Jon Favreau
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Iron Man and Iron Man 2 director Jon Favreau participated in a live chat at the Los Angeles Times yesterday.

During it, the director answered a slew of questions from fans of the movie, mostly centered on the sequel. Here are highlights:

On the antagonist in Iron Man 2: "We're playing with who the villain should be and what we should incorporate from the comic book. And how it will lead into the Avengers."

Plot of the sequel: "The sequel is shaping up to incorporate Tony's vision for the future. What happens after he says 'I am Iron Man?'"

Iron Man 2 plot details are being worked out as we type.

On focus as a director: "I focus mostly on story and character. I put a great value on emotion, humor and natural dialogue. The effects are fun to explore in original ways, but without a strong story, they mean nothing."

Will we see War Machine: "We need War Machine. Agreed. Shoulder cannons and all."

The future for Tony Stark: "Stark has issues with booze. That's part of who he is. I don't think we'll ever do the Leaving Las Vegas version, but it will be dealt with."

Vince Vaughn and Jon Favreau - close friends and professional pals since Swingers - will team up for a new new movie called Couples Retreat.

The actors have appeared together briefly in the movie The Break-Up, and will do so again in and the upcoming Four Christmases, but this will mark their first true collaboration (that people will see, we don't count 2001's Made) since Swingers; Couples Retreat is based on an original idea from Vaughn himself.

According to Variety, the movie will follow four couples that go to a tropical island resort. While one pair is there to work on their marriage, the other is there for a good time. Comedy ensues.

In a recent interview with ComingSoon.net, Jon Favreau made it clear that his focus is on both Iron Man 2 and Iron Man 3.

The director spoke with the movie site as part of his publicity tour for the upcoming Iron Man DVD release, set for Sept. 30. Here's what we learned from Favreau:

- Robert Downey, Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow and Terrence Howard are all on board for Iron Man 2. Favreau will also be back on screen, as well as behind the camera, with a (possibly expanded) role as Happy Hogan.

- Mandarin, a classic nemesis of Iron Man in comic book lore, will be the main antagonist in one of the follow-ups. This is an Asian crimelord who sports ten powerful ring weapons (alluded to in the first film through references to the terrorist cell the Ten Rings).

- The most well-known storylines from the comic book series – "Demon in a Bottle," in which Tony Stark becomes an alcoholic, and Jim Rhodes takes over the role and armor of Iron Man during Stark's recovery – are expected to be included, possibly both in the second sequel. Howard's role in the first movie was not as expansive as originally intended; Favreau plans to rectify that.

In a new interview with The Los Angeles Times, Iron Man 2 director Jon Favreau didn't reveal anything too groundbreaking regarding the sequel. But any news on this wildly-anticipated follow-up is worth mentioning.

While there hasn't been an formal announcement on the sequel to Iron Man, Favreau has begun developing it.

"We're working on it now, which hasn't been officially announced. It will be released in 2010," the director told the newspaper.

Marvel Studios and Paramount Pictures are targeting a release date of April 30, 2010. That would ensure that the blockbuster kicked off that summer.

Justin Theroux (Tropic Thunder) is writing the script and in addition to Robert Downey Jr., the first film's co-stars Gwyneth Paltrow and Terrence Howard are expected to return.

According to Deadline Hollywood Daily, director Jon Favreau has officially reached a deal with Marvel Studios to direct Iron Man 2.

It's been assumed all along, but Favreau technically hadn't signed on for the film - which is targeted for an April 30, 2010 release - until now.

Robert Downey Jr. had a sequel clause in his contract, so he's been on board from the beginning. Terrence Howard and Gwyneth Paltrow are likely to return for the Iron Man 2, as well.

In his latest MySpace blog, director Jon Favreau expressed concern about the announced release date of Iron Man 2 (April 10, 2010):

I am concerned about the announced release date of April 2010. Neither Robert nor I were consulted about this and we are both concerned about how realistic the date is in light of the fact that we have no script, story or even writers hired yet.

This genre of movie is best when it is done thoughtfully and with plenty of preparation. It might be better to follow the [Batman Begins/The Dark Knight] three-year release pattern than to scramble for a date.

It is difficult because there are no Marvel 09 releases and they need product, but I also think we owe it to the fans to have a great version of Iron Man 2 and, at this point, we would have less time to make it than the first one.

Makes sense to us. And we'd prefer a quality movie over a rushed one. Let's hope those behind Iron Man 2 keep this in mind.