Considering the half-billion (and then some) Iron Man has already made the studio, it doesn't seem like much of a demand, but as Favreau blogged, his reps had received only one phone call from Marvel Studios up to that point. This sparked plenty of perplexed and aggravated responses from fans 'round the blogosphere. Today, New York Magazine is speculating that vociferous fan outcry may have been what finally pushed the studio into sealing the deal. Yes, that means Favreau is finally, officially on-board for the sequel.

Was all this hubbub just a matter of the usual negotiations, played out in a public arena? Deadline Hollywood Daily thought so, reporting that an "insider" had said that Favreau had, indeed, been offered more money for the deal. Of course, that report came out a couple of days after Favreau enlisted the forces of the 'net, so who knows? It may or may not have been a case of either party (or both) playing hard-to-get. However it all came about, the bottom line is that the right director is at the helm. Fans can now rest easy that there will be no Schumacher-style transition as there was in the Batman franchise.