It's a testament to the monumental popularity of Iron Man that even the contract machinations of the movie's director make for a prominent entertainment news story.
Jon Favreau (above) is not yet signed, sealed and delivered to the director's chair for Iron Man's sequel date with The Mandarin and War Machine. That made fans nervous that Favreau might not return to the Iron Man franchise he helped to forge. (See what I did there? "Iron?" "Forge?" Never mind.)
Soon, multiple reports broke that suggested Paramount wasn't willing to pay Favreau more for the sequel -- a strategy that would no doubt drive the director away from Tony Stark's side.
Of course, all of that fuss was just negotiating tactics -- as confirmed at Deadline Hollywood. When an agent and studio exec are throwing contract terms back and forth, neither side wants to appear too eager. The agent wants his hot director to seem like a guy who wouldn't mind directing the Iron Man sequel -- but could live without it. The studio wants to trot out the idea that the film was a success because of its concept and star, not the director. Eventually, they take off their masks and ask "Really -- how much?". In the end, Favreau is certain to get more than he earned with Iron Man II, but less than his agent probably wants. That's Hollywood.
Regardless, we're still talking unholy gobs of money everywhere for everyone associated with Iron Man 2.
Image courtesy Paramount Pictures
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