Exclusive: 'Iron Man 2' DVD/Blu-ray special features focus on the future of the franchise

Image Credit: Francois DuhamelWhen fall rolls around this year, millions of people will stare in wonder at the little blurs of red and gold flying through the sky. I’m not talking about gently falling leaves – I’m talking about the home market release of Iron Man 2. Paramount will release the movie on DVD and Blu-ray on Sept. 28, and they’ve given EW the exclusive first look at the featurettes. If you’re a superhero geek like me (and given Iron Man 2‘s $309 million gross, there’s a good chance you are), this is certainly reason for excitement. So, in an effort to unlock every bit of information I can about the Iron Man universe, I’ve spent a good while perusing the titles of these featurettes (listed below), and I’ve come to a few conclusions:

Most of the time, DVDs look back on the production of a movie: behind-the-scenes clips, pre-production meetings, special effects processes, and unseen footage. Iron Man 2 has all that, as well as some special features like “Previsualization and Animatics” and “Creating Stark Expo.” What makes Iron Man 2 a little bit different, though, is that many of its special features look ahead to the future of the franchise. With segments like “S.H.I.E.L.D. Data Vault,” “Illustrated Origin: Nick Fury, Black Widow, War Machine,” and “Expanding the Universe,” it’s clear that we are supposed to be gearing up for more adventures with Iron Man and his pals, whether that’s in 2012’s The Avengers or Iron Man 3 down the road.

I also studied the HD first-look image that Paramount sent us, hoping to find some Easter eggs that might provide clues about what’s next. Unfortunately, all I could surmise from the photo is that Robert Downey Jr. has a remarkably well-maintained beard, and that the cameras used to shoot Iron Man 2 blend in very well with Tony Stark’s workshop.

What are you excited about, PopWatchers? Check out the full list of special features below. Anything catch your eye? Head to the comments to speak your mind!

DVD/Blu-Ray Combo Pack (3 Discs)

Disc 1 (Blu-Ray)

–Feature film with optional commentary by Jon Favreau

–S.H.I.E.L.D. Data Vault

–Previsualization and Animatics

Disc 2 (Blu-Ray)

Ultimate Iron Man: The Making of Iron Man 2

–Rebuilding the Suit

–A Return to Action

–Expanding the Universe

–Building a Legacy

Featurettes

–Creating Stark Expo

–Practical Meets Digital

–Illustrated Origin: Nick Fury, Black Widow, War Machine

–Working with DJ AM

Deleted Scenes with optional commentary by Jon Favreau

Alternate Opening

Coulson at the Senate, The Sub-Orbital Jet, Tony’s Workshop (extended), Natalie Wears the Gauntlet, Flying Party Girl, Mark II Security, Element Rediscovered (extended)

Concept Art Gallery

Disc 3 (DVD)

–Feature Film & Digital Copy

There will also be a 2-disc DVD pack, as well as a single disc DVD release.