Sam Rockwell spoke to MTV recently about his upcoming Sci-Fi movie Moon, and they were wise enough to sneak in some Iron Man 2 questions.
We already knew that Sam Rockwell was playing Justin Hammer, and it was obvious from casting that there would be a different spin on Tony Stark’s business rival – but today we get our first bit of insight into director Jon Favreau’s approach to the character.
Rockwell told MTV News:
“They wanted to go with a rival for Tony Stark who is closer to his age, and make him American”
OK – so maybe it’s not really insight but just confirming what we thought. 
In the Iron Man comic book series, Justin Hammer was British and as evident in the image above, much older than Stark (go here for his comic book bio) and he ends up taking over Tony’s company and turning it into Stane International. He stole the Iron Man tech and sold it to a number of super-villains, thus setting up the classic “Armor Wars” story line, in which Tony goes all out to retreive all the stolen technology.
Rockwell went on to say that his character is brains and not brawn, and will not be donning any sort of super-powered armor in the film. Also, there’s a lot of improv going on in the film, which at first made me nervous – but if I recall the same was said about the first Iron Man movie.
Source: MTV
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Rockwell would make it more interesting and I’m glad they are doing it this way. I can’t really see him as a villian.
Don’t know much about Rockwell, but seems to be well liked. Even so, I’m sort of miffed that Favs didn’t stay true to the comic version. I’m still rather disappointed with this decision.
I think Downey Jr improvised and scripted a lot of his lines in Iron Man and that turned out very well.
@ future boy
many things were also not completely true to the comics on the first movie and it rocked!
as long as the “big picture” of the story is followed, it will be fine. regardless, comics are always unpredictable into what they are going to do, like a soap opera…..
making slight changes to fit a movie is more than welcome.
@Future boy
remember Marvel has total control of major action that have to to do with there film, and humbly agree with a younger vibrant Hammer with drive then a older comicbook Hammer that could have easy died from old age.
Ummmm as far as I remember it was revealed that Hammer obtained Stane Industries after Obidiah Stane’s death…. I don’t recall him ever taking over Stark Industries and TURNING it into Stane….
???
@Dave
I could be remembering it incorrectly – that WAS quite a few years ago. You may very well be right.
@Cat
Rockwell will indeed be playing a villain as far as I know.
Vic
Oh Thx. I don’t see him as a villian but I guess that’s what acting is all about.
I trust Favs completely with the Iron Man franchise. Who really cares if Hammer is 70 or 40?? As long as the character’s traits remain the same, it’s all good.
This use of Sam Rockwell, who IIRC was on the short-list to play the quick-witted Stark if no deal was reached with Robert Downey Jr., is really promising. I wonder if Favreau will borrow a bit from the first few issues of the latest Matt Fraction written series, and portray a nemesis who is more of a brilliant futurist than Stark, who undermines humanity over tech to his detriment (although Hammer here won’t be in costume and should instead be a better businessman)…although an upstart punk could be a good idea for part 3.
Off topic, Having seen (been dragged to) “Sunshine Cleaning” recently, though, I just realized what a huge loss it’ll be not having Emily Blunt in the cast. Dang, she’s good, and her presence brings an intellectual heft that would have been a great match to RDJ. Can’t say I see that offhand with ScarJo.
Rockwells one of those underrated actors in opinion. He was the only good thing about Galaxy Quest.(I know, who cares!)The only British actor I see playing the role is Ian Mcregor. “Armor Wars” would make a great 3rd movie.
When I first heard they wanted Hammer in it, I immediatly thought that Hugh Laurie would be perfect to play an older, British industrialist, but I am okay with Rockwell – as he will do a good job.
It’s fine to change small things like this, just not the abortion that Fox perpetrated by changing Deadpool.
Ugh
The thing that makes Tony unique in the world of huge coporations is because he’s relatively young to be such a powerful CEO. When I think of evil CEO’s I think of the crusty old dudes like Ken Lay and Abramof(sp). Just doesn’t feel right having a young Justin Hammer….almost like they merged him with Ty Stone /shudder
re: Deadpool – Agent Zero (Maverick) was FUBAR as well.
*blinks* Huh, he kinda looks like Willie Garson in that picture… I trust Mr. Favreau to do right by the character, even if he’s not exactly like the comics. Besides, having another old guy trying to take over the company would be a little too much like like the first movie.
I never even thought of Hugh Laurie and I love House. Matt if you read this that’s a very good pick.