forward to more of this formula?).
#2
They [the audience] are expecting a experience-they are NOT expecting quality.
(I kinda agree but they way he puts it it sounds like he’s leaning more on the visuals then script and dammit I am looking for quality). Btw if a film is just eye-candy I typically don’t buy the dvd.
#3
In addition to it being CHARMING it has to deliver as a big movie.
(I would never call a superhero film charming, but hey that’s just me)…
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In MY conclusion, JFav sounds like another studio hack that isn’t really a true fan but wants to sound like one yet cleary dosnt know how.
Don’t get me wrong I’m not putting down his directing skills and I’m going to see Iron Man, but he sets some presidents that clearly conflict with my film going experience…
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Gary I don’t have blind faith in these filmakers (I don’t care who it is).I’ll be cherry pickin as long as I can type bro.
#1: You’re not supposed to look forward to it, but those were successful there for yes, more of that will be coming down the pick. I think he’s just speaking to the point that those movies made a LOT of money, and you can’t disagree on that point.
#2: Again, I disagree. He says that DESPITE the fact that audiences expect that he wants to provide a good story and characters in addition to that.
#3: By “charming” I think he means that he wants us to buy the characters as people we care about.
He focused on the box office for the movie because he has a LOT riding on his shoulders: This is the first Marvel-produced movie and he’s the man. The box office returns of those movies back up his statements. He’s not wrong. But he’s saying that his movie will be MORE than those which do rely almost exclusively on VFX and big action.
It’s weird how we can listen to him say the same thing and walk away with completely opposing opinions.
Vic
Sure I get what he’s saying but please don’t lump us all in the camp that if it looks great were all gonna love it.
Personally to me he just comes across as guy that dosnt know the fanbase and what it wants.
Of course I’m in the minority on this one. I can’t argue with blockbuster results. But I don’t support that Transfmr/Carrabian line that if we/ILM shoot it, they will come. (If they put out more sequels to these films I’m not going) especally POTC,,
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Just something about his comments I find lack a connection to fans of Superhero films.
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I am glad he believes Iron Man will kick, BO ars but let’s all hope that after 2 mind blowing Iron Man films we don’t get Tom Cruise playing Stark. From the way JFav sounds it wouldn’t matter. We would all line up anyway cause its just soo neato looking.
Robert Downey Jr. is the PERFECT actor to play Tony Starks in the upcoming Iron Man movie.
Read more: http://thefirsttime.informationnetworkwebsite.com/?p=32
Good news,IMO. IM is 2 hours!! Wonderful!!
I cannot wait to see this! I’m sad that the next trailer or teaser which airs during the superbowl is only 30 seconds long tho.
Still,this interview was good and has me looking forward to IM even more,if that’s even possible…..LOL!
Now bring on that Captain America movie!!!!! (And he’d better be Steve Rogers,the one and only!)
The 2 hour runtime is welcome news!
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KEL I don’t expect a Captain America film for a very long time…..have you heard anyhting?
Not really…sometime ago it was said that Nick Cassevettes was looking to direct and that Marvel would be focusing on getting that film out after IM.
I hope there’ll be more news on that soon…..
Cap America’s got to be a touchy character right now with the state of things.
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We all know he’s dead in the comics and Iron Man had issues with him.
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I guess a full-on character origin tale would work???
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Can’t say I was ever a big Cap America fan though.
Yeah,he’s supposedly “dead”,I hope he comes back tho and they don’t do a Barry Allen with Cap.
I’ve always been a big fan of the guy.
He and IM are my fave Marvels. (I did like Civil War tho,even tho they tried to make IM a “villain”. BS…)
Yes,a WW2 origin tale like in the comix with a cliff hanger ending that gets picked up in an Avengers movie! Just like in the comix when they brought Cap back from the forties in that iceberg it was in an Avengers comic!
Duuuude,that would be so SWEET!!
I’ve got some pretty kick ass ideas for a Cap movie BTW.
Vic, there’s gotta be a way we can get KEL a job at Marvel.
KEL seems to have more creative ideas then these other guys!!!!
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Good Job KEL!
I take the comments as that he is trying to make a really really kickazz movie!! That he is NOT relying on just SFX, but on character development AND the story. Let’s face it, the SFX in the Fantastic 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer were phenomenal, but the characters themselves were weak. The only thing that movie did for me is wishing that there would be a Silver Surfer movie without The FF. My point is, that I think JF realizes that he can just do a film with great SFX and lots of action and have the movie make money (Like FF or Spidey 3), but it sounds like he wants to make this a GREAT film that stands the test of time (like the first 2 Superman movies).
As for a Captain America movie, that would be cool, but it better not suck. I think with the way the climate of the world is today, a Venom movie would be awesome. (Let’s just forget the fact that he was destroyed in Spidey 3). They can introduce Carnage in a non-Spidey film!!
Vic
“Just something about his comments I find lack a connection to fans of Superhero films.”
Well seeing as how he wasn’t talking about fans of superhero films but movie goers in general i don’t find that much of a surprise.
Brian…. One thing (keep in mind) I didn’t read these interviews I’m going by what Vic posted here. The 3 paragraphs. Btw I don’t care to read the interviews because I know the film is going to be good…
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I’m sure Jon F is a great Director and I’m going to love Iron Man ,but he just seems like he’s basicaly saying we not only have great fx but we have a great story too.
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Really… How impressive,, a story as well…
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“Wow its almost like a real movie…”
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This just felt like a jerkoff statement to me that’s all..
Steve… as Vic commented, I am understanding Jon to say that IM is not only a fantastic superhero film visually but in addition, it is a great story with great acting… a great film overall that will appeal everyone, including the faithful comic book fans. He wants us all to leave the theatre caring a lot about the characters, especially Tony, and being very eager to see “what happens next!” … the next phase in life of Tony Stark. And yes Vic, Robert is the perfect Tony Stark because, not only is he extremely talented, handsome and charming, he is a perfectionist and will do everything possible to make his character real … someone to whom we all can relate. I think that is what Jon has wanted all along and felt that Robert would be the perfect one to do just that.
Sorry to go on so long … but I got really good vibes from Jon’s interview … I get that he is very proud of how this film has come together and is very anxious for us all to see it and love it.
joyce
Jon Favreau, IMHO, REALLY cares about this film and it’s importants to Marvel and Ironman’s fan. Just go to his myspace Ironman forum (opened days after Jon getting director’s chair)and look at all the Q & A that was answer and asked by Jon himself. I’ve been with the group for at least a year and he still answers and asks important question that the FANS care about.
A few example of Jon Q & A are the following:
1> Main Casting(Jon wanted good talent, the FANS referred RDJ and Horward).
2> What Suits and Designs( the FANS ask for the Mark I and the Modern Suit heavily, also a must on the unibeam being circular instead of diamond shaped, “Replusor Technology” and a “true” to the comic design not a RoboCop half face style).
3> Villians(Iron Monger and Mandoran, big picks from the fans).
4> Which origin, 616 or Ultimates version(fans said 616 a must).
Just a few examples. RDJ has also respectfully drop a line or two from Jon ID. Hope these help to show his passion for making this film a marque superhero film.
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