According to reports, Marvel Studios is attempting to bring comic
book character "Iron Fist"to the big screen with writer Rich Wilkes ("XXX") now attached to draft a screenplay.
'Iron Fist' aka 'Danny Rand', a practitioner of martial arts was created by writer Roy Thomas and "Green Lantern" illustrator Gil Kane,
debuting in "Marvel Premiere" #15 (May 1974).
Co-creator
Thomas said that the origins of Iron Fist owes much to writer/illustrator Bill Everett's 1940's comic book superhero, "Amazing-Man".
"I'd seen my first kung fu movie, even before a Bruce Lee one came out,"
said Thomas, "and it had a thing called 'the ceremony of the Iron Fist' in it."
"I thought that was a good name, and
we already had 'Master of Kung Fu' going, but I thought, 'Maybe a superhero called 'Iron Fist', even though we had 'Iron Man', would be a good idea'. Stan (Lee) liked the name, so I got hold of Gil and he brought in
his 'Amazing Man' influences, and we designed the character together..."
"...Plunging his fists into the molten heart of the dragon 'Shou-Lao the Undying' infused the dragon's superhuman energy
into 'Rand', This along with training by 'Lei Kung the Thunderer' gave Danny Rand the power of the 'Iron Fist', allowing him
to summon and focus his chi (or natural energy) and enhance his natural abilities to extraordinary levels.
"The ultimate expression of this focus is the ability to concentrate his body's natural energies into his hand, manifesting
as a supernatural glow around his clenched fist, making his fist 'like unto a thing of iron'. So concentrated, this 'iron
fist' can smash into its target with superhuman hardness and impact, while his hand becomes impervious to pain and injury.
However, the feat of summoning the power required leaves Rand physically and mentally drained, unable to repeat the act for
a time.
"Other applications of the Iron Fist power include the ability to focus chi energy inward to heal oneself or outward to heal others of injury, as well as the
ability to telepathically fuse his consciousness temporarily with another person and meld with that person's mind..."
Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek Marvel's "Ultimate Alliance 2", featuring "Iron Fist"...
January 26, 2010
Through a collaboration between Marvel Studios and Columbia
Records, rock band AC/DC's music will be featured in Marvel Studios' "Iron Man 2," the sequel to the 2008 film "Iron Man". In addition, Columbia Records will release the album "AC/DC: Iron Man 2", April 19, 2010, featuring 15 classic
AC/DC songs selected from ten of the band's studio albums, ranging from 1976 to 2008. The film opens internationally April
28, 2010. In North America "Iron Man 2" will be distributed by Paramount Pictures, starting May 7, 2010.
The debut video from "AC/DC: Iron Man 2" is the AC/DC album cut "Shoot To Thrill," filmed live last month in
Buenos Aires during the band's 'Black Ice World Tour'. The video also incorporates footage from the new movie.
"Jon Favreau's vision and passion for AC/DC's music
blend seamlessly into this incredible film," said Steve Barnett, co-chairman, Columbia Records.
"Music is an integral part of the Tony Stark and Iron Man experience, and we are pleased that Columbia and AC/DC
are taking part in the franchise's phenomenon," said said Tim Connors, Chief Operating Officer, Marvel Studios..
"Through this relationship, the band is delivering
fans supercharged Iron Man branded music through all our combined consumer touch points, from the movie to retail outlets
and even virally with the debut of the new video."
Jon Favreau returns to direct "Iorn Man 2," with
Robert Downey Jr. reprising his as 'Tony Stark' aka 'Iron Man', with Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, Scarlett Johansson, Sam
Rockwell, Mickey Rourke and Samuel L. Jackson.
Based on Marvel's superhero character, "Iron Man
2" continues the story after "Iron Man", the first feature film ever produced independently by Marvel Studios.
"Iron Man 2" is being produced by Marvel Studios'
President, Kevin Feige.
"
January 16, 2010
Marvel Entertainment and Paramount Pictures report that "Iron Man
2", directed by Jon Favreau, starring Robert Downey, Jr., will be released to digital IMAX(R) theatres simultaneously with
the film's worldwide release, May 7, 2010.
The film's limited IMAX release will be digitally re-mastered into the image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience(R)
with IMAX DMR(R) technology.
"Iron Man 2", sequel to Marvel's "Iron Man", will be distributed by Paramount Pictures. "The success of the first
Iron Man movie catapulted the franchise from the comic books to theatre screens, and we're excited that the IMAX format will
offer fans an even more immersive way to experience the sequel," said Tim Connors, Chief Operating Officer, Marvel Studios.
"Iron Man 2 is a fantastic addition to our growing film slate for
2010, which is filling out faster than any previous year," said Richard L. Gelfond, CEO Of Toronto-based IMAX. "The rollout
of our digital projection system has enabled us to add more films to the slate, and we're very excited to partner with Marvel
and Paramount on this next installment of the incredible Iron Man franchise."
"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 Greg Foster, Chairman and
President of IMAX Filmed Entertainment.
"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."
"...Based on Marvel's iconic Super Hero, Iron Man 2 continues the story of the 2008 summer box office blockbuster
Iron Man, the first feature film to be produced independently by Marvel Studios. The first film in the franchise has grossed
over a half billion dollars worldwide at the box office. The IMAX release will be digitally re-mastered into the image and
sound quality of The IMAX Experience with proprietary IMAX DMR (Digital Re-mastering) technology. The crystal-clear images
coupled with IMAX's customized theatre geometry and powerful digital audio create a unique environment that will make audiences
feel as if they are in the movie..."
Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Iron Man 2"...
December 17, 2009
Sneak Peek the new trailer for the Paramount sequel "Iron Man 2",based on Marvel Comics characters created by writer Stan Lee and illustrators Don Heck/Jack Kirby.
"Iron Man 2" is set six months after the events of "Iron Man", with the
secret ' S.H.I.E.L.D.' organization continuing to play a major role.
The film also explores Stark's alcoholism, his unwillingness
to accept his advancing age, his glib approach to life while concealing the fact he is Iron Man and his jealously towards
love interest 'Pepper' (Gwyneth Paltrow), finding another boyfriend. Robert
Downey Jr. reprising his role as 'Tony Stark' aka 'Iron Man', said the film was not an adaptation of the "Demon in a Bottle" storyline from the comic book series, but more about the 'interim space' between the origin and demon story arc.The film also stars actors Don Cheadle as 'Col. James "Rhodey" Rhodes,
Gwyneth Paltrow as 'Pepper Potts', Sam Rockwell as 'Justin Hammer', Samuel L. Jackson as 'Nick Fury'and Scarlett Johansson as 'Natasha Romanoff' aka 'Black Widow'.
'The Black Widow', was created by writers Lee, Don Rico and illustrator
Heck, debuting in Marvel Comics "Tales of Suspense" #52 (April 1964) and introduced as a "gorgeous new menace" for 'Iron Man'.
Natasha appeared for the first time in a skintight black costume in "The
Amazing Spider-Man" #86 (July 1970).
Born in Stalingrad, she trained as a spy/martial artist for the Soviet's
'Black Widow Ops' program, becoming 'bio-technically' enhanced.
Her gear is equipped with an arsenal of high-tech weaponry, including a pair of wrist-mounted energy weapons
called the 'Widow's Bite'.
"Iron Man 2" will be released May 7, 2010.
Sneak Peek "Iron Man 2"...
December 6, 2009
Sneak Peek the new character poster focusing on Marvel Comics villain
'Whiplash', played by Mickey "The Wrestler" Rourke in the Paramount sequel "Iron Man 2",based on characters created by writer Stan Lee and illustrators Don Heck/Jack Kirby.The film also stars actors
Robert Downey Jr. as 'Tony Stark'/'Iron Man', Don Cheadle as 'Col. James "Rhodey" Rhodes, Gwyneth Paltrow as 'Pepper Potts',
Sam Rockwell as 'Justin Hammer', Samuel L. Jackson as 'Nick Fury'and Scarlett Johansson as 'Natasha Romanoff' aka 'Black Widow'.
'The Black Widow', was created by writers Lee, Don Rico and illustrator
Heck, debuting in Marvel Comics "Tales of Suspense" #52 (April 1964) and introduced as a "gorgeous new menace" for 'Iron Man'.
Natasha appeared for the first time in a skintight black costume in "The
Amazing Spider-Man" #86 (July 1970).
Born in Stalingrad, she trained as a spy/martial artist for the Soviet's
'Black Widow Ops' program, becoming 'bio-technically' enhanced. After falling in love with the 'Winter Soldier', Natasha was
deployed with false memories and married test pilot 'Alexi Shostakov, aka the 'Red Guardian'. Her gear is equipped with an
arsenal of high-tech weaponry, including a pair of wrist-mounted energy weapons called the 'Widow's Bite'.
"Iron Man 2" will be released in 2010...
November 28, 2009
"Iron Man 2', the upcoming Paramount sequel, based on Marvel Comics 'Tony
Stark' aka 'Iron Man', is directed by Jon Favreau with actor Robert Downey, Jr. reprising the title role.
The film will be released May 7 , 2010.
"Iron Man 2" is set six months after the events of "Iron Man", with the
' S.H.I.E.L.D.' organization continuing to have a major role. The film explores Stark's alcoholism, as he is unable to cope
with his advancing age, concealing the fact he is Iron Man, and dealing with his budding love interest 'Pepper' (Gwyneth Paltrow),
finding another boyfriend. Downey revealed that
while the film was not an adaptation of the "Demon in a Bottle" storyline from the comic book series, it was more about the
'interim space' between the origin and the demon story arc.
Cast of "Iron Man 2" also includes Don Cheadle as 'Lt. Colonel James "Rhodey" Rhodes' aka 'War Machine', Scarlett
Johansson as 'Natasha Romanoff' aka 'Black Widow', an undercover spy posing as Stark's assistant, Sam Rockwell as 'Justin
Hammer' and Mickey Rourke as 'Ivan Vanko', aka 'Whiplash', son of Russian scientist 'Anton Vanko' aka 'Crimson Dynamo'.
Rourke researched for the part by visiting 'Butyrka' prison, suggesting
that half of his character's dialogue be in Russian.
June 8, 2009
Mickey Rourke is the villain 'Whiplash' in the "Iron Man" sequel set
for release May 7, 2010.
The Marvel Comics character is noted for his leather outfit and use
of retractable, cybernetically-controlled steel whips.
In various comic books since the 1960's, he has been a foe of ''Iron
Man, 'Captain America' and 'Spider-Man'.
The villain's alter ego, 'Ivan Vanko', is a Russian who "has constructed his own version of a suit," "Iron Man
2" director Jon Favreau said.
"It was very important that the villain be as compelling as can be.
Once I thought of Mickey in that role, it made me understand how to shape the story..."
March 13, 2009...
Actress Scarlett Johansson is in talks to star as Marvel Comics villain 'Black Widow' for Paramount's "Iron Man
2", directed by Jon Favreau, starring actor Robert
Downey Jr., reprising his role as 'Tony Stark'.
The character 'Natasha Romanoff', aka Black Widow was created by writers
Stan Lee, Don Rico and illustrator Don Heck, debuting in Marvel's "Tales of Suspense" #52 (April 1964), as a "gorgeous new
menace" for 'Iron Man'.
Natasha wore her first skintight black costume in "Amazing Spider-Man"
#86 (July 1970).
Born in Stalingrad, she trained as a spy/martial artist for the Soviet's
'Black Widow Ops' program becoming 'bio-technically' enhanced.
After falling in love with the 'Winter Soldier', Natasha was given false memories and married Russian test pilot
'Alexi Shostakov, aka the 'Red Guardian'.
Natasha's Black Widow high-tech arsenal includes a pair of wrist-mounted energy weapons, respectfully called
the 'Widow's Bite'.
"Iron Man 2", scripted by Justin Theroux will start production this spring
for a summer 2010 release by Paramount...
March 10, 2009...
Actor Mickey "The Wrestler" Rourke will play Marvel Comics villain 'Whiplash'
in "Iron Man 2", following a meeting with director Jon Favreau and sscreenwriter Justin Theroux to develop the character and
incorporate elements of Marvel villain 'Crimson Dynamo'.
Rourke joins actors Robert Downey Jr. as 'Iron Man', Samuel L. Jackson as 'Nick Fury' and Scarlett Johansson
as 'Black Widow', in Paramount's "Iron Man 2"...
February 14, 2009...
'Crimson Dynamo', the Marvel Comics' character debuting in the 1963 comic
book "Tales Of Suspense" #46, will be the main villain in "Iron Man 2" for director Jon Favreau. The Marvel film production
starts shooting this spring.
'Professor Anton Vanko' was a PhD Soviet scientist who constructed a suit
wired to perform electrical tasks, making the wearer a human dynamo.
The Crimson Dynamo battle-suit enabled superhuman strength and durability, with an outer layer composed of a
'carborundum matrix' alloy.
The suit was also fully-loaded with hand-blasters for firing high-frequency energy bolts, small missiles contained
in the back shoulder area and rocket 'boot jets' for flight.
Soviet premier Nikita Khrushchev impressed by the device's capabilities, challenged Vanko to wear the suit
as the Crimson Dynamo and go to America to destroy Iron Man, sabotaging the defense efforts of 'Stark Industries'. The first
"Iron Man" feature grossed over $600 million worldwide. Paramount Pictures will distribute "Iron Man 2", summer 2010...
