Hey folks, Harry here... You have been seeing around the web A LOT of speculation about Joss Whedon coming on board IRON MAN to rewrite the project... This is not true.
From what I have heard, Tim McCanlies turned in his second draft of IRON MAN about 5 weeks ago to New Line. This draft was written from notes that the studio and Avi Arad had given the project. Thus no more Nick Fury... Focusing more on Tony Stark/IRON MAN, Justin Hammer and Rhodey Rhodes. Bringing the Red and Gold armor into the story faster, toning down the Clancy/Fugitive elements and beef up the 'James Bond' nature of the project, and making it more of an action adventure.
The results have apparently been very very well received at NEW LINE and they are apparently beginning to explore the ideas of attaching directors. From what I hear, Joss Whedon was brought in, not as a screenwriter, but as a director and asked about which of the New Line projects he would be interested in Directing, and he pointed at IRON MAN... He is not yet attached. Interest has been coming in from Ron Howard's people I have heard as well as from Cruise/Wagner (aka Tom Cruise).
I've been working on getting my hands on the script, as I've only read the first draft thus far, but really want to see how McCanlies incorporated the changes into this script. However, since pretty much all of Hollywood heads to the Hamptons and Reno in the month of August... Everything had been running at full slug speed ahead, then Tuesday... I'm counting on you people though! The first draft had some great IRON MAN action and really cool stuff with the old grey bulky suit as well as the traditional red and gold and a new super suit...
So, if ya have the script... AHEM... click the contact button and do what comes natural.... and, um... Thank You. :)
Also, if you read the entire interview with Joss Whedon at the Onion AV Club, you'll get the impression that Whedon is sick and tired of being a Screenwriter for hire... That he wants Hollywood for one major thing, and that's to be a director. Right now he's writing 4 Buffy Tv things, a comic book and you probably can imagine what else... He's directing episodes and being the producer/warlord... and wouldn't be able to go into production on a film till Buffy shows' hiatus in the spring....
And that's the real status report on the Project as of now, though I am continuing to try and learn more...
