No Iron Man 2 for Mickey?

[Norrin Radd]

I hope Marvel Studios soon realizes that they're beginning to look bush league.

Mickey Rourke Out Of Iron Man 2

By Katey Rich: 2009-02-18 14:17:44

New York Magazine seems to think that Mickey Rourke is a lock to win Best Actor on Sunday, which might be why he was so kind to give them a big scoop about his participation in Iron Man 2. Apparently the financial negotiations are just as bad as we thought, and Rourke told them yesterday "Right now, we're not doing Iron Man 2."

It sounds like Rourke would still be interested in doing the role, if they would offer him more than peanuts and free opening night movie tickets to be in the role. OK, maybe they're not shortchanging him quite that badly, but this production's reputation for stiffing key talent-- first Favreau, then Jackson, now Rourke-- is really getting out of control. Rourke seems to be borrowing Jackson's tactic of talking, vocally, to the press about the troubles, and that might help them win out. But if we're deprived the sight of Rourke and Robert Downey Jr shooting the shit onscreen, Marvel Entertainment is really going to be on notice.

http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Mickey-Rourke-Out-Of-Iron-Man-2-12061.html

 

[T'Baio]

Marvel better get their shit together.

That, or just hire Tom Rothman and get it over with.

 

[CaptainCanada]

Rourke's not exactly a huge draw; sure, his movie earned a lot of praise, but I'd much rather they keep their costs reasonable than start shelling out tons of cash for every role. Salaries are one of the most out-of-control things in Hollywood.

 

[John Picard]

Mickey Rourke, Nick Nolte, and Gary Bussey are all past their prime and effing whacked. There is much better talent out there to draw from, and my money is on Mickey not doing much if the Oscar hype holds true.

 

[miraclefan]

Rourke's not exactly a huge draw; sure, his movie earned a lot of praise, but I'd much rather they keep their costs reasonable than start shelling out tons of cash for every role. Salaries are one of the most out-of-control things in Hollywood.

AGREED! what I am really concerned about is if Sam jackson will reprise his role as Ultimate Nick Fury? I mean come on, was Jackson asking for so much money that MARVEL really couldn't PAY him?

 

[Dream]

Mickey Rourke is a talented actor. However his presence in the sequel is not required for the movie to be great.

 

[CaptainCanada]

Rourke's not exactly a huge draw; sure, his movie earned a lot of praise, but I'd much rather they keep their costs reasonable than start shelling out tons of cash for every role. Salaries are one of the most out-of-control things in Hollywood.

AGREED! what I am really concerned about is if Sam jackson will reprise his role as Ultimate Nick Fury? I mean come on, was Jackson asking for so much money that MARVEL really couldn't PAY him?

I'd gladly lose Jackson, too, if there was a chance it would mean we'd get the real Fury, rather than the Ultimates caricature of Jackson's film persona.

 

[Icemizer]

I would like it if Jackson is cut no big loss I want teh real Nick Fury. Rourke? Eh? He would be in armor most of the time anyway. I really want Verne Troyer as the Gremlin wearing the Titanium Man armor.

 

[the Dagman]

Playing Devil's Advocate here:

It seems that most of you fans are forgetting that Marvel Studios is a recent start-up company. One that started up entirely on borrowed money in the year that gave us the greatest economic crisis since the Great Depression. Sure, they managed to release two live-action movies to great critical acclaim. One was a bona fide mega-hit (Iron Man) and the other termed "successful"(Incredible Hulk, turned a profit). And they have also released a couple of direct to DVD animated films to a profitable return as well. But through this relative handful of films, they still don't own the deed to their house, they are still paying that monthly "mortgage" payment to the bank.

So I can see good reason for Marvel to be frugal. They are still using other people's money, and don't want to get themselves in too deep paying big salaries. That is why they are going after the "troubled" actors for their parts. Good talent for a cheap price looking for their way back into the big time. And they scored with Downey, big time. Mickey Rourke was another from that same roster, but it looks like Oscar beat Marvel to the punch, putting Rourke out of Marvel's price range.

Don't worry though. There are plenty of talented, down and out actors in Hollywood looking for any way into the casting director's office. Keep an eye out for the next celebrity mug shot to hit the tabloid tv shows, I am sure that Marvel is. Particularly when casting a villain. Someone like a Todd Bridges, only with talent.

 

[T'Baio]

That is why they are going after the "troubled" actors for their parts. Good talent for a cheap price looking for their way back into the big time. And they scored with Downey, big time. Mickey Rourke was another from that same roster, but it looks like Oscar beat Marvel to the punch, putting Rourke out of Marvel's price range.

Don't worry though. There are plenty of talented, down and out actors in Hollywood looking for any way into the casting director's office. Keep an eye out for the next celebrity mug shot to hit the tabloid tv shows, I am sure that Marvel is. Particularly when casting a villain. Someone like a Todd Bridges, only with talent.

I was with you, nodding my head, thinking "yeah, I never thought of that, he's right" until I got to the point I quoted above. Everything before that is still true, but you're so wrong here.

First, Downey, even before Iron Man, wasn't all that cheap. He was already on his way back up. Second, do you know how much it costs a production to insure people with Downey's and Rourke's pasts? A lot. Plus, it was Favreau who wanted Downey, not the studio. But my main point, the insurance on people like these guys is in the millions, so they're not there because they're cheap.