Two things: Someone must be a pretty happy camper right now. And Paramount/Marvel must really like “Tropic Thunder.”
And considering he’s only got one real screenwriting credit to his name – the aforementioned ‘Thunder’ co-penned with Ben Stiller – actor/director Justin Theroux must be feeling like a very lucky bastard right now as he’s been tapped to write “Iron Man 2.” Wait, how’s that? He’s got one screen writing credit to his name for a summer comedy that’s untested and hasn’t come out yet and now he’s writing the sequel to the year’s second biggest film money-wise? Like we said, someone must have really liked the ‘Thunder.’ Presumably though Theroux must have a bunch of uncredited scriptdoctoring jobs under his belt. Either that or he fucking wowed someone with a pitch.
Deadline Hollywood said “Iron Man” director Jon Favreau was basically back onboard and Variety echoes that by saying the filmmaker and Robert Downey Jr. are close to deals to bring them back to the project again (sweetener deals likely, they both want to be apart of it and RJD is likely contractually obligated).
Theroux is primarily known as an actor having starred in David Lynch’s “Muholland Drive,” played a psychopath in “Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle” and an ineffectual boyfriend in HBO’s “Six Feet Under.” But he did make his directorial debut last year with the respectable indie drama, “Dedication,” starring Mandy Moore and Billy Crudup (note: not even Variety mentions any tweaking-for-hire screenwriting gigs).
“Iron Man 2” is still aiming for an April 2010 release, so 100% lock up of cast and crew should arrive shortly. Either way, Theroux was probably popping champagne bottles and celebrating with friends just a few short days ago.