Sam Rockwell Describes New Look For His ‘Iron Man 2’ Character, Hints At ‘A Lot Of Improv’

Sam Rockwell Describes New Look For His ‘Iron Man 2’ Character, Hints At ‘A Lot Of Improv’

Sam Rockwell was in town last week for the Tribeca Film Festival and answered some of MTV's questions about his role in Iron Man 2...

By JoshWilding - May 05, 2009 10:05 AM EST
Filed Under: Iron Man 2
Source: Josh Wilding

Originally announced way back in January, Rockwell will be playing the role of Justin Hammer, a rival industrialist attempting to bring down Robert Downey Jr.’s “Iron Man,” Tony Stark. While the actor hasn’t been able to share many details about the much-anticipated sequel thus far, we did get an answer to one of the questions on many comic book fans’ minds: Will his character in the film be made to look like the white-haired, geriatric Justin Hammer of the comics?

“They wanted to go with a rival for Tony Stark who is closer to his age, and make him American,” Rockwell told MTV News of the new look for the Marvel villain.

However, just to make sure we were on the same page, we picked up a copy of “Iron Man” #240 before the interview to offer Rockwell a comparative look at the Justin Hammer known to comics fans.

“That looks like Jeremy Irons,” joked Rockwell of the Hammer character in the comic. “I guess they couldn’t get Jeremy Irons for it.”



Although Rockwell said his character wouldn’t be fighting or flying in the sequel (”My character is the brains, not the brawn,” he said), he did reveal that production has featured no small amount of spontaneity among the cast members.

“There’s a lot of improv,” said Rockwell of the ongoing “Iron Man 2″ filming.

What do you think of the decision to change Justin Hammer’s look for the film? Is Rockwell right for the role?
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TucsonRican
TucsonRican - 5/5/2009, 10:32 AM
Does the "look" of Hammer bring any necessary subtext to the character?

If it doesn't, then what's the problem?
divo
divo - 5/5/2009, 12:19 PM
Yeah whats up with the whole whiplash/crimson dynamo thing. I dont mind this change justin hammer though, I think its pretty neat.
Betty
Betty - 5/5/2009, 2:02 PM
Im tired of jeremy irons so im glad. I hope they dont mean improv like wolvie script improv.
SupahPhreak
SupahPhreak - 5/5/2009, 2:08 PM
Yeah I totally don't mind at all =[. It's not like Justin Hammer is a huge villain anyway is he? If you made Mandarin a 20 year old white chick then that'd be a little retarded.
GUNSMITH
GUNSMITH - 5/5/2009, 4:04 PM
I THINK ITS AN ACCEPTABLE "NEW", BESIDES, FAVREAU I THINK HAS GOT HIS HEAD IN THE GAME..ITS NICE TO KNOW TONY IS GETTING DANGER FROM ALL POINTS...
adamant877
adamant877 - 5/5/2009, 4:55 PM
I, for one, am glad that Rockwell's on board. This guy is an A list talent, and I won't even get started on his resume'. GODDAMN!
SdProphet
SdProphet - 5/5/2009, 5:57 PM
Well I'm not 100% sure on this but isn't stark supposed to be middle aged? Don't quote me on that lol just a thought. But I don't mind younger is cool with me
ManThing
ManThing - 5/5/2009, 6:45 PM
Yeah I agree. Hammer's age isn't important at all. As long as he's wealthy, smart and a royal prick, then that's really all you need for that one.
OptimusPrimeTime
OptimusPrimeTime - 5/5/2009, 7:47 PM
@ SdProphet...you 100% correct...and I think because of the choice they made to have RDJ to be Iron Man, and the badass Iron man he was....I think Rockwell is an excellent choice for his character...if they would have went with someone more comic age appropriate, it would have seem mismatched...like RDJ/Iron Man was Junior to him, or the "young gun"....like maybe RDJ's dad was the first rival to meet Hammer



Good choice Marvel....in the hands of Favreau, this movie can do no wrong
2leftarms
2leftarms - 5/5/2009, 8:20 PM
I'd rather see Rockwell as the flash or maybe even madman.
JamesH
JamesH - 5/5/2009, 8:41 PM
Rockwell is a damn fine actor and glad to see him on board!
TheMyth
TheMyth - 5/5/2009, 8:44 PM
I agree with Juggernaut, and with no reiterations this time! Now, how old do some of you think Rockwell is I remember his first onscreen role, it was as a Foot Soldier in the first live action TMNT.
Metalhead82
Metalhead82 - 5/5/2009, 9:48 PM
Cool!
vonstallin
vonstallin - 5/5/2009, 11:25 PM
Cool!
Juicerules
Juicerules - 5/5/2009, 11:53 PM
I like Rockwell for the role. He is a good actor. Without looking up Rockwell's age I would guess 35-40
shibazz
shibazz - 5/6/2009, 1:01 AM
whip lash with a ruskie falir ? i like! and hell yeah he betsta have some gall-darned armor if him is gonna wanna messa round with Ol' IronSides! Rockwell is niggety-nice son!
cartoonpersona
cartoonpersona - 5/6/2009, 2:12 AM
loving the mention of improv
YohonKalic
YohonKalic - 5/6/2009, 3:12 AM
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Thats pretty cool he said Jeremy Irons, I really wanted him as this character, but I think Rockwell is a fine actor and will do a good job. I cant wait for more on this movie. I hope they do more then just Nick Fury at the end, I want it to tie in more with Avengers movie. I would love to see ultron as the main bad guy in Avengers.

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thwip284
thwip284 - 5/6/2009, 6:14 AM
Fav's doin it right. He's making sure we get a taste of other villains before the big showdown with the Mandarin. I love what he's doin.
Betty
Betty - 5/6/2009, 11:58 AM
@2leftarms

I always wanted Johnny Depp as Madman but he's gettn up there. I couldnt really see Rockwell as Madman but it might work. Did you happen to see G-men from hell?
2leftarms
2leftarms - 5/6/2009, 1:01 PM
I always thought Depp would be too serious for madman, but he's talented enough to pull off anything. Allred always talked about getting Elijiah Wood, but I think he's too young. And i actually hadd no clue that G-Men was made into a movie. Is it worth checking out?
Betty
Betty - 5/6/2009, 9:15 PM
Johnny Depp Too serious? He's cooky nut! Not so sure about elijah but he's growing on me. Especially after sin city and everything is illuminated. I havent see G-men. I heard it was weird but that can be good. I was hoping you had seen it. I dont run into many madman fans. Madman is the only tattoo i have.
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