‘Iron Man’ lifts Marvel’s earnings

Marvel Entertainment delivered some much-needed superhero news Tuesday, reporting “Iron Man” boosted third-quarter profits 40%.
The Gotham film, comic and licensing outfit also raised full-year guidance for 2008, but cautioned that 2009 will see a movie-less lull and resulting earnings softness and a recession hit of 10%-15%. In 2010 and 2011, the company forecasts a rebound thanks to a return to two tentpole releases a year.

For the quarter, net profit hit $50.6 million, up from $36.3 million a year ago. Total revenue surged 48% to $182.5 million.

Results were especially strong, execs said, because revenue associated with the B.O. on “Iron Man,” some $60 million, was recorded earlier than expected.

The Paramount release kickstarted the summer in May. Along with “The Incredible Hulk,” a solid Universal hit in July, it pushed the company’s film unit to $90.2 million in revenue. “Iron Man” came out on DVD on Sept. 30, the last day of the quarter.

Both titles together have collected nearly $1.1 billion in worldwide B.O. and homevid revenue.

- from Variety

Poor Blu-ray! Still waiting for sunny days

When Toshiba finally gave up on the HD DVD format earlier this year, many in Hollywood breathed a sigh of relief. With a distracting format war out of the way, they figured, there would be nothing to stop consumers from making the switch to high definition DVDs. But while Blu-ray won its battle with HD DVD, it’s still unclear whether it will win the war for consumers’ hearts. Sales are up substantially, particularly for male-oriented f/x heavy titles like “Iron Man,” but from a very small base. Prices for players are falling rapidly, below $250 at many retailers currently and on their way to under $200 by Thanksgiving weekend. But in the face of a slumping economy, are consumers ready to spend even a couple of hundred dollars for an upgraded viewing experience, not to mention $10 more per disc?

“I am cautiously optimistic,” says Universal home entertainment topper and Blu-ray booster Craig Kornblau. “But I would be wildly optimistic if the environment was what it was six months ago.”

At the Consumer Electronic Show in January, soon after Warner Bros. essentially killed HD DVD by committing to Blu-ray, format backers predicted $1 billion in software sales for 2008. As of the end of September, however, sales had reached around $300 million, according to Variety sister pub Video Business. Q4 is expected to be huge, but even if the 200%-plus growth Blu-ray has seen so far this year grows, $1 billion is almost certainly out of reach. (Overseas, Blu-ray perf is about even with the U.S. in Japan, while the European market is about one year behind.)

Beyond the economy, there are several potential factors noted by insiders:

n Following the end of the hi-def format war, it took several months for manufacturers to start expanding player production to match the new HD DVD-free environment.

n While many retailers discount DVDs as much as $5 off of the wholesale price to drive customer traffic, they’re not yet doing the same for Blu-ray. Result is that standard DVDs are often as cheap as $13 their first week, but Blu-ray discs never drop less than $25 and are often $30 or higher, resulting in a huge price differential that consumers have a hard time justifying. “It’s a bigger gap than it should be given the wholesale price,” notes one homevid exec.

n Sony’s PlayStation 3 remains mired in third place behind the Nintendo Wii and Microsoft’s Xbox 360 and hasn’t proven to be as big a booster of Blu-ray movie sales as some had predicted. Hopes that the videogame console, which costs $100 to $200 more than its competitors, would get a price cut for the holidays were recently dashed.

n Hype around digital distribution may be putting off some consumers from making the switch to Blu-ray. Even though revenue from Internet downloads remains miniscule, it has gotten a disproportionate amount of attention in the media and may be convincing some consumers that disc-based movies won’t be around wrong, making Blu-ray a bad investment.

- from Variety

Now we know why Terrence Howard was recast in Iron Man 2

Hollywood insiders believe the exit stems from Terrence Howard’s difficult behavior on the set of Iron Man. But those with intimate knowledge of the situation suggest a far more dramatic backstory: Howard was the first actor signed to the film and, on top of that, was the highest-paid. That’s right: more than Gwyneth Paltrow. More than Jeff Bridges. More than Robert Downey Jr. And once the project fully came together, it was too late to renegotiate his deal. It didn’t help that, according to one source, Favreau and his producers were ultimately unhappy with Howard’s performance, and spent a lot of time cutting and reshooting his scenes. (Favreau could not be reached for comment, while Howard’s publicist says: ”Terrence had a tremendous experience working on Iron Man.”) As such, when Favreau and screenwriter Justin Theroux went to map out the sequel they found themselves minimizing Howard’s story line. Once Marvel learned that Favreau was thinking of curtailing the role, the studio went to the actor’s agents with a new and drastically reduced offer — a number that’s similar to what supporting cast members were paid for the first movie. The agents, according to sources, were so taken aback by this new figure — estimated at somewhere between a 50 and 80 percent pay cut — that they questioned it. Why did they blanch? Multiple sources say that Marvel execs never told Howard’s reps that they had issues with the star’s on-set conduct. (Marvel would not comment for this story.)

- from EW

Downey Jr. extends Marvel deal, to star in ‘Avengers,’ ‘Iron Man 3′

Robert Downey Jr. is living up to his title as Marvel Studios’ Iron Man.

In addition to starring in “Iron Man 2,” Downey has agreed to return as billionaire Tony Stark and his crime-fighting alter ego in “The Avengers” and a third “Iron Man” installment, guaranteeing the thesp a superhero-sized payday and his own ongoing franchise as part of a four-picture deal with the comicbook company.

Jon Favreau, who is set to helm the second “Iron Man” pic, will also exec produce “The Avengers,” which is skedded for release on July 15, 2011. Pic will unite the Iron Man, Captain America, Thor and the Incredible Hulk characters.

Company confirmed that Don Cheadle will replace Terrence Howard as Col. James Rhodes in the “Iron Man” sequels. Cheadle will also appear in “The Avengers.”

- from Variety

“Iron Man” duo Robert Downey Jr. and Jon Favreau will reunite for “The Avengers,” Marvel Studios’ film about its team of superheroes. Don Cheadle, whose deal to replace Terrence Howard in the “Iron Man” movies has been finalized, also has signed to perform in the action movie.

Downey has signed a four-picture deal with Marvel Studios, which will see him reprise the character of Tony Stark not only for “Iron Man 2″ and “Iron Man 3,” but also for the “Avengers” movie. (The deal retroactively includes the first “Iron Man.”)

Favreau, who is directing “Iron Man 2,” will exec produce “Avengers.” Cheadle will play Jim Rhodes, Stark’s best friend, who becomes the suit-wearing hero “War Machine.”

Marvel’s current slate is designed to introduce superhero characters via individual movies that lead up to the characters teaming up for “Avengers,” which is set for a release in 2011.

Marvel hoped and planned for Downey, who made a cameo in “The Incredible Hulk,” to be involved in “Avengers” but the deal took some time to nail down.

- from THR

MARVEL STUDIOS PRODUCTION UPDATE

ROBERT DOWNEY JR. AND JON FAVREAU SUIT UP FOR MARVEL STUDIOS’ THE AVENGERS AND IRON MAN 2

As part of his four picture deal with Marvel Studios, Robert Downey Jr. is appearing as Tony Stark in THE AVENGERS motion picture, as well as reprising his starring role as the larger-than-life leading character in IRON MAN 2. Jon Favreau will return to direct the sequel to the blockbuster IRON MAN, which to date has grossed over $578 million worldwide, as well as executive produce THE AVENGERS.

Academy Award® nominee Downey was most recently seen in the summer comedy blockbuster TROPIC THUNDER starring opposite Ben Stiller and Jack Black. Before Iron Man, he was best known for his film roles in KISS KISS BANG BANG, WONDER BOYS and CHAPLIN, the film for which he was nominated for an Oscar®.

In addition to directing the first IRON MAN, Favreau has previously directed ELF, ZATHURA: A SPACE ADVENTURE and MADE. He is also well known for writing and starring in SWINGERS. He will next be seen acting in FOUR CHRISTMASES, I LOVE YOU MAN and COUPLES RETREAT.

DON CHEADLE WILL STAR AS RHODEY IN IRON MAN 2

Marvel Studios is pleased today to confirm that an agreement has been finalized with award-winning actor Don Cheadle to take on the role of Colonel James “Rhodey” Rhodes in Marvel’s IRON MAN 2 due in theaters on May 7, 2010. In casting Cheadle, Marvel replaces Terrence Howard who appeared in the role of Rhodey in IRON MAN.
Cheadle is also signed on to perform the same role in THE AVENGERS and subsequent installments of the IRON MAN franchise.

“We are very excited about working with the extraordinarily talented Don Cheadle as we expand the role of Rhodey in Iron Man 2. It has already become apparent as we prep the movie for production, that the dynamic between Robert and Don will take Iron Man 2 to new heights,” said Kevin Feige, President of Marvel Studios.

Cheadle is best known for his Oscar® nominated lead performance in HOTEL RWANDA as well as his role as Basher Tarr in the OCEAN’S franchise, CRASH and SWORDFISH.

Based on Marvel’s iconic Super Hero, IRON MAN 2 continues the story of this summer’s box office blockbuster IRON MAN, the first feature film produced independently by Marvel Studios. IRON MAN 2 will be produced by Marvel Studios’ President, Kevin Feige, and executive produced by Louis D’Esposito, Jon Favreau, Stan Lee, David Maisel and Denis Stewart.

In a movie event, THE AVENGERS will bring together the super hero team of Marvel Comics characters for the first time ever, including Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, the Hulk and more, as they are forced to band together to battle the biggest foe they’ve ever faced.

The highly anticipated sequel to IRON MAN will be released in theatres on May 7, 2010 and THE AVENGERS will be released July 15, 2011. Both films will be distributed by Paramount Pictures.

Cheadle is represented by UTA. Downey and Favreau are represented by CAA.

Samuel L. Jackson Talks Nick Fury’s Role in Iron Man 2

IESB sat down at a roundtable interview with Sam Jackson and asked specifically about his role as Nick Fury in the IRON MAN sequel (Even just to verify his return considering the abrupt replacement of Terrence Howard by Don Cheadle).

Jackson replied that as a matter of fact, IRON MAN director Jon Favreau spoke to him at the Scream Awards last night, (dammit, IESB was there but neither of them walked the red carpet!), and Favreau told Jackson that Nick Fury would have a much more prominent role in the second one. Which honestly isn’t hard to accomplish considering he was relegated to the end of the film with a very short cameo.

- from IESB

Even Terrence Howard Was Shocked About Iron Man 2 Recast

When the announcement hit that Don Cheadle was replacing Terrence Howard as Col. James Rhodes in Iron Man 2, the reaction was severe – most people seemed to really like Howard. Not only was it shocking to all of us, but apparently Howard himself didn’t even know until he read the news. “Yeah, I found that out, too,” he said in an interview with NPR recently. “It was the surprise of a lifetime. There was no explanation. But it was gone… just up and vanished.” The night after the news was announced, I was talking with another friend of mine, who firmly believed that Marvel had announced this just as a way to get Howard’s attention – and that he might be back eventually. Now I’m not really sure what’s going on?

Howard added that, “I read something in the trades implicating that it was about money or something. But apparently the contracts that we write and sign aren’t worth the paper that they’re printed on, sometimes.” If you think that’s a brutal way to cut off an actor, just listen to Howard’s semi-emotional response. “Promises aren’t kept, and good faith negotiations aren’t always held up. Even friendships, people you support…”

- from firstshowing

‘Iron Man’ Writers Want Hulk To Be ‘The Avengers’ Villain

Everything in the Marvel Film Universe is leading to the eventual superhero tag team-up, “The Avengers,” with Iron Man, Ant-Man, Thor, and Captain America all fighting side-by-side. What possible villain could compete with that?

“The Incredible Hulk” director Louis Leterrier told MTV News this past June that he didn’t think any villain could, and suggested that they use a hero instead: his.

“Iron Man” writers Mark Fergus and Hawk Ostby, who themselves may be writing another Marvel movie in the near future, couldn’t agree more, they told MTV News, insisting that everything is building towards making The Hulk the villain in the eagerly anticipated 2011 movie.

“I hope ‘The Avengers’ embraces that,” Fergus said of having the Hulk as misunderstood baddie. “You don’t want like 10 super-badass good guys fighting together. Where’s the fun in that? Let’s break it off a little. Friends or colleagues who become enemies is always an interesting thing because you know it’s based on love and friendship and that’s always the worst thing to have turn bad — is someone you actually care about and someone you actually believe in.”

- from MTV

Don Cheadle joins ‘Iron Man 2,’ replacing Terrence Howard

Don Cheadle is stepping in to replace Terrence Howard in “Iron Man 2,” Marvel Studios’ sequel to its summer blockbuster.

In the movie, Howard played Jim Rhodes, Tony Stark/Iron Man’s best friend and future armor-clad hero War Machine. One scene featured Howard looking at a silver suit of armor and saying “Next time,” a line that caused great delight for fans.

But there will be no next time for Howard.

Marvel had no comment, but sources close to the deal said negotiations with Howard fell through over financial differences, among other reasons. Marvel, which had wanted to work with Cheadle, then decided to take the role in another direction and approached the actor, who is shooting Antoine Fuqua’s “Brooklyn’s Finest” with Richard Gere and Ethan Hawke.

- from THR

Top DVD Sales and Rentals for Week Ending October 5, 2008

Rentrak Retail and Home Video Essentials, business units of Rentrak Corporation (NASDAQ:RENT), today announced the Top 10 DVD sales and rentals for the prior week based on estimated consumer spending.

According to the company’s proprietary tracking services, the top ten selling DVDs and the top ten most rented motion pictures, per data collected for the week ending October 5, 2008 include:

Rentrak Top 10 Selling DVDs*
RANK TITLE STUDIO WEEKS IN RELEASE
1 Iron Man PAR 1
2 Forgetting Sarah Marshall UNI 1
3 Sex and the City – The Movie NLH 2
4 Speed Racer WAR 3
5 Leatherheads UNI 2
6 The Forbidden Kingdom LNG 4
7 The Nightmare Before Christmas
(Collector’s Edition) DIS 6
8 88 Minutes SNY 3
9 The Office – Season 4 UNI 5
10 Baby Mama UNI 4

*Week ended October 4, 2008

Rentrak Top 10 Renting DVDs
RANK TITLE STUDIO WEEKS IN RELEASE
1 Iron Man PAR 1
2 Forgetting Sarah Marshall UNI 1
3 Leatherheads UNI 2
4 Baby Mama UNI 4
5 88 Minutes SNY 3
6 Made Of Honor SNY 3
7 Sex And The City: The Movie NLH 2
8 The Love Guru PAR 3
9 The Forbidden Kingdom LNG 4
10 What Happens In Vegas FOX 6

Jeff Bridges Talks Tron Sequel, Iron Man

Iron Man turned out to be one of the biggest films of the year. Why do your first big blockbuster now?
The big draw for me with Iron Man was [director] Jon Favreau. I got the
script and wasn’t sure I wanted to do it, but when I heard that Jon was
involved… I was a big fan of his from the moment I saw him in Swingers,
and I’d been following his career. I found it intriguing to have him directing a big comic book movie. When he told me he had Robert Downey Jr, I thought that’d be wonderful. Jon had a very hard time convincing the powers that be that Robert was the right man, but he was such a wonderful off beat choice.

Is that why you signed up for the new Tron movie?
Yeah, that’s another unique, wild experience that was too good to turn down. Engaging in that world again feels just like it did all that time ago. Basically, I’m still a child, I love being childlike, and here was another chance to play with these crazy toys. And the cutting-edge technology makes it exciting. Doing the teaser trailer for Comic-Con, I had my first experience of motion capture. And that’s turning the industry on its head. It’s amazing being part of that.

There’s such a retro love for Tron. How do you bring it up to date?
Well, when we made Tron there was no internet, no cellphones. But now we have motion capture, so I think we’ll get a far more successful version of the story, which is someone literally getting sucked into a video game. When we did King Kong in the 70s, one minute you’d have a shot of Rick Baker in this big suit and then you’d cut to this 80ft stiff model, and they looked nothing alike. Compare to that Peter Jackson’s King Kong the technology is there and they did a wonderful job. I thought they created a beautiful Kong. So I hope that’ll be the same for Tron.

- from Guardian