Five Likely Events In The Iron Man Sequel

With Iron Man’s $102 million dollar opening weekend - as much as 40% higher than some industry expectations - a sequel seems like a foregone conclusion. In fact, reports indicate that bigwigs at Paramount Pictures and Viacom are already tentatively scheduling its debut for the end of April, 2010 - just two years away.

We loved the current film, and since we think it’s never too early to speculate on what a sequel might entail, here are our five best guesses and hopes for Iron Man 2. As a caveat, some spoilers of the current movie are probably unavoidable.

1. Tony Stark’s descent into alcoholism

A pivotal storyline in the Marvel comic books and a minor turning point for the medium itself, Stark’s battle with alcoholism affected his own book as well as his role in Marvel’s group title The Avengers for years to come. The Iron Man sequel might show Stark battling addiction while attempting to keep up the pace of his armored identity and running his company single-handedly. And heaven knows Robert Downey, Jr. is just the actor to play that part well.

2. The debut of James Rhodes as War Machine

With Stark left homeless and destitute after losing control of his drinking, the role of Iron Man fell to his personal pilot James Rhodes. After a time in the Iron Man armor itself, Rhodes eventually begins his own career using a more heavily armed version of the basic armor: the Variable Threat Response Battle Suit, or War Machine.

The current movie essentially advertises Rhodes (Terrence Howard) armoring up at a later date, so expect the two Iron Men to work together against a common enemy while continuing their bromantic friendship.

3. Armor for every occasion

Most of what forms the backbone of Iron Man’s mythos (including the events listed above) was created during creators David Michelinie’s and Boby Layton’s long tenure on the comic. Another of their innovations included Stark building a range of Iron Man armors suitable for any occasion. Some of the most famous include the Silver Centurion armor (pictured at right) an all-black stealth suit, and even a heavily padded model built for use against the Hulk.

Target and Wal-Mart already offer Silver Centurion and War Machine variant figures as in-store exclusives. Adding more kinds of armor means more merchandising possibilities - music to any studio chief’s ears.

4. More S.H.I.E.L.D. - and more Nick Fury

The noble super-spies of S.H.I.E.L.D. are the hidden movers in the Marvel Universe, and Iron Man’s association and collaboration with them is long and complicated. He’s even the agency’s director in current storylines. The extra scene at the end of Iron Man all but insures a larger presence in the sequel, including more of Samuel L. Jackson as S.H.I.E.L.D. honcho Nick Fury. Story elements might also springboard the film version of a hero with even closer agency ties - Captain America.

5. The debut of Iron Man’s arch nemesis, The Mandarin

The seeds of this Chinese warlord and criminal mastermind’s appearance are subtly set up in the current film. In comics’ continuity, the Mandarin uses ten rings that each bestow a different super power. In the movie, the Ten Rings are the terrorist group that kidnaps Stark; their leader Raza is shown twisting a ring around one finger while watching Stark via closed-circuit television.

Ken Watanabe was such a convincing stalking horse Ras Al Ghul in Batman Begins that we’ll nominate him to play the true villain of Iron Man 2. With Obadiah Stane (Jeff Bridges) presumably dead - if in fact he’s gone. The Dude abides, after all - the sequel is a perfect time to introduce a greater threat to Stark Enterprises and S.H.I.E.L.D. alike, one that’s international in scope and a match for Stark’s intelligence and drive.