BUTTERED UP

AFTER an incredible, $201 million worldwide opening weekend for "Iron Man," Paramount president Brad Grey wants to lock up "Iron Man 2" - and isn't above overt shmoozing. Earlier this week, Grey took Marvel Studios chairman David Maisel, Robert Downey Jr., Downey's wife, Susan, and co-star and director Jon Favreau to Mr. Chow in LA. At the dinner, Grey gave a five-minute speech/tribute to Downey and said, "As much as I admire [Downey] for the job he did in the film as an actor, the true Iron Man is [Downey] in his real life. He persevered and righted his life after some rough and trying years." That and a heftier paycheck should seal the deal. (link)