'Iron Man 2' Has Writer

Director, Star to Follow

Justin Theroux will sign to write the sequel to Marvel’s Iron Man movie, currently at $566 million worldwide (see “Iron Man Proves Its Mettle”).  Theroux has only one writing credit:  Tropic Thunder, a Ben Stiller, Robert Downey Jr., Jack Black comedy due out next month.  Perhaps the Downey connection is serving him well; Downey is expected to sign for the sequel(s) soon, along with director Jon Favreau.

Theroux is known primarily as an actor (Six Feet Under, John Adams).  He has one directing credit (Dedication). 

The writers for the original Iron Man film have all moved on to other genre fare.  Mark Fergus and Hawk Ostby are working on Cowboys & Aliens (see “Iron Man Scribes Tackle Cowboys & Aliens”), where Downey is linked (see “Iron Man Finds a New Home on the Range”); and Art Marcum and Matt Holloway are working on Highlander (see “Iron Man Scribes Attempt to Revive Highlander”).