"Iron Man 2" Pumps It Up
By CBS News' Karina Mitchell
With May, the traditional start to the summer blockbuster season, just a day away anticipation is already at fever-pitch over the first big release. "Iron Man 2" has already had its worldwide premiere and opens in the U.S. next week.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the movie is already a hit in Europe with with No. 1 openings Wednesday in six markets for a total $2.2 million from 960 venues.
With the spectacular success of its predecessor, expectations are sky-high for this Marvel superhero sequel. The story picks up right where the last one left off - just after wealthy inventor Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) reveals, in a storyline atypical of the normal comic-book-superhero film genre, that he is "Iron Man."
Photos: Summer Cinema 2010
Photos: "Iron Man 2" Primere
Photos: "Iron Man" in Gotham
In the sequel, he finds himself dealing with the repercussions of this revelation, together with all the other techno-charged roadblocks that get thrown his way. Watch this week's "The Showbuzz" to hear what he reveals about what audiences can expect from the suave Stark.
Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow) sees her profile heightened at Stark Industries, opening the door for a new and voluptuous assistant to act as eye candy. Enter Natalie Rushman (Scarlett Johansson).
Don Cheadle returns to play Stark's military sidekick, Rhodey, and there is the brilliant (in my opinion) addition of Mickey Rourke to the cast as Ivan "Whiplash" Vanko, Stark's nemesis out for revenge.
Expect the same high action, drama and super-gadgets as the first time, as Stark tries to prevent the government from using his powersuit for its own purposes. Meanwhile, Justin Hammer (Sam Rockwell) attempts to create a rival suit that will oust "Iron Man."
In short, fasten your seatbelts, folks, because "Iron Man 2" promises to be a wild ride. The action starts in the U.S. May 7.
Other Flicks to Hit Theaters:
Opening this week is "A Nightmare on Elm Street."
Just when you thought it was safe to go back to sleep again, the nightmares return in this 1984 remake of the Wes Craven original. Slasher Freddy Kruger (Jackie Earle Hayley) plays a gloved knifer, stalking people until he is able to slay them while they slumber. If horror flicks are your thing, this Samuel Bayer-directed reimagining may be worth checking out.
And still going strong in its second week of release is "The Back Up Plan." CBS Films' second foray into feature-length films sees the return of Jennifer Lopez to the big screen as a woman weary of waiting for Mr. Right, but desperate to become a mom in this humorous look at love and pregnancy.
Finally, hitting theaters Friday is "Please Give." A New York Mom (Rebecca Hall) has a dilemma: How does she prevent her teenage daughter from wanting the expensive things in life - the things she herself can't quite resist. And just how much should she jack up the prices on items she gets on the cheap in her high-end Manhattan furniture store? Immerse yourself in the high-class problem of living well, but keeping a conscience.
And that's the buzz for now. Look out for more from "The Showbuzz" next week.