In an interview with Jon Favreau in the latest issue of Total Film (May 2010) he talks more about Iron Man 2 and it's place in the universe that Marvel are building as well as sharing his thoughts on the rest of the upcoming movies that will lead into 2012's The Avengers. For more from the director, the magazine is on sale now.
On Iron Man 2 and it's effect on the Marvel movie universe:
Honestly, I'm the guy who's running, holding the torch, trying to get this story done. If I don't do a good job with this one it jeopardises all future films in the collective Marvel Universe. Iron Man was the first film to establish the tone of the world. Since Marvel have committed to make the universe, Iron Man 2 does have a ripple effect into the other movies.
On Nick Fury's Iron Man cameo:
When I decided to have Nick Fury after the credits in Iron Man, that easter egg scene turned into a nine-picture deal for Samuel L. Jackson. So these little impulsive decisions that are based on creative whim have ramifications that affect the entire set of franchises.
On building up to The Avengers:
It's a small shop. The only people working on this film have been myself, Kevin Feige and Jeremy Latcham. They'll come by and talk to me about what's happening on the other projects and ask my opinion on things. They're working on The Avengers, Kevin's working on Thor and Captain America, so you're going to get a consistent vision throughout. But then you have to account for the the filmakers and Kenneth definitely has a different sensibility than me.
Thor does begin to marry the worlds and opens the door for The Avengers.
On what we can expect to see in Iron Man 2:
We deal a lot with Nick Fury in this one and S.H.I.E.L.D is much more of a presence...