Filming has begun on Iron Man 3, and it appears that the success of The Avengers will have an impact on the production.

Director Shane Black’s budget has been increased from an already sizeable $140m to $200m. Obviously all the important elements such as script should be in place given that shooting is underway, but the additional budget should enable Black to ensure that things such as the effects deliver in terms of spectacle.

Variety reports Ashley Hamilton is joining the cast as another villain: Firepower.

From First Showing:

In the comics, the villain’s origin lies in Jack Taggert, who is also part of an experiment and sent on a mission, aptly named Project: Firepower, where he’s the pilot of an experimental armored suit. But in a turn of events, he uses the suit to fight Iron Man. On the other side of the fence, it’s not clear if Dale will really become Coldblood or if he’s just assuming the character before the transformation in the comics. But taking into account that both Coldblood and Firepower are kind of brought about in the same way, I’m wondering if they team-up to fight Iron Man, or they’re each adversaries that Iron Man takes on individually.

THR has word that Jon Favreau is returning as Stark’s trusted bodyguard Happy Hogan. Even though there’s been tension between Favreau and Marvel before, the reason he didn’t return to direct the threequel, Favreau still produced The Avengers for Marvel Studios. Favreau already tweeted a picture of his chair from the set, so it sounds like he’s already busy filming his scenes for the film.

Local TV debuted some photos from Wilmington as the crew showed up – Here

Source: http://latino-review.com/2012/05/23/exclusive-iron-man-3-expensive-starts-today/

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118054630

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