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EXCLUSIVE SCOOP: Iron Man 3: Rift with Robert Downey Jr. Reason for Jon Favreau's Departure?

Comparing Iron Man 2 to the original, many people were left wondering, “What happened?” The answer, according to an exclusive scoop sent to CBM’s SciFi Media Zone, may offer up an explanation for Jon Favreau not directing Iron Man 3 that has less to do with salary and more to do with an alleged rift with star Robert Downey, Jr.

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By EdGross - 12/14/2010
“What happened is that on the first one they sort threw the script out and kind of improvised the whole thing and they stuck a landing,” says the source, a prolific member of the Hollywood community whose identity can't be revealed, but who's about as credible as they come. “They stuck the landing and it turned out to be a good movie. Then the attitude was, ‘Let’s do it again.’ The problem is that if you do it once, you’re lucky. Trying to do it twice, your odds of success aren’t that great. Robert Downey Jr. and the director, Jon Favreau, their friendship broke up over that whole mess of the second movie. Did you notice they didn’t do press together?”

The question, of course, is why they had this falling out. “Because the movie sucked, and I think Robert Downey, Jr. blamed Jon Favreau. That’s why Downey dropped out of Cowboys and Aliens, because he didn’t want to work with Jon Favreau again. Also, by the way, it’s why Jon Favreau dropped out of The Avengers. I thought the odds of him directing Iron Man 3 were slim, and that proved right.“
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DCMarvelFreshman - 12/14/2010, 6:06 PM
What! I don't know about this. I mean, i HAVE gotten the impression that RDJ that he didn't like Iron Man 2 much - I believe he actually said that. But Robert & Jon beefing....

I think they want to go in a completely different direction with IM3, one that could include the Mandarin...maybe. I wish they'd just put IM3 on hold, and work on new projects to earn money for The Avengers sequel.
CaptainAmerica - 12/14/2010, 6:10 PM
and everyone is blaming Marvel lol dumb[frick]s. If this is true it would have been a new director, or a new Tony Stark. Marvel made the right choice.
WolvieCBM - 12/14/2010, 6:11 PM
IM2 did not suck, come on...It had some problems but it did not suck...And I don't think that is the reason for Favreau not directing IM3 at all.
P862010 - 12/14/2010, 6:18 PM
if this is true [frick] rdj

favs is the reason you have your career back

he is the one who cast you not marvel
Runefyst - 12/14/2010, 6:19 PM
So Favreau's an improv-type director? Maybe it's not such a bad thing he's moving on then. Cuz he won't strike gold everytime....
Xandera - 12/14/2010, 6:26 PM
@Cap - I agree... if i had a choice to make between Favreau or RDJ... I would take RDJ
P862010 - 12/14/2010, 6:28 PM
ok guys what if nolan left and they went with batman 3 still
jbak368 - 12/14/2010, 6:28 PM
I always got the impression that it was more because RDJ is an improv type actor.
jbak368 - 12/14/2010, 6:29 PM
This could still be okay though guys. Favreau did a good job, but he's no auteur - it should be no problem for another good director to make a movie fitting the style of the first two.
jbak368 - 12/14/2010, 6:30 PM
Also, @P862010 - if Nolan left, they'd probably lose most of the main cast too, and it would be time for a reboot.
LEEE777 - 12/14/2010, 6:31 PM
I don't blame RDJ not liking IRON MAN 2 but I doubt it has any real effect on FAV's walk!

IRON MAN 3: ARMOR WARS!

: p
KEROSENE - 12/14/2010, 6:32 PM
when did RDJ drop out of the avengers??
gunner - 12/14/2010, 6:32 PM
This all kinda makes sense now ....Too Bad :(
ibscpy1 - 12/14/2010, 6:35 PM
its super official.

http://twitter.com/jon_favreau

He outed it 2 hrs ago
JoshWilding - 12/14/2010, 6:35 PM
The plot thickens. However, I do not for one second agree with them saying that Iron Man 2 "sucked". It may not have been as good as the first one, and it may have had more 3* reviews than 4* or 5*, but I thought it was great. What let the movie down was it's script - a writer than RDJ recommended. If they fell out about anything, it was probably THAT! :P
souhunter - 12/14/2010, 6:37 PM
I think this is all BS I want to here it from thim not some
Shit face ass clown.
the1egend1ives - 12/14/2010, 6:41 PM
I knew that RDJ was the big reason why the first Iron Man did so well. If Downey Jr. is blaming Favreau, then maybe the rift was because Favreau wouldn't let Downey do his own thing? That was my assumption the whole time and why I thought IM2 was saw negatively by a lot of fans. Even I, who liked the movie, could see that the film lacked a clear focus and direction.

So what does this mean for the Avengers movie? Should Joss Whedon give Downey what he wants? Downey seems to know the character well, but this could lead to a downplay of the other characters if Whedon gives RDJ full control. Hopefully RDJ knows that The Avengers is not about Iron Man but about all the heroes.
DudeLove721 - 12/14/2010, 6:47 PM
Bullshit rumour mongering, RDJ had to turn down Cowboys & Aliens because of the option on a Sherlock Holmes sequel: Once the first was successful, he had to film the second and it was filming at the same time as Cowboys & Aliens... it's as simple as that, he didn't snub Favreau. What a load of crap!
RorschachBros - 12/14/2010, 6:53 PM
I think I'm just going to start sending in reports calling myself "as credible as they come" and see if you post it
LP4 - 12/14/2010, 6:53 PM
Favreau made RDJ what he is today. Ever since IM1, RDJ has been getting roles like crazy and he has Favreau to thank. If it is true about a 'spat' between them then shame on RDJ
supert - 12/14/2010, 6:54 PM
What a load of garbage this "story" is.

Favreau says over at another website in an exclusive interview with them that the reason he left was not a fallout in negotiations with Marvel or anyone else. He simply wanted to do something that he could come up with and create himself and not have any set expectations.

Simple as that.
WorldsGreatestdetective - 12/14/2010, 6:56 PM
@ Superkalkixass lol every article you just post some absurd statements over Nolan. You are one of a few who does not enjoy the adaptation that Nolan has done, which is phenomenal since it really caught the mythos, a real sense of pathos and essence of Batman. He show'd what drives a man to be this Hero and What effect that This Hero brings to the city, the very thing as Batman fans have been craving for. It may not be the most direct adaptation of having the gray and black kevlar suit or having the villains beyond our sense of reality but it is the best thing you are ever going to get out of the comic book adaption. You will never get such a plot and the belief that wow there very well could be a real life superhero and he doesn't need powers. I will say one thing though I wish Nolan would extend reality to make such villains as Mr. Freeze or Clayface be in his movies, because his take on characters is great.
mydixiewrecked - 12/14/2010, 6:57 PM
Favreau said on his twitter that he's not doing IM3. which is sad. The writer for IM2 should be to blame more then anything, not even close to the level of awesomeness that IM1 was. Plus I think Marvel took away a lot of creative freedom from Favs by forcing so MUCH Avengers/SHIELD stuff into IM2. But nonetheless, the show must go on. I think Marvel will pick a good director to do IM3, RDJ will kill it again and all will be forgotten.
HAQ - 12/14/2010, 7:00 PM
That's not professional (word to u know who).
Hawksblueyes - 12/14/2010, 7:02 PM
I'm not saying this is true but it is easy for me to beleive. Downey is all about improv. While it worked great for IM, it would get more difficult each time to fly by the seat of your pants while sticking to a continuing story. I could easily see Favreau not wanting to continue in that direction.

You also have to remember that Marvel has a definite plan for these films. Downey isn't going to improv his way in a direction that takes away from that plan. That would have to be a pain in the ass, keeping him reigned in on the set.

It would also explain why he is still attatched as Ex. Producer on The Avengers. He can produce and let someone else worry about handling Downey on the set.

All along, my biggest fear for The Avengers is Downey wanting to run the show and it won't work with that kind of cast. I like his acting (he is fantastic) but every time I read or see an interview with him, he comes off as a self centered, arrogant, know it all.

While Downey is great as IM, he only has 1 or 2 more chances to portray him before his age becomes a factor.
If he is a problem on the set of The Avengers, I wouldn't be surprised to see him replaced and possibly see Favreau back at the helm.
ComradeGrey - 12/14/2010, 7:04 PM
Jeff Bridges.
manofmidgard - 12/14/2010, 7:06 PM
no downey in avengers? ouch, that hurts. gettin worried about avengers. captain america looks bad, especially his costume, there's yet another new hulk actor, what they've said about hawkeye's costume is worrisome, there's no giant man and no wasp, and i dunno even why widow is in the movie. at least thor seems awesome...

(sigh) guess without downey they could just have a guy in the suit, never see tony stark... which might be why downey didnt wanna do it, since he wouldnt get much face-time, but i'd think stark would be crucial to the avenger's mansion, which they pretty much hafta have.

hmmm, on a stray thought, i wonder if there will be a real jarvis, or if he is gonna be a computer like in ironman?

lol oh and i guess theyll hafta find iron man a new chaffeur in IM3!

Curmudgeon - 12/14/2010, 7:07 PM
http://herocomplex.latimes.com/2010/12/14/jon-favreau-explains-why-he-traded-iron-man-3-for-disneyland-trip/

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Jon Favreau begs to differ with all reports of leaving over any conflicts.
JackJNapier - 12/14/2010, 7:08 PM
i loved both movies.
GUNSMITH - 12/14/2010, 7:08 PM
.............
Curmudgeon - 12/14/2010, 7:11 PM
He even said HE'S STILL STAYING ON AS PRODUCER OF THE AVENGERS.

NO RIFTS, BITCHES!
Ronnie11 - 12/14/2010, 7:15 PM
OH [frick] NO....Favreau helped iron man franchise grow...stupid move..i just don't buy this theory...other sources are telling it was over marvel executives cramping more characters...don't know what to believe...
WorldsGreatestdetective - 12/14/2010, 7:20 PM
@ Superkalkixass, I love TAS but you can't compare the two. TAS has 85 episodes and continued into the New adventures and Batman beyond, It had more time and they treated each week as a new comic story, where it didn't follow the episode previous. But I equally enjoy Nolan's Films because they have morals and question whether Batman is a good thing or bad thing for society. Sure TAS had great stories but Nolan's conflicts of morals just plays out like an epic discussion. And people will say Batman's battles with Joker are discussions based whether Batman's life is a joke or their is purpose to this all. Nolan trumps TAS in the fact that Batman may not always sub come to the best methods to save Gotham, but even if he isn't viewed as a hero Gotham needs him as their protector
on3badmammajama - 12/14/2010, 7:21 PM
ITS OKAY!! ZACK SNYDER CAN DIRECT! lololololololol?
supertrackmonkey - 12/14/2010, 7:22 PM
@Superkalkixass: There are over a billion dollars in ticket sales that prove otherwise.
DDD - 12/14/2010, 7:30 PM
I think this rift sh!t is just made up by these
online sites. Favreau is Executive Producing.
There is no rift! They're just getting a new
director, is all, for IM3.

Favreau has said from the beginning he wasn't
directing THE AVENGERS. They brought in someone
who can handle ensemble casts with big names,
JOSS WHEDON.

RDJ dropped out of COWBOYS & ALIENS cuz he's
just over-busy with so many projects he couldn't
fit that in too!

All this drama is all made up, that's what I
think!
supertrackmonkey - 12/14/2010, 7:32 PM
@BaneKill77: Downey has always been a big talent, but due to his addictions and drug abuse, he lost his A-List status long ago. It wasn't until Kiss Kiss Bang Bang that people started to take notice of him again.
He was hired in the role because he was cheap (a MARVEL trademark) and Favs thought he was the best talent for the project. Which doesn't mean he was a big name star.
Future - 12/14/2010, 7:38 PM
Hello everyone. Im a long time visitor and reader of comicbookmovie.com and a huge Batman fan. I'd never bothered signing up before cos I'd rather just sit back, read other peoples stuff and enjoy the bickering from a far.
However recently i have been reading comments by certain individuals and im getting quite sick of hearing from him. superkalkixass, you are the most unintelligent person i think i have ever heard from on here! you shit me up the wall. How can you even compare the animated series with a live action film? of course the animated series are going to be more accurate, their only democraphic are those of us, not the general population, as is the demographic of the Nolan films. The Nolan films are there to make money for WB, and that is all!
thekabsin - 12/14/2010, 7:39 PM
Wow, Scarlett Johansson and Ryan Reynolds broke up too. Anymore trash gossip that we can discuss on this site? Where in that does it say that Robert Downey Jr will not be in The Avengers? Have we not gotten confirmation that he is in The Avengers? Who cares? Jon Favreau did a good job, Iron Man 2 wasn't better than the first, but it was good. Iron Man 3 won't be happening for awhile and if Marvel is trying to get a rush on it maybe Favreau just wanted to get on with something else. Oh well, RDJ is Iron Man though and I don't see him letting that role get away from him too quickly. He will be Iron Man at least two more times on the big screen that we know of, then Marvel can take it from there. The only thing that sucks to me is that Favreau all so had his lil roles in the Iron Man movies that I liked. Usually the guy behind the camera doesnt step in front of it while the camera is rolling so to me it doesn't really matter who is directing. Marvel has money and they actually seem passionate about what they do with their material and who is morphing and molding it.
Favreau all so never expressed an interest in directing The Avengers and seemed to shy away from the whole idea when he was questioned about it. I don't think that he wanted to take on a movie that could be a potential mess especially if a lot of what he films really is improv.
DDD - 12/14/2010, 7:40 PM
Why all this hate for Nolan?

Batman Begins was an awesome movie and
was every bit a Batman as I've ever seen.

TDK was just done a little differently
but surely wasn't trash! I thought Bale
and Ledger were dynamite together as
vicious adversaries! No one can slight
Ledger's performance, not realistically,
it was phenomenal! It was just a different
take on Batman.

I truly like Bale's performances in these
movies but I liked BEGINS better as a whole.

I can't wait for the 3rd one!

All this drama is all made-up and overblown!
Geez, talk about making something out of
nothing!
thekabsin - 12/14/2010, 7:48 PM
I don't like Batman. I have always been a pretty big Marvel fan. I love the new Batman movies. He doesn't come across as a cheesey lame character. DC characters to me always seemed goofier and cheesier. I am not sure why, I mean I love Spiderman and Hulk and the X-Men, practically all things Marvel and I can not say that there is such a huge difference considering they are all imaginative super heroes. I could just never relate to Batman or Superman or Green Lantern. The Justice League is not appealing to me whatsoever. I love what Nolan has done with the franchise and I am happy to finally be interested in a DC character. The acting, the story telling, the weapons/technology, the tone of Gotham. It is not cheesy or lame. I do not like the way Bale voices Batman at times he sounds like he is trying to lump out a hard one but hey whatever, if thats my biggest complaint it isn't enough to drive me away from the film.
Future - 12/14/2010, 7:52 PM
@Superkalkixass. you have no bloody idea do you mate? im sick of hearing all your shit.Oh and please learn to use proper grammar, i think that is probably annoying me most of all.
adamdusza - 12/14/2010, 7:55 PM
Iron Man 2 did not suck. Heck I like it more than the original, mostly because I always like the second movie better than the original since original always deals with the origin. Too bad Favreau is out, guess that means he will also be replaced as Happy. Sure they will be just fine.
selinakyle - 12/14/2010, 8:03 PM
Ok IM2 did not suck. It wasn't as good as the first but it was still an enjoyable movie. This news has me feeling all sad inside.
akthunder - 12/14/2010, 8:08 PM
Downey left Cowboys and Aliens because of Sherlock Holmes 2. He did not have enough time for both.
thekabsin - 12/14/2010, 8:13 PM
I like how the guy who bashes the Batman movies on youtube claims to be the biggest Batman fan and he is wearing a Superman shirt. Yeah that is right I am calling you out. Oh yeah he knows a hundred other guys, and a hundred other guys, that is two hundred guys by my count. I bet he knows two hundred dudes. I am sure the hardest decision they make is not whether or not to wear a cape but whether or not to wear a mask with their cape. "Am I feeling Super or Batty tonight? All I know is that I want me some man" Yeah that was kind of a bad gay joke. Sorry to anyone who might be gay, even if you like doing that sorta thing you must have a sense of humor right? Everyones entitled to their opinion....yeah okay sure.....but why are people so freakin nutty about it sometimes? There are things you can dislike and you can definitely bash whatever you want freely but to go as far as saying these movies are terrible? Comparing them to cartoons? I love the people who want a crazy plot and character development in their Transformer movies that are developed by a TOY COMPANY haha. I love the Transformers movies for the same reasons I like old 80s action flicks. Explosions, bad humor, and action. Movies don't need to be made and to be made the "right way" with that kind of funding is not going to happen because it still needs to appeal to a broad audience. We all knot this by now....Night friends
TheDetectiveComicRises - 12/14/2010, 8:17 PM
Awwwwwww Superkalkixass is now on Ironman subject still hatin on Nolan look guy stop crying Batman franchise is hot! and is the hottest thing still out in CMB not matter how U look at it and the reason it is hot, its live action not cartoons as I told U b4 things in the comics and cartoons can not always be done in live action but Nolan does pay plenty of respect towards Batman comics he just does not over do it. & remember if Nolan did leave it would be way HUGE! but thank God he is devoted and he is focused on TDKR do deal with it!

thekabsin I do respect ur comments because at least U are real, I am a huge Batman fan though, yea Bale's voice is different but he is following direction and plus it does make things believable from the stand point of me saying "I did not know that was Bruce Wayne under the cowl!" He potrays Bats like the BadA** he is really that is the way Bob Kane created Batman. but even thou I said alot of Batman this is about Ironman, IM 2 did not suck, it is not my favorite but it was okay, a little to much comedy but hey IM 3 may be better I mean think about it at least Michael Bay is admitting the let downs about Transformers 2 and he is focused on making 3 better. but hey I respect ur opinion thekabsin :)

Misterfan - 12/14/2010, 8:19 PM
HOLY GOOD NEWS! I'm glad his out of the chair. i thought RDJr was awesome, but the movies had this lack of CLIMAX for me tho.
Orehrepus - 12/14/2010, 8:21 PM
Coon - 12/14/2010, 8:28 PM
How can a human with a working brain compare a video game script to something that grossed over a billion dollars? I love the animated series, it is the best animated series ever. But you must be a total moron to make that argument. You call TDK a long episode of Law and Order? That show was badassery on network TV. You are just mad because you don't get to see Robin. Well guess what... [frick] ROBIN. You can not set a movie in reality and have a teenager jumping around a city beating the crap out of guys with guns. What are you going to do, spend two movies covering the six or seven years of training Robin would need to be on par with Batman in fighting skills? Oh, he's athletic? So what. It does not make sense for the films, get over it. You and Joel Schumacher can go play with Chris O'Donnell's nipples if you love Robin so much. A character from a cartoon, or comic book, will not always work on film. A good example of that is the stuff with the Hulk. Neither movie did that great because it's hard to crossover from comic to film and make it believable. And if I hear of any other person going nuts saying that Batman and Robin was better than TDK, I will go insane.
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