Jon Favreau really, really wanted to be in the movie this time. [Exhibit A]:
The “Iron Man” director has a couple more scenes in the sequel than he did in the original.
In fact, the role of assistant/driver/bodyguard to Tony Stark is probably the 4th biggest in the film, which is saying something, considering there are at least 4 antagonists this time around. In the first movie, there are a couple other stern-faced gentlemen in suits hanging around.
But apparently this guy is the ONLY one who works for Tony now (I mean, see previous paragraph—from what I can tell he has three job titles).
Easily explained by budget cut needs. Why pay all those extras when instead you can afford to have a totally justified scene in which Jon Favreau drives onto a racetrack against traffic in a car not intended for racing while a race is in progress?
His presence is also great for innovative comedy. Like when he beats up one bad guy in the same time that Scar Jo takes out an entire army of goons with a stylish gymnastic routine and a lot of dramatic posing without breaking a sweat—AND manages to get her hair re-curled mid-flip. What an original punch line.
It’s nice to see that director egos don’t always get interrupt a movie’s pacing or create logical fallacies.
