Marvel borrows Disney dollars to write the big check to Downey

Robert Downey, Jr. publicly wondered aloud if he’d return as Tony Stark after IRON MAN THREE, while Marvel mused just as publicly that they could replace him James Bond-style when the time came.

But even after multiple reports of strained negotiations, I don’t think anyone ever doubted that Marvel would get an advance on their weekly allowance from Disney to keep Downey right where the audience wants him to be.

The press release from Marvel:

“I am Iron Man.”

Tony Stark’s famous closing line to the very first Iron Man film takes on new life today as Marvel is pleased to announce the signing of Robert Downey, Jr. to reprise the role of the “billionaire, genius, playboy, philanthropist.”

Under the two-picture agreement, Downey will star as Tony Stark/Iron Man in MARVEL’S THE AVENGERS 2 and MARVEL’S THE AVENGERS 3. Downey is represented at CAA by Bryan Lourd, Jim Toth and Matt Leaf and by his attorneys Tom Hansen and Stewart Brookman of the firm Hansen Jacobson.

Downey, Jr.’s last two Marvel films, 2012’s MARVEL’S THE AVENGERS and this year’s IRON MAN THREE rank as two of the top five grossing films of all time, collectively earning over $2.7 billion worldwide to date.

MARVEL’S THE AVENGERS 2 is being written and directed by Joss Whedon. Featuring favorites from the first Avengers film and new Marvel characters never before seen on the big screen, MARVEL’S THE AVENGERS 2 is slated to begin production in March 2014 and open in theaters May 1, 2015.

While there’s no word on a fourth Iron Man film starring Downey, there’s liable to be an initial round of Avengers recasting beginning after the third Avengers film anyway. Regardless, it’s nice to know we’ll at least get an Avengers trilogy with Downey in the armor.

And hopefully, for me, at least, more Gwyneth “I’d Pepper her Potts” Paltrow.

(I don’t even know what that means.)

Peace Fund Radio #28

One of the biggest reasons I never have time to write anything here anymore is my involvement with Peace Fund Radio. It’s the best project I’ve ever been a part of.

The show is an extension of The Peace Fund, a charity organization founded by my friend Adrian Paul (known to many science fiction and fantasy fans as the Highlander himself, Duncan MacLeod) to “Protect, Educate, Aid Children Everywhere.” The money we raise goes directly to helping a variety of charities including Mercy & Sharing, which doesn’t just feed, shelter, and heal children in Haiti but also teaches them vocational skills to build new lives for themselves, and the Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA), which can be found right here in my home state of Indiana.

Adrian’s co-host on the show is Ethan Dettenmaier, whose own show, Combat Radio, has long been at the forefront of charity events involving celebrities.

So far I’ve been on every episode but one. I give updates about what The Peace Fund is up to and also produce our Hero of the Week segment, in which we highlight young people who have done something extraordinary for children in their own communities and often around the world. Whenever possible, I arrange for our Heroes to call in and tell their inspiring stories in their own words.

You can listen to us live every Wednesday from 11 AM to Noon right here by clicking the “Channel 2” icon in the column on the right.

Previous shows are archived here, including this week’s show with special guest Mark Ryan, whose numerous stage, screen, stunt, and voice credits can be seen here.

I’ve also gotten to talk to wonderful and talented folks like Luke Goss, Don Stark, Stephen Macht, and Mark Dacascos. The show also featured the long-awaited (by me, at least) reunion of me and the lovely Kelly Hu, whom I interviewed way back in 2003.

And you won’t believe some of the upcoming guests we’ve got coming on!