image: Paramount Pictures

It’s not going to simply be adapted to fit the screen as is usually the case. Instead, it will be digitally remastered using IMAX DMR technology to give it a clearer, sharper image and better sound.

“We’re thrilled to once again be working with Paramount and our long time friends at Marvel Entertainment as we help to bring their characters to life in IMAX,” said IMAX president Greg Foster. “The combination of Marvel’s iconic Iron Man story, Jon Favreau’s brilliant vision and Paramount Pictures’ talented team coupled with IMAX will make for a wild cinematic experience.”

I don’t usually need to see a movie in IMAX but I think I’m going to have to go for this one.  It sounds like it’s going to be pretty awesome.

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Paramount Pictures

As if Tony Stark wasn’t already cocky enough, he’s gotten downright overconfident and fails to realize that he’s made himself a target which isn’t a good thing considering the fact that, before Stark’s transformation, his family’s company created weapons that ruined people’s lives.  Now that he’s enjoying his even more over-the-top notoriety, people are coming out of the woodwork to remind him of Stark Enterprise’s past.  Should be interesting.

Mickey Rourke looks hella good as Whiplash and it also looks like Pepper and Tony are heating up a bit.  Check out the trailer and tell me what you think!

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image: Paramount Pictures

What do you think of this poster?  I have to laugh at the lame newspaper clippings on the wall behind Whiplash but aside from that, it looks cool to me.  The whips are, obviously, his signature weapon so I’m glad they don’t look stupid.

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image: Paramount Pictures

The film is being released on May 7, 2009 with Don Cheadle replacing Howard.  Rhodey will eventually become War Machine who is brought to life by modifying the silver Iron Man suit and taking it on as his own.  He’s going to have a full set of weapons at his disposal, most notably that massive machine gun turret on his shoulder.

I’m not completely sure if Iron Man and War Machine are going to be buddies in this movie (part of me wants Iron Man to hate him since I don’t like Cheadle in this role).  In the comics, the two did have a falling out but they were able to patch things up over the years.  I can’t wait to find out what this movie’s storyline is all about.

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I’m also going to just confess that I really hate the casting of Scarlett Johansson as Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow.  There.  I’ve said it.  I’m not a huge fan of hers anyway but she just doesn’t strike me as capable of pulling off a role like this.  She’s too busy pursing her lips and trying to look seductive and it just comes off looking like she’s trying too hard.  Nothing’s wrong with a little eye candy in a movie but at least be good for the role while you’re sexing it up.

I’ve digressed enough.  Check out the pictures.

images: Paramount Pictures

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image: Paramount Pictures

The character first made an appearance in 1968 in the Tales of Suspense #97 comic book and has gone through several transformations over the years and became known as Blacklash in Iron Man #146 (May 1981).

In the movie, Rourke will be Russian prisoner, Ivan Vanko, so it’s not surprising that his portrayal of Whiplash will include elements of Crimson Dynamo, a Russian/Soviet agent who wears powered armor.

I have read that Rourke took the casting very seriously and even researched the role by visiting Butyrka prison and even suggesting that half of his dialogue be in Russian.  That is incredible dedication and makes me feel a lot better about this sequel.  I think that if he can be bring the kind of energy and enthusiasm that he did to The Wrestler, he could be amazing opposite Robert Downey Jr. Besides, it’s also just great to see them both enjoying major career comebacks.

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image: Paramount Pictures

I wish Terrence Howard were reprising his role but I’m going to give Don Cheadle a chance even though I think he’s completely wrong for the part of James Rhodes.  I just hope this isn’t one of those situations where the first movie does so well that the studio fails to try as hard and then the follow-up is just okay at best.

Due to copyright laws, I cannot publish the images in this post but you can click on the following link to see the new Iron Man 2 production stills.  Aside from the ones of Nick Fury, there are some shots of Tony Stark/Iron Man inside of a giant donut hole (don’t ask, just look for yourself).

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Apparently, the producers backpedaled on an agreement to share the film’s profits with the actors.  It’s a heft ransom when you consider the fact that the movie made more than $318 million.  “They produced a great bounty with the first one, but they put it all in the storehouse and you were not allowed in,” he says. “They did the same thing with Gwyneth Paltrow, from what I’ve been told.  They did it with everyone but Robert Downey [Jr].  One of the things that actors need to do is always stick together: one for all, and all for one.”

I’m inclined to agree with him on several points.  The first is that actors really do need to stick together and, if this is true, I’m disappointed that Robert Downey Jr. didn’t speak up for his co-stars.  After everything he’s been through in the industry, he should know how important it is for actors to be treated fairly.

The second thing is that I wholeheartedly agree that they shouldn’t have placed Howard, especially not with Don Cheadle.  They don’t have the same look, feel or vibe to them and I think it might bring the sequel’s “cool factor” down a notch.  It’s just not right and Howard was great in the first flick.

If he’s mad, though, he’s still being a gentleman since he’s not spilling any of the upcoming movie’s secrets:  “I’ve seen the script, I know what’s going to happen — but I’m not revealing anything. I believe in karma.  When someone does something wrong, you don’t have to get them back. Everything right will return the favor for you.  I’m definitely looking forward to seeing the movie. I want to see Don Cheadle become me. No, I want him to do better than me.  That’s what I really want to see. Don Cheadle was the reason I got Crash, so I have a lot of love for him.”

Good for him for having a good attitude (he’s certainly more optimistic than I am!).  What do you think of the casting change?  Will you still see Iron Man 2?

Photo Credit: Zade Rosenthal/Paramount Pictures

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