Drew Pearce Explains How Working On RUNAWAYS Led To Writing IRON MAN 3

We already know that at one point Pearce worked on a script for Marvel's now canceled Runaways movie, but while chatting to io9 the scribe explains how that project losing momentum led to him thinking (and writing) about how he'd tackle a third Iron Man flick..

By MarkCassidy - May 20, 2013 08:05 AM EST

Filed Under: Iron Man 3

Source: io9

Pearce has already spoken about working on the now canceled (but still being discussed as a possible future project) Runaways movie for Marvel, but in an in-depth interview with io9 he elaborates on how that movie being canned ultimately led to him thinking about how much he loved the first Iron Man movie, and completely out of the blue began to write down some ideas which eventually became a 30-page document. Here is what he had to say on the matter in full:

"I’d made my superhero TV show No Heroics, and that led to writing Runaways for Marvel — but in September 2010, that project started to lose momentum, due to the imminent gigantic world-building of Avengers. And at the same time, I had my first kid. I was up at 4am every morning, feeding the baby and going out of my mind with lack of sleep. I started to watch DVDs – including the first Iron Man, which I consider the gold standard of modern superhero movies, and Iron Man 2, which I do not. And basically, I started thinking of what I’d do with a third movie. And writing it down. And at some point, after four weeks, I had a 30-page document. I have no idea how. That pitch has subsequently become known at Marvel as “the Jerry Maguire document”.

I sent it to my Runaways producer, and she reacted by a) telling me I’d gone mad and b) saying that legally, she probably couldn't even accept it. I convinced her to read it, though, and she reluctantly passed it up the chain to Stephen Broussard, the IM3 producer, and Kevin Feige himself. And…

Their reaction was a deafening silence. In fact, in Stephen’s case, when I met him in a corridor later that year, there was a look of genuine fear in his eyes that suggested he thought I was a psychopath. Quite understandably. So I forgot about the document, and got on with my life."

But of course, that wasn't the end of it -- Kevin Feige called and asked for a meeting 3 months later, and the rest is history. Be sure to click on the link below to check out the full interview, in which Pearce discusses many other aspects of the film, including that ever controversial Mandarin twist.

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14 Comments

KungFuKoala - 5/20/2013, 9:26 AM

Should have stuck to looking after the baby Drew.

TelaVizion - 5/20/2013, 9:28 AM

But guys, How would Runaways work when we don't have that many supers and villains out there in the MCU???

Reasonnnn - 5/20/2013, 9:33 AM

Iron Man 3 is the 2nd/3rd best film in the MCU (The Avengers, Iron Man 3, Iron Man).

KeefNCookies - 5/20/2013, 9:44 AM

I enjoyed Iron Man 2 more and it was tied in last with Incredible Hulk (booooo Norton).
Sucks to be a fan...

shamo - 5/20/2013, 9:51 AM

worst movie i've seen all year.

JoeMomma29 - 5/20/2013, 10:19 AM

Gusto loves runaways!

Reasonnnn - 5/20/2013, 10:25 AM

@RemyLebeau I pretty much have the same list, I would put TIH last though.

EdgyOutsider - 5/20/2013, 10:41 AM

@RemyLebeau: I will have to disagree.

1: The Avengers
2: Captain America: The First Avenger
3: Iron Man
4: Thor
5: Iron Man 3
6: The Incredible Hulk
7: Iron Man 2

I think Drew Pearce did a good job on Iron Man 3. The humor at unnecessary times more than once and the over use of humor just killed the movie for me. Marvel still doesn't have a bad movie. Iron Man 2 is good if you watch it for as it is. An entertaining popcorn movie.

mrHJK - 5/20/2013, 5:40 PM

1) Iron Man
2) The Avengers
3) Iron Man 3
4) The Incredible Hulk
5) Thor
6) Captain America: The First Avenger
7) Iron Man 2

Wish they'd make Runaways.. or do a television show.
But I'm pretty sure it's dead..

Also, their reaction to his pitch makes zero sense.

SuperSpiderMan5778 - 5/20/2013, 9:46 PM

IRON MAN COMIC BOOKS and LISTENING TO THE FAN BOYS AND GIRLS SHOULD'VE LED YOU TO WRITE IRON MAN 3 FAWK WHY DO THEY FOCUS ON BEING GROUNDED, REALISTIC AND TRYING TO BE CLEVER AND MAKE CINEMATIC ART WHEN THEY SHOULD JUST FAWKIN STICK TO THE SOURCE OR GIVE FANS WHAT THEY WANT BY MAKING A MOVIE THAT STAYS TRUE TO THE SOURCE AND PLEASES THE GENERAL AUDIENCE LIKE JOSS WHEDON. I WANNA PEARCE GUY AND DREW'S HEART WITH A CHITAURI SPEAR, SMACK SHANE BLACK IN THE HEAD WITH MJOLNIR, HULK SMASH TREVOR (KINGSLEY) AND BLOCK ALL THE DELUSIONAL POSITIVE COMMENTS ABOUT IRON MAN 3 WITH CAP'S SHIELD.

AmazingFantasy - 5/21/2013, 5:54 AM

Jon could have done miles better, it's kinda funny how RDJ controls marvel now.

what the [frick] happened guys

We expected this

We got this

Shame

Drew Pearce Explains How Working On RUNAWAYS Led To Writing IRON MAN 3

We already know that at one point Pearce worked on a script for Marvel's now canceled Runaways movie, but while chatting to io9 the scribe explains how that project losing momentum led to him thinking (and writing) about how he'd tackle a third Iron Man flick..

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