Jon Favreau didn't just kick off a simple franchise when he directed the 2008 hit "Iron Man;" he launched an expansive multimedia event for Marvel Studios (and now, Disney), an arc that spreads across multiple movie franchises -- including "The First Avenger: Captain America," "Hulk" and "Thor" -- and will culminate with the summer 2012 ensemble action flick, "The Avengers."
Now he's vacating the director's chair for "Iron Man 3," clearing the way for some new blood to step in and take the reins for Marvel's planned 2013 release, Deadline reports.
Favreau will remain in the Disney fold for the upcoming family adventure "Magic Kingdom," but he is reportedly looking forward to once again having "the opportunity to do his own thing."
Anyone up for "Swingers 2: Electric Swingin?'"? (Yes, we know he didn't direct "Swingers").
Marvel Studios prez Kevin Feige is also happy with the change in management, seeing it as a chance to have someone take over who can "bring some more fire to the franchise."
Don't start thinking Disney is just going to grab some random Joe Schmo off the street though.
Star Robert Downey Jr. has director approval for the upcoming third movie, and with the commitment he's shown thus far, it's reasonable to expect he'll be pretty choosy in signing off on the right person for the job.
Next up for Favreau is fanfolk favorite "Cowboys & Aliens," a title which pretty much speaks for itself.
The step away from "Iron Man 3" leaves Favreau at a crossroads. Will he get back together with his pal Vince Vaughn for some good, old-fashioned comedy? Continue on this blockbuster road he's been traveling? Or perhaps an Internet fan movement will rise up and convince him to revive the excellent IFC series, "Dinner for Five?" Hell, maybe he'll strike out in an entirely new direction. Kevin Smith is doing a horror flick, why not Favreau?
The "doing his own thing" comment is one of the most intriguing angles on this story; Favreau has been doing studio pictures for long enough that his "own thing" could be radically different from what fans of everything from "Swingers" to "Iron Man" are expecting.