The Avengers The Avengers = Iron Man 3?

[knowsbleed]

MrBeaks at AICN brought up a good point in the fact that RDJ is going to be the biggest star in The Avengers.

Another challenge for Whedon: managing egos, and not allowing THE AVENGERS to turn into IRON MAN 3 just because Robert Downey Jr. is the biggest star in the cast. This needs to be a true ensemble effort. If anyone leads the way, it should be Captain America. Though I don't know much about the script (Nick Fury allegedly plays a significant role in the narrative), I wouldn't be surprised if pressure is brought to bear on Zak Penn to beef up a role or two before the film goes before cameras in early 2011. Love Downey, love Tony Stark, but, as Harry said a couple of weeks ago, I'd rather this be the superhero version of THE PROFESSIONALS - with a slight emphasis on Cap. Or Henry Pym.

http://www.aintitcool.com/node/44644

I personally don't know how well Whedon will handle sidelining a big name like RDJ but I'm thinking that a side by side leadership role will come into affect as Evans doesn't have the charisma that RDJ has to carry this movie as THE leading man.

What say you?

 

[bullets]

I can easily see Robert Downey overshadowing everyone whether he means to or not in his performance. They need to have Captain America make some important decisions for the team.

 

[Deaths Head II]

I have faith in Whedon's ability to deal with an ensemble. Sure he never really had as big of a star as RDJ, but I think if this does become Iron Man 3 it'll be because of a Marvel Studios decision to beef up his role.

 

[J.Howlett]

Actually, I think it all depends on the reception and box office of Thor and Captain America.

If both do well, this shouldn't be an issue. But, it's going to be hard nonetheless. It's RDJ. The dude has the "juice" right now with two Iron Man films and Sherlock Holmes. As they say in sports, he's in the "zone" right now in Hollywood.

 

[Raiden]

I think RDJ is a team player; he's no Tom Cruise imo. RDJ did Tropic Thunder in an ensemble cast just fine. I think RDJ is smart, and he will realize that The Avengers must be about the team, not an Iron Man & the Avengers show. Of course, it might very well turn into X-Men, where Wolverine overshadows everyone else. Until I hear otherwise, I'll be cautious optimistic about this.

 

[Spider-Fan]

Whedon is great at ensembles. Watch Firefly. The characters interact phenominally. In Firefly, you could argue Adam Baldwin is like the Stark of the show. The cool guy, but the leader is undoubtedly Nathan Fillon's character. I know this is not indicative of RDJ vs Evans, but it shows Whedon knows how to use characters. Stark will prob have a leadership storyline going on in the film, and I assume Whedon will show why Cap is leader and not Stark. I am not worried this will become IM3, I actually see this being Cap 2 much more easily, given the man out of time story that will likely carry the film more so than the other storylines.

 

[Moridin]

Actually, I think it all depends on the reception and box office of Thor and Captain America.

If Hemsworth is right then Avengers will begin filming next January/february, before Thor and Cap are released.

I think RDJ is a team player; he's no Tom Cruise imo. RDJ did Tropic Thunder in an ensemble cast just fine. I think RDJ is smart, and he will realize that The Avengers must be about the team, not an Iron Man & the Avengers show.

I agree, I really don't think RDJ will be all "I MUST be the center of attention in this flick!", I reckon he'd want the movie to as good a possible and will do whatever he can to make it so.

 

[FrostBite]

I really do think it'll be Iron Man 3. Whether RDJ wants it or not. The franchise will be the only one to have two entries before leading into The Avengers, and the general populace is fawning over RDJ like college freshman with Prof. Jones.

There's no way not just Evans, but ANYONE can overshadow him. My guess is importance will be:

Iron Man>Cap>Thor>War Machine>Black Widow & Fury>Hulk

 

[TikkiEXX]

i dont even look at it like that. of course people will have their favorites but i dont see them tailoring the movie to be IronMan and Friends. im sure everyone will have their moments to shine

 

[FaT_tONle]

That's why it is essential to bring back Norton and utilize his ability to cancel out the egos. If you relegate Banner to an extended cameo with nothing following the first act (if that) beyond a final battle appearance, it will no doubt be an Iron Man show. It's going to be tough to pull off but at least you can balance some out the egos if Evans does enough in the Cap movie and Norton is given a significant time. Now there is the issue of how Ed will mesh with Wheldon knowing the studio will be heavily hands on. The script better be phenomenal otherwise I don't see him back.

 

[Spider-Fan]

Everyone here is fawning over RDJ, too. You guys act like there is no other show in town and that he is so talented, he'll stomp everyone. RDJ's Stark is phenominal, but RDJ is also an actor. Marvel might have used IM as a way to build their ship, but I don't see Avengers being the IM show. I still feel Cap is going to be the #1 character. Ever hear the term save the best for last? Cap is getting the lead into Avengers. He is the leader. Marvel I don't see pulling a Wolverine in X-Men on us.

I see the importance being:

Cap>IM>Thor>everyone else

Marvel had a lot of legal boundaries with Cap to hurdle, and took their time casting Cap for a reason. I love RDJ, but he is not god nor this mountain that makes everyone else look like crap no matter how good they are. He's an actor, and if he has the #2 role, I don't see him trying to overshadow anyone. Those years seem to be behind him.

 

[Superhero 101]

Well if Norton is on board i don't think RDJ will steal the show it will be Norton!!!! j/k D but i don't think RDJ will steal the show he will just give it more of a zing to it. But Whedon does have a lot of pressure handling Jackson, Scarlett, Evans,Hemsworth,and Downey and maybe even Norton. I hope he doesn't do the 5 minutes of screen time crap like the X-men movies

 

[Spider-Fan]

Just to illustrate a point, there was a time no one could out act Christian Bale. Then TDK happened. Then he phoned it in on TS.

I'm just saying, everyone here is putting RDJ on a ridiculous pedistal. Yes, he is great, but to say you can't make an Avengers film with him as the #2 character just because he is great is absurd. Ford is a much better actor than Mark Hammil, but who was the star of the Star Wars films?

Cap = Luke Skywalker
Iron Man = Han Solo

Solo may be more flashy and liked by the audience, but undoubtedly Luke was the main character and heart of the films. I see the same happening in Avengers. Stark will be flashy, Cap will be the heart and main character.

 

[FrostBite]

Some of us aren't saying he will be the focus because he's great. I personally enjoyed TIH far more. But the general populace will care about RDJ more than anyone else. I can guarantee that. The guy is a money maker right now, and the Iron Man franchise especially.

All some of us are saying is we will be surprise if Marvel doesn't pimp him out and demand he be the star so they can rake in even more cash than they will from having the first superhero movie cross-over flick.

 

[Spider-Fan]

Who was the more bankable Star Wars character after the first film? Luke or Han? Undoubtedly, Han was the one audiences loved, did that force Lucas to make him the main character in the next 2 films? No, Luke was still the main character and heart of the film. Cap is the heart of the Avengers. I feel Marvel understands this, and I don't see Marvel making Han (or Stark in this case) the main character.

 

[knowsbleed]

The comparisons with Wolverine are noted... but are very different IMO.

Wolverine has always been one of the most popular X-Men... the anti-hero with a mysterious past. So of course it was going to translate over to big screen... especially with Jackman's portrayal.

Iron Man... who really cared before Favreau and RDJ updated him? Nobody. I consider Iron Man a sleeper amongst the superhero movies. The movie and the actor made Iron Man endearing to audiences... not the comic version of the character... whereas Wolverine already had a large built-in following.

 

[Spider-Fan]

I agree with knows here. Prior to the first IM film, Cap had way more name recognition and popularity. Iron Man is more popular right now thanks to RDJ and the film. However, I don't think that means Marvel will suddenly see $$$ and make him the main character, as in my previous Star Wars example. Lucas was MUCH more pressed for money making TESB than Marvel will be in making Avengers, and he didn't make Han the main character still. I don't see them doing that. They are not FOX.

 

[Chewy]

They'll market the film as Iron Man 3, but they won't make the film itself Iron Man 3.

 

[Octoberist]

it depends with the ending of Iron Man 2, really.

 

[Spider-Fan]

I don't think it will be marketed as IM3, either. The biggest draw for the film is not Iron Man. The draw is the fact it is the first crossover film of this magnitude. They will market this as a team film. THAT is Avengers greatest selling point. Not just 1 performance. Iron Man will be a BIG marketing point, but so will Cap, Thor, etc. We'll prob get like 5 posters for the film. One for each main character.

 

[Octoberist]

Iron Man of course has the advantage of having TWO movies about him. For the non-fan, they'll like the others for sure but I think RDJ will be the drawing point besides the visual effects and scope of the film.

 

[knowsbleed]

My beef is that I don't see Evans having as much charisma/delivery potential as RDJ does. The camera will LOVE RDJ while he is playing Stark/IM.

Mayhaps FF has forever scarred me as I cannot see Evans as anything but a smartass, anti-teamplayer.

 

[Spider-Fan]

But the issue is whether this will be IM3, and I just don't see why Marvel would do it. The film's prime draw is it is an epic crossover, not another Iron Man film. I think if it is marketed as another Iron Man film, it would not be the best marketing strategy. You make 5 posters, display all of them in theaters, and make sure you showcase all the characters. Yes, Cap-IM-Thor will be more heavy on advertising than the others, but I don't see them making this like 1/2 IM, 1/4 Cap, 1/4 Thor in marketing. Not wise. Do it equally. Reach the fan bases of those franchises, also. Makes more business sense to market the entire product equally, not 1 over the others given the primary draw of the film.

 

[Abraham]

the peak of whedon awesomeness for me though (and proof that he can do more than just strong female leads) is angel season 5. if can balance the big 3 (and that other guy) as well as he balanced angel, spike, gunn and wesley (although not in a directorial capacity admitedly) then this movie will avoid the "(insert your choice of the big 3 here) and the avengers" feel that has loomed over the idea of an avengers movie for me since it's first mention.

Never watched the show but that all sounds fantastic, especially the bolded part. I have been legitimately worried this movie was going to basically be Iron Man 3: featuring Captain America, Thor, and Hulk.

 

[Spider-Fan]

My beef is that I don't see Evans having as much charisma/delivery potential as RDJ does. The camera will LOVE RDJ while he is playing Stark/IM.

Mayhaps FF has forever scarred me as I cannot see Evans as anything but a smartass, anti-teamplayer.

You're speaking as someone who has not seen his Captain America. If this is the reason people feel this way, wait til Captain America comes out. Things will look different when Cap has a film and we're not caught up in IM2 hype, which I think is a major part of this RDJ love fest.