The latest installment in Marvel’s Iron Man franchise hits UK cinemas on 25 April.

Iron Man 3 follows metal-clad superhero Tony Stark grappling with insomnia and anxiety following the events of last summer’s Avengers Assemble, and sees him going up against fanatical terrorist the Mandarin. The film features supporting turns from Rebecca Hall as gifted scientist Maya Hansen, Guy Pearce as nerd-turned-businessman Aldrich Killian, and Sir Ben Kingsley as the nefarious Mandarin, alongside cast regulars Gwyneth Paltrow as Pepper Potts, Don Cheadle as James Rhodes and – of course – the man himself, Robert Downey Jr as Tony Stark.

In anticipation of the big day we went along to a press conference at London’s Dorchester Hotel earlier this week. In attendance were Downey Jr, Hall, Paltrow, Cheadle and Kingsley, alongside writer/director Shane Black (the man behind the Lethal Weapon films) and co-writer Drew Pearce.

Here are a few things we learned, just to whet your appetite…

The Iron Man films are not a trilogy

You might have been thrown by the title, but as Shane Black explained, Iron Man 3 is not really a “threequel” in the traditional sense. Taking place after the events of Avengers Assemble (referred to in the script, but not directly linked to the events of this film) Black and co-writer Drew Pearce thought of Iron Man 3 as a separate entity. “There was Iron Man and Iron Man 2, then there was Avengers,” said Black. “Then there’s this one.”

Drew Pearce is a Brit!

That would explain Iron Man 3’s well-timed reference to Croydon.

Robert Downey Jr has a specific vision for the next film…

At one point, RDJ quipped that the next installment in the blockbuster franchise would star only him and Rebecca Hall (who, in his own words, “classed up the joint” on Iron Man 3). Working title? Iron Man 4: Parade’s End. Please, someone make this happen.

Don Cheadle is in better shape than RDJ

When quizzed by Men’s Fitness about his exercise regime for the film, Robert Downey Jr reluctantly had to admit that his costar Cheadle was in better shape – but that he wasn’t going to let it stay that way for long. Nothing like a bit of healthy competition to get you back in the gym, right guys?

Jon Favreau helped Black and Pearce with the concept

Black revealed that a lot of the inspiration for the film came from talks with Jon Favreau, director of Iron Man and Iron Man 2 (he also appears in the films as Tony Stark’s bodyguard Happy Hogan). According to Black, Favreau generously helped him figure out what story was left to tell for the superhero, resulting in the “back to basics” storyline that steers Iron Man 3.

Robert Downey Jr looks great in baby blue

Seriously, who else could pull off a baby blue blazer, matching tie and blue tinted sunglasses? Tony Stark might have the iron suit, but he doesn’t have this much style.

Jon Favreau is into Downton Abbey

As we learn in Iron Man 3, Favreau’s character Happy has a bit of a penchant for the Crawleys. But, according to RDJ, this extends to real life as well, with the idea for Happy’s obsession coming from Favreau himself.

Gwyneth Paltrow doesn’t read comics

When asked about the similarities between the onscreen and comic book versions of her character Pepper Potts, Paltrow admitted she wasn’t much of a comic book fan, going so far as to confess she had never even heard of the Iron Man character before she was contacted by Favreau about the first film. We can’t say we’re entirely surprised.

Flattery will get you everywhere with Robert Downey Jr

Turns out Downey Jr responds to compliments from his fans by telling them he adores them and asking them to dinner, followed by aperitifs in his hotel room. Something to bear in mind, RDJ fans.

The story’s what matters

According to Black, when it comes to making a film in this day and age, the technical side of things is perfect. Most often, it’s the story that needs work. In Black’s view, the action sequences – what he refers to as “the spectacle” – are just part of telling that story and to him, it’s the story, the characters and – perhaps most importantly – the funny bits that should get priority. We couldn’t agree more, Shane.

Are you looking forward to Iron Man 3? Let us know below…

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