Via his Twitter Page, Jon Favreau confrimed the rumors that he will not be directing IRON MAN 3.
“It’s true, I’m directing MAGIC KINGDOM, not IRON MAN 3. I’ve had a great run with Marvel and wish them the best.”
It’s not known exactly why Jon Favreau left the project, though there were some signs that he was less than thrilled with Marvel Studios pland for the film. Earlier this week he was quoted at MTV.com as saying:
“In theory, IRON MAN 3 is going to be a sequel or continuation of THOR, HULL, CAPTAIN AMERICA and AVENGERS. That whole world … I have no idea what it is. I don’t think they do either, from conversations I’ve had with those guys.”
NY Magazine’s Vulture, which broke the story, speculated it could also be about salary. It suggests that Marvel/Disney didn’t want to pay the $12-15 Million director’s fee (plus percentage points) Favreau would likely demand, after providing two big hits for Marvel.
Of course, Hollywood being a business, Jon Favreau’s next project, MAGIC KINGDOM, is a family adventure film for Walt Disney Pictures (who now own Marvel), which apparently will feature the Disney Studio’s characters and theme park.
Maybe Favreau simply wants to do something different, rather than another go-round with comic book superheroes. He’s been there, done that, and probably has the tee-shirt as well.