Sam Rockwell has recounted his determination to secure the role of Justin Hammer, the villain in Marvel’s ‘Iron Man 2’, revealing the lengths he went to in order to align himself with the 2010 superhero sequel. The actor’s desire to play the character, a rival weapons manufacturer to Tony Stark, portrayed by Robert Downey Jr., was ignited when he learned that his friend Justin Theroux was penning the script for the film.
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In an interview with Esquire on August 14, Rockwell, 57, shared the backstory of his casting. He recalled a casual visit to Theroux’s apartment for coffee where he discovered Theroux was preparing for his journey to Los Angeles to write ‘Iron Man 2’. “Get the f— out of here. I want to be in that,” Rockwell exclaimed, fervently expressing his desire to play the antagonist, stating, “I want to be the bad guy.”
Though Theroux has gained recognition primarily for his acting roles in films such as ‘Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion’ and TV series like ‘Six Feet Under’, he also co-wrote the critically acclaimed 2008 film ‘Tropic Thunder’. It was Downey who had suggested Theroux for the project, paving the way for Rockwell’s ambitions.
Months later, while working on ‘G-Force’, a family film featuring a covert team of guinea pigs, Rockwell found another opportunity to promote himself for the role. During the project, he collaborated with Jon Favreau, the director of the original ‘Iron Man’ film, who was set to reprise his role for the sequel. “I said, ‘Oh, is it Iron Man?’” Rockwell recalled, as he and Favreau spent time in a sound studio honing their performances.
Favreau indicated that the film was contemplating splitting the villainous role between two characters – Hammer and Ivan Vanko (also known as Whiplash), portrayed by Mickey Rourke. Rockwell elaborated on Theroux’s efforts, noting that he crafted several compelling speeches for Hammer, which included a memorable monologue during a weapons demonstration. “I got to know the guns, and they showed me how to use them,” Rockwell said, although he faced unexpected changes to the props on the day of filming, requiring last-minute adjustments to his lines.
The ambitious approach to filming allowed Rockwell to showcase his adaptability. “They had to rewrite the speech for the new artillery,” he recalled, explaining that he had to wear an earpiece in order to receive his lines during shooting. Rockwell praised the crew for their patience as they navigated these challenges.
Ultimately, Hammer’s journey in ‘Iron Man 2’ concluded with his arrest for aiding Vanko’s escape from prison, and the character has yet to resurface in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). When asked if he anticipated returning to the franchise, Rockwell expressed optimism, stating, “I’m waiting. I’m waiting for the call, and I haven’t gotten a call yet, so.”
‘Iron Man 2’, which featured notable performances from Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, and Scarlett Johansson—who made her debut as Black Widow—was a commercial success, grossing over £623 million worldwide. The film received an Academy Award nomination for Best Visual Effects.
Sam Rockwell, who received an Oscar for his performance in the 2017 film ‘Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri’, is set to star in ‘Wild Horse Nine’ this autumn. The film places him alongside John Malkovich as CIA operatives dispatched to Easter Island in Chile.
Alongside Rockwell’s career trajectory, Theroux continues to build his writing and acting portfolio, with recent credits that include ‘Rock of Ages’ and ‘Zoolander 2’. He is expected to star in the upcoming Apple TV miniseries ‘Wild Things’, focusing on the lives of famous magicians Siegfried & Roy, as well as the thriller ‘Billion Dollar Spy’.
As both actors forge ahead with their respective careers, Rockwell’s heartfelt memories of securing a role in the MCU remain a testament to his commitment and enthusiasm for his craft.