Iron Man 3 angers American musicians

The metal man plays the blues!

Musicians are renowned as being somewhat of a precious bunch, but why the hell are they having a pop at 'Iron Man 3' and Marvel Studios in particular? 

Because according to the American Federation of Musicians (AFM) they are taking actions that are "un-American and unfair.

The AFM have accused the comic book giants of sending film scoring outside of the USA not just for one, but for every movie they've ever produced.

Why do they do this? Well according to the union it's all about cost cutting. By hiring overseas musicians under non-union contracts and including a clause which cites that there'll be no re-use payments (residuals), pension or health benefits, the Marvel moguls save themselves a pretty penny.

And because the union have also claimed that Marvel benefits from US tax credits, AFM international president Ray Hair is not a happy bunny. "Marvel lines its pockets with taxpayer money, taking care of everyone who works on their films -- except musicians," snarled a disgruntled Mr Hair.

To make matters worse, it's also been alleged that all other personnel hired for Marvel productions are American and paid under union contracts.

So incandescent with rage are these song and dance men at the AFM, that many of their number staged a peaceful protest outside Marvel's Manhattan Beach offices in June last year because Marvel had the brassneck to score 'The Avengers' overseas.

They returned to the Marvel base recently to hand out leaflets ahead of the 'Iron Man 3' LA premiere and about 15 union members have already visited a location shoot for 'Captain America 2' to form a picket line and make their feelings known. However, it's not yet known if any of their number were carrying guitars or if any Bob Dylan or Joan Baez songs were sung.

International president of the Recording Musicians Association, Mark Sazer said, "We don't think it's fair that Captain America 2 will be scored in Europe. It should be scored here at home -- just like the acting, directing, writing, truck driving, catering, carpentering and everything else."

The union claims it has initiated repeated talks with Marvel to bring something to the table, but insists that the studio refuses to cover musicians under a union contract.

0

Who knows? Perhaps it's just an open and shut case of Marvel preferring British and European musicians. I mean, given the choice between Beatlemania and Biebermania which country produced the product that's guaranteed to go the distance.

One thing's for sure, Mr Ray Hair remains angry and the music man seethed, "Marvel's actions toward professional musicians are un-American and unfair, and we want the world to know it."

The question is, will the world want to listen?