The plot thickens, as we keenly watch those involved with the Marvel Cinematic Universe at a time when production is supposedly shifting from Avengers: Infinity War to the as-yet-untitled sequel.
We’ve been assured that the former will feature every major character so far introduced into the MCU, and we know that Jon Favreau – who kicked off the whole endeavour by directing 2008’s Iron Man (and its sequel, Iron Man 2) – will be executive producing that movie. But, do recent comments from him during an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live indicate that he’ll also be reprising his onscreen role as Happy Hogan?
Hogan is Tony Stark’s right-hand man and go-to security chief, and he played a major supporting role in each instalment of the Iron Man trilogy. He also appeared in the recent Spider-Man: Homecoming – once again, as a significant supporting player. So now, as we look to Avengers: Infinity War, Favreau seems to have let slip a little something about his involvement.
“I don’t know what I’m at liberty to say, but I will be going to Atlanta… during the filming of Avengers.”
With it being public knowledge that Favreau will executive produce the film, it seems strange that he would consider his presence on set to be a threat to the secrecy surrounding the production – unless he also had an onscreen role. This would reflect those assurances that well-established MCU characters would all show up in Infinity War. But, Favreau talks about it as a future event, crucially without specifying the title Infinity War – so perhaps he’s teasing a Happy Hogan appearance in the Avengers sequel, instead?
It all depends on the status of reshoots. It was recently reported that Captain Marvel co-director Ryan Fleck had perhaps been in the vicinity of an unspecified Avengers shoot, indicating that Carol Danvers might be introduced during Infinity War. It was also noted at Disney’s D23 Expo that some of the Guardians Of The Galaxy cast were busy with additional footage for that movie. In that case, some filming is still underway, and some Happy Hogan scenes might yet fit in.
One way or another, we’ll find out for sure when Avengers: Infinity War is released on May 4th, 2018.
