Happy Hogan WILL Appear In Iron Man
Jun 4, 2007 by Vic Holtreman
There’s been speculation whether Tony Stark’s long-time friend “Happy” Hogan would be appearing in the upcoming Iron Man movie.
The answer is: Yes.
Who will be playing Hogan? It’s not confirmed but my guess is that it will be the director himself, Jon Favreau.
Whether it’s a very minor role, I don’t know, but I’m speculating he won’t be a primary character in the film. I also do not know if they will have the character romantically linked to Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow). I believe it will be more of a cameo for a couple of reasons:
1. There is already enough going on in the movie with Stark, Potts, Stane, etc. Too many characters could gum up the works IMHO.
2. Favreau seems to be leaning far more heavily on the current version of Iron Man than on that from previous volumes of the comic book. Although I believe he and the writers have done their research, with Hogan being more of a sidelined character in the comic book these days, I think that will lead to him having a minor role in the film as well.
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Interesting theory. The only real problem I have with it is the fact that Happy should be a bit older than Tony, while Favreau is actually a year younger than Downey, but hey, that’s what you have makeup people for. On the other hand, he’s a lot taller than Downey, at 6’2″, and has the chops to play a boxer (Rocky Marciano in ’99), so why not?
Eh, what’s a year here or there?
Vic
Not only is Happy Hogan sidelined in current Iron Man issues, he’s dead. According to Editor-in-Chief Joe Quesada, they’re finally going to deal with Tony’s feelings on Happy’s death in this week’s issue (v4, #18). I’m betting they only give it a couple of panels.
–Jason
Oh man, that’s right… didn’t Spymaster kill him? I don’t know what the heck the point of THAT was…
Vic
Hey Vic,
Out of curiousity, what makes you say Happy’s a go? Anonymous tipster? You finally decreed it shall be so?
I was one of the most vocal over at SHH that they’d be skipping the character, and certainly that Favs wouldn’t be playing him if I was wrong.
Once we learned that they filmed at Fontana Speedway, I ate my words about the character. And the following changed my mind about Favs taking the role.
Check out these pics from the Made screening on February 17th, 8 weeks or so before filming.
http://www.vince-vaughn.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=84
Compare that to the MTV video starring the helmet and that Downey guy.
http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?name=news&id=1560958&vid=152549
Dude’s tightened up considerably. May just be the pressures of filming, but still… He was a favorite of mine for the role, I’m happy to think he may still be a contender. So to speak.
Another thought, the few (admittedly crappy) spy pics we saw of Paltrow at the concert hall made her look pretty shlubbed up, too. That may factor.
Chris, in regards to your first question, I did not just decide it was so.
Vic
I also though Jon looked really good in the MTV interview. He could play Happy.
Yes, in the comic, Spymaster recently beat Happy Hogan to near death (they really just fell off a catwalk), and then there was a flashback scene explaining that Happy didn’t want to end up like this boxer who was beaten so severely he’s now a vegetable. Pepper asked Tony to remotely shut off Happy’s life-support (using his new Extremis powers). Happy flatlined at the end of the issue, and it is left up to the reader to decide if it was natural or if Tony Stark went ahead and did it.
They say it will finally be addressed somewhat in the new book this Wednesday, but I don’t know.
Sorry for straying into comic book territory, but I like to remind people of what a mess my favorite hero’s comic book is right now. I’ve mostly been very happy with Joe Quesada, but not on Iron Man. To him, the new, “Iron Man: Director of SHIELD” issues are fascinating, and to me they’re dry and mean-spirited and a total distraction from what Tony should be working on.
A great writer named Christos Gage will write the book for two issues (during World War Hulk). He seems to really have a handle on the character, but sadly, after those two issues the book is back in the hands of Daniel and Charlie Knauf who are ruining it … again.
I’m thrilled that so far, the MOVIE is showing the COMICS how it’s supposed to be done! And when has that ever happened?!
-Jason
Thanks Vic! I’ll tell the guys at IM myspace to check out this site!
Chris,
Yeah, ol’ Shellhead has NOT been well-treated over the past few years, has he? And it does seem to be a funny commentary on things that (so far, anyway) it seems like the movie may do a better job of portraying Stark/Iron Man than recent comics. :-\
BTW, no worries at straying into comics. At least you’re doing it much more politely than have happened in some other posts (cough, Venom, cough).
And Adrian, thanks bud!
Vic
Nothin’ to say about Happy here. Just wanted to ask if anyone knew if there will be a trailer for Iron Man before Rise of the Silver Surfer or Transformers in theatre.
Kel,
Haven’t heard but I think it’s a little early. I have a feeling there’ll be some footage at the San Diego Comic-con, though.
Vic