We’ve known for a while now that Jon Favreau, director of the first two “Iron Man” films, had passed on the director’s chair for the upcoming third installment, but we’ve finally learned today that he is returning for his role as Harold “Happy” Hogan, Tony’s chauffeur and friend.
The threequel, which began shooting Wednesday under new director Shane Black (“Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang”, “Lethal Weapon” series). It’s unclear how big a role Favreau will have in the third film (while Happy was married mostly happily to Pepper Pots for years in the comics, it seems the films are going the way of pairing Tony and Pepper), but that he was willing to return is a good sign for both Favreau and his character.
“Iron Man 3”, which reunites Black with his “Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang” co-star Robert Downey Jr., will also introduce Guy Pearce as Alrdrich Killian, a character who appeared briefly in the “Extremis” arc, thus fueling speculation that the film will be an adaptation of the popular character redefining story. Ben Kingsley is also joining the cast, in an as yet unspecified role. The film is due to hit theaters Summer 2013.