Iron Works

Last week the film rights to Iron Man were returned to Marvel, according to a report from Variety. For two years New Line attempted to develop the project, but the studio faced numerous difficulties - a deal with “The Notebook” Director Nick Cassavetes fell apart; scripts by Smallville producers Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, and X-Men’s David Hayter didn’t seem to go anywhere; and actor Tom Cruise, who was initially interested in the concept, bailed because he didn’t like the direction the film was headed in.

Now that the option has been returned to the House of Ideas, the plan is to start the development from scratch. So, exactly what direction will Marvel take Iron Man?

I’m hoping the company goes with a more realistic and redemptive sci-fi approach like the one writer Warren Ellis came up with. In the first four issues of the re-launched Iron Man Ellis focuses on the fact that Tony Stark used to be an arms dealer. In order to atone for his past actions, Stark becomes a human testing ground for the Iron Man armor. His goal is to use his resources and technology to elevate the human race instead of building and selling weapons that destroy it. This is the only way he can look at himself in the mirror.

It’s a beautifully simple take on the Iron Man story that actually makes sense and creates an opportunity for some real human drama. The ongoing military conflicts in the Middle East and concerns of terrorism around the world also make the arms dealer angle extremely relevant in today’s tense climate.

Much like this summer’s highly successful Batman Begins, I think the Iron Man film needs to take the time to flesh out Tony Stark’s character and explain why he creates a bioelectric enhancement suit. That has to come first. Kicking the piss out of bad guys with a well-groomed mustache and a pair of repulsor rays has to be second.