Mandarin Confirmed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[WildCard]

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[WildCard]

Iron Man Villain Confirmed!!
Source: Blake Wright July 22, 2006

Iron Man director Jon Favreau just confirmed at the San Diego Comic-Con on Saturday that the villain in the movie will be fan-favorite Manderin! Stay tuned for more...

http://superherohype.com/news/ironmannews.php?id=4551

[Ironfan72]

Man where did that come from, Jon said he wouldn't use Mandarin and use a Technological villian. cool.

[Darthphere]

Is it purposefully misspelled?

[WildCard]

Thats what i thought

I bet he said that to throw people off

[WildCard]

fixed title

[Darthphere]

Either way, pretty awesome, but I expect him to be radically changed.

[Hunter Rider]

Man where did that come from, Jon said he wouldn't use Mandarin and use a Technological villian. cool.

Thats what i thought:confused: oh well beat me to it Wildcard:mad: http://www.superherohype.com/forums/images/icons/icon12.gifthis is cool news,can;t wait to see how they adapt him

[Darthphere]

Also, realize that his captivity is in Afghanistan and NOT Southeast Asia.

[ayenlou]

It'll probably be different approach to Mandarin since Favreau is going for a realistic approach to this movie

[Darthphere]

http://www.newsarama.com/SDCC06/Marvel/films.html


Iron Man parts:

Kit then introduced Favreau, who was met with sustained applause from the audience.

"Ant-Man was taken," Favreau joked, when asked how he became involved with Iron Man.

Favreau said that he'd been talking to Arad since he played Foggy Nelson in Daredevil, noting that Nelson occasionally represented Tony Stark...

"Not saying anything there...I mean, that's if I don't play Iron Man," the director joked.

Favreau said that he was advised by fans and comics’ pros to get artist Adi Granov involved in the movie, and he took the advice. The director called Granov to come up to the dais, and then showed a teaser image the artist had designed as a teaser movie poster.

Granov is doing design work for the film, and the image shown, Favreau said, is not the final armor design.

Speaking of his design work, Granov said that he chose first-off to make sure that the armor had a circular light on the chest, since the triangle never worked for him. Granov also praised Favreau for turning to comic book fans in making the film, something that's rarely seen.

"There's sort of a Robocop-type quality that this character can have," Favreau said in talking about which elements he likes in the armor, noting that he likes the ideas of weight and power, and an inorganic look over organic, rather than martial arts. The director reiterated that while he will be using special effects for the film, he wants to keep the feeling realistic, and not let the effects pull the movie away from the audience.

"There's one tech-based suit," Favreau said, explaining that Iron Man himself will be the major effect, rather than a world of special effects. The director said that the feel will be Tom Clancy, "But because it involves Tony Stark, there will be some James Bond in there."

Favreau said that he's looking at the anime Appleseed, Ghost in the Shell, and Neon Genesis Evangellion for inspirations, but still trying to ground the film in the real world and real technology, "So the only buy you have to make is a guy in an Iron Man suit."

Asked if his Tony Stark will deal with his alcoholism, Favreau said that he's looking at Iron Man as a group of films, so he'll have time to explore how his weapons manufacturing and captivity (now in Afghanistan rather than Southeast Asia), and in looking at a the history of Tony Stark and Iron Man, as the stressors grew up around him in the comics, the alcoholism came in, and a similar path may be followed in the film. Favreau said that he'll be starting with the gray armor in the film, before moving on to a few different types of armor, and will end with the gold and red, evolving more into a weapons platform than a flying suit.

Will Tony Stark have a moustache or goatee? "If we cast Tom Selleck, a moustache, if we cast me, a goatee,” Favreau said.

Asked if Marvel Studios will be returning to a Daredevil film, Avi Arad said that in time, they plan to get to it.

And just as the panel was closing, Favreau said that the villain in the Iron Man film will be the Mandarin.

[Cinemaman]

I am not so positive about this choice.

Anyway, I hope in the movie he won't be called Mandarin, what sounds campy.

[Darthphere]

So does Iron Man and Pepper Potts.

[Ironfan72]

http://www.newsarama.com/SDCC06/Marvel/films.html


Iron Man parts:
Thanks darthphere, any one get a pic of the poster?

[Darthphere]

I dont think they revealed one. Ill go check.

[Hunter Rider]

I think Mandarin will be a terrorist and won't be green or have mystic rings

[Darthphere]

I think Mandarin will be a terrorist and won't be green or have mystic rings


Probably, since thats pretty much where i see them going with it with Afghanistan and such.

[Cinemaman]

I think Mandarin will be a terrorist and won't be green or have mystic rings

I hope so too :)

[Mr. Thing]

I think he will have the rings, maybe just not ones that are magical.

[Ironman24]

MANDARIN!!!!, Holy crap, man Jon lead us good, saying he didn't think he could do a good Mandarin. I'm looking forward to seeing how he handles him.

[Leto]

Maybe it'll be a little bit like the buttons the Green Goblin had on his suit in Spider-Man. Mandarin will have a set of bracers or gauntlets that when pushed will trigger some affect.

[Hunter Rider]

Probably, since thats pretty much where i see them going with it with Afghanistan and such.

Yep not to mention that talk of a Tom Clancy influence,would it boother you ? to me it could be a cool update IF they give him personality and don't make him a generic arab terrorist

[Darthphere]

Yep not to mention that talk of a Tom Clancy influence,would it boother you ? to me it could be a cool update IF they give him personality and don't make him a generic arab terrorist


Not really. I knew they wouldnt be able to adapt a lot of the villains directly from the comics, and its more of a welcome change.

[Ceb-Man]

Mandarin is a good choice. I trust Marvel and Faverau's decision on this one.
I like that the other things like the alcholism, etc will be done later. Let the character get introduced first and then lead up to these other areas in sequels.

[Lord Blackbolt]

Soooo...the real question now. Who should get cast?

[Ironman24]

Well, if you remember, When Tony Stark was captured in Vietnam it came out later that the Warlord Wong Chu was working for Mandarin, at the time Mandarin lead the Hand and secret group of ninja assasins, who battled Iron Man and Wolverine.

[Hunter Rider]

Not really. I knew they wouldnt be able to adapt a lot of the villains directly from the comics, and its more of a welcome change.

I agree,im thinking he will be involved in Tony's origin as the terrorist that captures him and makes him design the suit

[Darthphere]

I agree,im thinking he will be involved in Tony's origin as the terrorist that captures him and makes him design the suit


Sounds good to me, he could be some defacto Chinese red Army or something thats working with the Taliban or something.

[Darthphere]

I wanna see this sexy beast.

http://www.marveldirectory.com/pics/picsm/mandarin.gif

[Hunter Rider]

Sounds good to me, he could be some defacto Chinese red Army or something thats working with the Taliban or something.

That would work,they just need to make him very individual and not a stereotype and i think the possibilites of using The Mandarin to good effect are very strong,wonder if he'll have a henchman like Whiplash or Blizzard like in the toon

[Hunter Rider]

I wanna see this sexy beast.

http://www.marveldirectory.com/pics/picsm/mandarin.gif

in the softcore porn remake:( :up:

[Ironman24]

He could use Spymaster or Ghost.

[Spider-Fan]

HELL YES!!! This is great news. I never thought Mandarin would be in this picture. Nice choice of villain. I am really liking where this production is going.

[Hunter Rider]

He could use Spymaster or Ghost.

That would be cool;i like Ghost in particular:up:

[FVD]

Well to be honest I kinda thought Mandarin would have been first choice as I seem to remember him more than the others. Now we just need an actor to play Stark and all will be sweet.

Moustache or goatee? Hmm I'm hoping for just the mo if you ask me.

[Darthphere]

Goatee works better IMO.

[kedrell]

I like the goatee better. It's a more updated look.

[Hunter Rider]

Goatee all the way,lets avoid German porno comparisons:up:

[kedrell]

Soooo...the real question now. Who should get cast?

As the Mandarin? Ken Watanabe perhaps.

[Darthphere]

As the Mandarin? Ken Watanabe perhaps.


That would bring forward too many Ras comparisons.

[Hunter Rider]

Oded Fehr (sp)

[kedrell]

That would bring forward too many Ras comparisons.

I agree, it's just the first thought that popped into my head.

[Darthphere]

In a perfect world Chow Yun Fat.

[kedrell]

That would be good. Mandy's probably not going to live past the first film so the actor's age in relation to sequels isn't as big a concern as it would be for Tony Stark & Jim Rhodes.

[Hunter Rider]

In a perfect world Chow Yun Fat.
Oh yes,THAT would rock:up:

[Darthphere]

And if they go with an unknown as Favs has said he will, you need a big name as the villain.

[Hunter Rider]

And if they go with an unknown as Favs has said he will, you need a big name as the villain.

Not sure Chow would count as a big name but that could change next year after POTC3 and he would work opposite Gylenhall IMO

[ShadowBoxing]

Exxxcccceeellllent

[Darthphere]

Not sure Chow would count as a big name but that could change next year after POTC3 and he would work opposite Gylenhall IMO


Yeah, im not saying CHow is a big name, but he may be big enough.

[antariksh]

I don't want to sound mean or anyhting BUT kids won't flock to theatres if mandarin is the villain of the movie. He doesn't sound cool and doesn't look cool.

i was hoping we willl get a villain that could fight toe to toe with Iron man while flying in the sky :(

I think this IRON MAN movie will be very basic no flying nothing :(

[zer00]

This was totally ****ing unexpected. But a great surprise. Villians like Crimson Dynamo etc should be saved for sequels anyway. Nice of Fav to lead us off the trail.

[Kevin Roegele]

Mandarin.....magic rings.....racist character when originally conceived.....odd choice indeed.

[Retroman]

Nice to have the villain confirmed:up:

Wheres the teaser poster that they were going to unveil at Comic Con???!?!??!:confused: :confused:

[Hunter Rider]

This was totally ****ing unexpected. But a great surprise. Villians like Crimson Dynamo etc should be saved for sequels anyway. Nice of Fav to lead us off the trail.

Yeah i'm thinking part of the reason for not having a High tech armour wearing villain in the first movie is so Iron Man's thunder isn't stolen on his debut

[deathshead2]

Mandarin.....magic rings.....racist character when originally conceived.....odd choice indeed.They mught make him more like the buisness man who wanted to buy starks company from him like in the 80s might wear th armor he used to wear.

[Darthphere]

Yeah i'm thinking part of the reason for not having a High tech armour wearing villain in the first movie is so Iron Man's thunder isn't stolen on his debut


True, people would be like "So what? Everyone has armor."

[Hunter Rider]

True, people would be like "So what? Everyone has armor."

Yep would have been like putting Zod in STM.......I just remembered this film isn't out until 2008:(

[ShadowBoxing]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/d/d5/Ironman275.png/389px-Ironman275.png (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/d/d5/Ironman275.png)
http://www.uncannyxmen.net/covers/uncanny/uncanny258.jpg
http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/rnrdist_1907_46049244 (http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/rnrdist_1907_46000131)

[Hunter Rider]

http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/rnrdist_1907_46049244 (http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/rnrdist_1907_46000131)

Is this from the 90's toon ?

[Lone Wolf]

This is a pleasant suprise. The entire time when people asked Favreau if Mandarin would be in the film, he was just keeping it hidden for the big reveal. Mandarin is one of Iron Man's classic villains. With the direction Favreau is taking the film, I can see him doing a lot of justice to the character. Great news.

And if they go with an unknown as Favs has said he will, you need a big name as the villain.

Not necessarily a complete unknown. Favreau wants someone with experience in the acting genre. For him it depends who the right person for the role is, star or not.

Yeah i'm thinking part of the reason for not having a High tech armour wearing villain in the first movie is so Iron Man's thunder isn't stolen on his debut

Agreed.

[ShadowBoxing]

http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/rnrdist_1907_46049244 (http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/rnrdist_1907_46000131)

Is this from the 90's toon ?yeppers

[Red Mask]

Nice to have the villain confirmed:up:

Wheres the teaser poster that they were going to unveil at Comic Con???!?!??!:confused: :confused:

Yeah. It's more than what I'm hearing about Wonder Woman. :) That's progress.

[GL's Light]

So it was Mandarin all along, eh? Favreau played us like a Stradivarius. :cool:

I can't imagine Mandarin will still be a villain who uses magic. That just wouldn't fit into the Tom Clancy techno-thriller vibe that Favreau has described. I'm thinking that Mandarin will still have his rings - they're too much a part of the character to dispense with - but they'll have a non-magical function. Perhaps each ring will have a technological function, instead of a magical one.

[Red Mask]

I thought the rings were originally from an alien technology.

[ang_hulk]

and the downward spiral continues.

[Lone Wolf]

I thought the rings were originally from an alien technology.

They are. I would also like to see the scientific side of Mandarin as well.

[Savage]

aw man, this is awesome news. :D This guy is one of my favorite villains ever.

I'm betting in the movie he's looking for the rings or collecting them but doesn't have them all in his hands till the end of the movie and is able to go toe to toe with Iron Man. I wanna see him like...Using telekenisis to throw boulders at him and crap. Move the floor from under him and slam him into the ceiling. Ooooh I can't wait! :D

[muscaremy]

three words on who should be cast....Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa

[Savage]

three words on who should be cast....Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa
Read my mind!

That was always the voice I imagined anyway.

[illmatikk]

three words on who should be cast....Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa

Shang Tsung!?...eh, maybe...iunno. i still like Ken Watanabe...or the guy that played "Ujio" in the Last Samurai (watanabe's partner in crime/long hair guy that beats the **** outta Mr. Scientology/Cruise).

[The Hurricane]

http://underworld.fortunecity.com/blood/201/marvel/mandarin004.JPG

[deathshead2]

Ken Watanabe he would be the best for the part and I hope to see the more business type tring to take power overs starks company sort of thing and that he wears hus own armor like in the comics not that lame green costume.

[Red X]

This seems an odd choice, but I have confidence in Faverau.

[Parker]

Ken Watanabe he would be the best for the part and I hope to see the more business type tring to take power overs starks company sort of thing and that he wears hus own armor like in the comics not that lame green costume.

Watanabe all the way.

[citizenpain]

to play the mandarin... they need... jet li or jackie chan or maybe even keanu reeves.

[Casius--J]

WOA where did that come from, i remember him sayin he wont be using the mandarin so i got used to the idea of him not being in it.

but wow this is good news, im excited to see the approach they take with him.

[Caliber]

Mandarin is a good choice and I hope he still has his magic rings. It make a more interesting conflict to have technology face magic.

[Doctor of Doom]

Excellent decision. Every update on this movie makes me think that Favreau was a great choice. Now we just need to see the armour...

[Cyrusbales]

I never really thought mandarin was a good villain for Iron man, I mean, iron-man can like fire lazer beams and missiles etc, thi guy doesn't have any powers really, I just feel Ironman needs a stronger opponent. However, story-wise, I fell this character will work well, I think we won't get the action film some are expecting, I feel it will be a lot deeper and slower paced than some expect, where the villain almost becomes a side-line for tony stark as he gets to grips with the ironman suit and we learn about him.

(anyone think Ironman was the basis for Metroid on nintendo?)

[Hunter Rider]

So it was Mandarin all along, eh? Favreau played us like a Stradivarius. :cool:

I can't imagine Mandarin will still be a villain who uses magic. That just wouldn't fit into the Tom Clancy techno-thriller vibe that Favreau has described. I'm thinking that Mandarin will still have his rings - they're too much a part of the character to dispense with - but they'll have a non-magical function. Perhaps each ring will have a technological function, instead of a magical one.

I like this:up:

[3dman27]

three words on who should be cast....Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa
NO MORE CALLS PLEASE WE HAVE A WINNER
so the movie will have"the invincible wraith of unstoppable glory that is the MANDARIN"[to quote the adaptid mandarin from iron man operation A.I.M.}AFTER ALL i like the idea

[Hiruu]

NO MORE CALLS PLEASE WE HAVE A WINNER
so the movie will have"the invincible wraith of unstoppable glory that is the MANDARIN"[to quote the adaptid mandarin from iron man operation A.I.M.}AFTER ALL i like the idea

Good Choice, but Fehr might be another great choice, although...the character's name is Mandarin.

As for the character, it's an excellent choice, as Mandarin is a genius, and he's got alien tech that makes what he does look like magic, PLUS he's an expert martial artist, who can achieve superhuman feat with the boosting from his tech.

He's an enemy of China, so the film can be crafted to generate a large appeal in that area of the world. China is currently one of the hotest economies in the world, so it makes perfect sense why Tony Stark would be hip-deep in that country.

[Hiruu]

Mandarin is a good choice and I hope he still has his magic rings. It make a more interesting conflict to have technology face magic.

His rings are alien tech.

[GL's Light]

His rings are alien tech.
Yeah, but alien tech wouldn't fit into the tone that Favreau's outlined either. And the rings have looked and functioned like magic rings, even if their actual origin is alien. The classic character design of Mandarin is that he looks like a sorcerer with magic rings. I'm thinking they'll change that to make him a more explicitly hi-tech enemy that'll fit better into Favreau's tecno-thriller design of the film.

[ThanosOfTitans]

Yeah, but alien tech wouldn't fit into the tone that Favreau's outlined either. And the rings have looked and functioned like magic rings, even if their actual origin is alien. The classic character design of Mandarin is that he looks like a sorcerer with magic rings. I'm thinking they'll change that to make him a more explicitly hi-tech enemy that'll fit better into Favreau's tecno-thriller design of the film.

I want the rings in and I want them to have all of their effects!!! The idea of no rings or the rings being downplayed pisses me off. If they're not going to use the rings, I would like to see them use another villain. I don't want the Mandarin altered in that way. Whenever I think of the Mandarin, I think of his rings. And I do agree that most would believe his rings function like magic, because I thought that when I first saw him befoe doing research on him. when i first saw the mandarin, I immediately fell in love with him. he is what made me even remotely interested in Iron Man.

[Mauser9910]

In 3 words ? Daniel Dae Kim.

http://www.theepochtimes.com/news_images/2006-3-11-davie.jpg

He now weights a lot more after LOST and he's been in Hulk and Spider-Man 2 already, he's already a Marvel boy ! :)

[SBrooks1]

Will he look like this on film?? LOL :D

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c279/SBrooks2006/mandarin.gif

[Spider-Fan]

I think he will have his rings, but they may just be rings he invented instead of the alien tech.

[chiefchirpa]

I keep hearing people want Favreau to make Iron Man feel realistic as real as Nolan's Batman Begins. Well, that won't sell much. Iron Man doesn't have to be realistic as Batman, because the idea of a man in an exosuit with jet boots and laser beam in his palm has never been real.

So wake up. People watch Spider-Man even it's unabashedly about fantasy. It sold more than Batman. Even F4 sold more than Batman. Extreme realism doesn't sell a comic movie.

That being said, I want Mandarin with Alien technology.

[GL's Light]

I keep hearing people want Favreau to make Iron Man feel realistic as real as Nolan's Batman Begins. Well, that won't sell much. Iron Man doesn't have to be realistic as Batman, because the idea of a man in an exosuit with jet boots and laser beam in his palm has never been real.

So wake up. People watch Spider-Man even it's unabashedly about fantasy. It sold more than Batman. Even F4 sold more than Batman. Extreme realism doesn't sell a comic movie.
No, you've misunderstood. It's not a matter of people saying they want Favreau to use a realistic approach, it's Favreau himself who has already described the tone he's aiming for with Iron Man. He's described in quite some detail how he plans to keep things grounded in reality, and to give the film a Tom Clancy technothriller vibe.

[chiefchirpa]

Yeah, but Favreau said he wanted to avoid Mandarin before. Casino Royale with the same release date should push him into action either he wants to make a conservative IM movie or a groundbreaking one.

Each of the Clancy movies have never been been a big earner and bringing in the Mandarin means the techno-thriller thing is off. Unless the Mandarin is different from the comic books. Even more different than F4 movie's Doom than its comic counterpart.

[GL's Light]

Yeah, but Favreau said he wanted to avoid Mandarin before. Casino Royale with the same release date should push him into action either he wants to make a conservative IM movie or a groundbreaking one.

Each of the Clancy movies have never been been a big earner and bringing in the Mandarin means the techno-thriller thing is off. Unless the Mandarin is different from the comic books. Even more different than F4 movie's Doom than its comic counterpart.
Favreau was still talking about taking a grounded, technothriller approach at the Comic-Con panel. I think Mandarin will be re-interpreted to fit that mold. And there's no way Iron Man and Bond will be released on the same weekend. One of them will move.

[Darthphere]

You guys mean Bond 22, Casino Royale comes out this November.

[GL's Light]

You guys mean Bond 22, Casino Royale comes out this November.
Yeah, I know, that's why I said Bond instead of Casino Royale. I just figured I'd let the mistake go without mentioning it. :)

[Hunter Rider]

Favreau was still talking about taking a grounded, technothriller approach at the Comic-Con panel. I think Mandarin will be re-interpreted to fit that mold. And there's no way Iron Man and Bond will be released on the same weekend. One of them will move.

And that's the best approach IMO,much like they did with BB and their adaption of RA's

[ThanosOfTitans]

I keep hearing people want Favreau to make Iron Man feel realistic as real as Nolan's Batman Begins. Well, that won't sell much. Iron Man doesn't have to be realistic as Batman, because the idea of a man in an exosuit with jet boots and laser beam in his palm has never been real.

So wake up. People watch Spider-Man even it's unabashedly about fantasy. It sold more than Batman. Even F4 sold more than Batman. Extreme realism doesn't sell a comic movie.

That being said, I want Mandarin with Alien technology.

ME TOO!

[Flame on!]

Either way, pretty awesome, but I expect him to be radically changed.
http://warehouse.carlh.com/article_029/ironman57.jpg

I welcome any change.

[kedrell]

In 3 words ? Daniel Dae Kim.

http://www.theepochtimes.com/news_images/2006-3-11-davie.jpg

He now weights a lot more after LOST and he's been in Hulk and Spider-Man 2 already, he's already a Marvel boy ! :)

Yeah, I could get behind that choice.

[Mauser9910]

Plus he showed already his great smooth evil skills on the show Angel. :)

[Flame on!]

I'll drink to that.

[Cyrusbales]

Yeah, I could get behind that choice.

Yer, i agree he'd be good for this, But I don't think he'll get it, I reckon they'll give it someone unknown or someone you really didn't expect would get it.

[kedrell]

He's still pretty unknown.

[Cyrusbales]

He's still pretty unknown.

Well Lost isn't exactly low profile is it??? And Angel had some big viewing figures. I think you'd be hard pushed to find someone who watched TV and didn't recognise him.

[Yellow Cyclone]

dae kim is the man

he always had minor roles until lost came along...agent baker in 24, and as somebody state he must sorta know comics. he even did stuff in the dcau

[GL's Light]

Daniel Dae Kim is the ubiquitous man in sci-fi/fantasy film and television: Lost, Angel, Crusade (Babylon 5 spinoff), Star Trek: Voyager, Star Trek: Enterprise, Spider-Man 2, Hulk, Charmed. He's everywhere! :)

[Hunter Rider]

Well Lost isn't exactly low profile is it??? And Angel had some big viewing figures. I think you'd be hard pushed to find someone who watched TV and didn't recognise him.
yeah but wouldn't know him as more than the dude from Lost

[kedrell]

I've never seen Lost. I only remembered seeing him as Gen. Ross's aide in Hulk.

[kedrell]

I don't remember how it was in the comics. Was the Mandarin about the same age as Tony or older than him?

[socalsam]

this soo kicks ass i was blown away as he said that it was out of no where

[3dman27]

I don't remember how it was in the comics. Was the Mandarin about the same age as Tony or older than him?
the same age i think

[Neto Magnus]

In 3 words ? Daniel Dae Kim.

http://www.theepochtimes.com/news_images/2006-3-11-davie.jpg

He now weights a lot more after LOST and he's been in Hulk and Spider-Man 2 already, he's already a Marvel boy ! :)
great choice!:up:

I just hope he doesn't get the chinese mustache. maybe a goatee for the new millenium.

[Chuck_the_bear]

Bring The Crimson Dynamo

[Dr.Dude]

Wow.... consider me surprised. I never thought in a million years that they'd actually use the Mandarin.

But since they are.... definitely looking forward to see what they do with the character. Should be interesting, definitely more than, say, Howard Stark, could ever be. :p ;)

[emi]

I have the feeling that the Mandarin is going to be used in the same way of Ra's Al Ghul in BB.

[3dman27]

Mandarin is a good choice and I hope he still has his magic rings. It make a more interesting conflict to have technology face magic.
maybe the'll use the aloen nanotecnolgy staryline to explain his power rings

[emi]

Sorry folks,
no magic skills for the Mandarin. Favreau talked with Comics Continuum about it:

"You want to pay homage to the comics, but you want to say what The Mandarin is today," Favreau told The Continuum. "Back then, we were very paranoid about Asia and paranoid with Communism. We live in, I think, a more culturally enlightened time. Things you got away with them, you don't now.

"But I think there are aspects to the character than you can maintain and make a formidable enemy."

Favreau said he feels this is the foe fans want to see.

"They all gravitate toward this guy because he was always one step ahead," Favreau said. "Well, we're going to keep it all tech-based. I don't want a magical character. But I'm definitely pay attention to what was written and how do you transpose that in a way that you're showing the fans that you're paying attention, but you don't sell the reality of the movie out where you have this magical, Fu Manchu type of character."

[Hunter Rider]

Sorry folks,
no magic skills for the Mandarin. Favreau talked with Comics Continuum about it:

"You want to pay homage to the comics, but you want to say what The Mandarin is today," Favreau told The Continuum. "Back then, we were very paranoid about Asia and paranoid with Communism. We live in, I think, a more culturally enlightened time. Things you got away with them, you don't now.

"But I think there are aspects to the character than you can maintain and make a formidable enemy."

Favreau said he feels this is the foe fans want to see.

"They all gravitate toward this guy because he was always one step ahead," Favreau said. "Well, we're going to keep it all tech-based. I don't want a magical character. But I'm definitely pay attention to what was written and how do you transpose that in a way that you're showing the fans that you're paying attention, but you don't sell the reality of the movie out where you have this magical, Fu Manchu type of character."

Fav gets it IMO,im sure there will be some fans upset with Mandarin not being magical but I think Fav will balance keeping it true to the comics while also making it cinematically workable

[bbf2]

I hope he's still Chinese, if he's Arab then it makes no sense for him to be called the Mandarin.

[GoblinScrier]

With this said about Mandarin being technological for the movie, does that mean he won't have the rings or will they now be a techno creation that can shoot energy bolts., etc. ?

[3dman27]

I hope he's still Chinese, if he's Arab then it makes no sense for him to be called the Mandarin.
he could be of chineese desent

[Savage]

Fav gets it IMO,im sure there will be some fans upset with Mandarin not being magical but I think Fav will balance keeping it true to the comics while also making it cinematically workable
Yeah, I am kinda iffy about that. I always recognized him by the 10 ring thing he had going. Oh well.

[Ironfan72]

If people remember, Mandarin didn't go anti technology until the 90's, when he turned into the magical Mandarin we know today, for decades he was Techno based, it turned out anyway that his 10 rings of power where alien tech, so I don't foresee to many changes to Mandarin that weren't already there before the 90's.

[Hiruu]

If people remember, Mandarin didn't go anti technology until the 90's, when he turned into the magical Mandarin we know today, for decades he was Techno based, it turned out anyway that his 10 rings of power where alien tech, so I don't foresee to many changes to Mandarin that weren't already there before the 90's.

I don't think Mandarin ever fully when the magic route, but he did seek ways to increase his powers. The rings seem to be a bit like the "one" ring, where the posseser gains some lasting benefits, plus Mandarin was skilled in Martial Arts, which has a strong spiritual aspect. So, for the movie, I'd like to see a more tech-based Mandarin, rather than a mystical one.

[GL's Light]

Comics Continuum spoke to Favreau about Mandarin:

Before the Marvel Studios panel at Comic-Con International on Saturday, Iron Man Jon Favreau revealed to The Continum that the film's villain will be The Mandarin.

"You want to pay homage to the comics, but you want to say what The Mandarin is today," Favreau told The Continuum. "Back then, we were very paranoid about Asia and paranoid with Communism. We live in, I think, a more culturally enlightened time. Things you got away with them, you don't now.

"But I think there are aspects to the character than you can maintain and make a formidable enemy."

Favreau said he feels this is the foe fans want to see.

"They all gravitate toward this guy because he was always one step ahead," Favreau said. "Well, we're going to keep it all tech-based. I don't want a magical character. But I'm definitely pay attention to what was written and how do you transpose that in a way that you're showing the fans that you're paying attention, but you don't sell the reality of the movie out where you have this magical, Fu Manchu type of character."

[XCharlieX]

Thats an interesting villain to do i would think. I hope they make the rings scattered across the globe or something as he collects them throughout the films.

But I'm definitely pay attention to what was written and how do you transpose that in a way that you're showing the fans that you're paying attention, but you don't sell the reality of the movie out where you have this magical, Fu Manchu type of character."

And im still puzzled as to what style hes aiming for... this could be like spiderman or more serious... who knows.

[Savage]

It sounds pretty serious to me. Just not Batman serious...Hulk is the best way I can describe what I'm seeing in tone. Just less psychological...

[Morgoth]

I'm happy that they are using the circle instead of the diamond, it's too much like Superman, the circle is just better. I hope they don't get too much into that realism b.s., I am so sick of that ruining comic book movies, they are fantasy, I watch these movies to see something I don't see everyday, Not reality.

[Raiden]

Although I like Mandarin, I'm disappointed that he will be used as the first villain for Iron Man. Since they are going for a real-world approach to the movie, why would they want to use a villain whose abilities seemed rather magic-based rather than techological-based? I was hoping that the focus will be in the technologies involved in making Iron Man and his enemies, so audience will be convinced that as far-fetched as it seems, something like an Iron Man may really happen in 2006.

But bringing a villain who uses rings to defeat Iron Man is imo the wrong way to establish the world of Iron Man in the first movie of this franchise. It would've been better if it is Crimson Dynamo or someone in the suit. I guess I'll see how this will play out, but so far I'm disappointed.

[3dman27]

I'm happy that they are using the circle instead of the diamond, it's too much like Superman, the circle is just better. I hope they don't get too much into that realism b.s., I am so sick of that ruining comic book movies, they are fantasy, I watch these movies to see something I don't see everyday, Not reality.
so do i i hope there's a 50-50 ratio of fanatsy and reality

[kirbyfan]

It's simple for me, I want the comic book version of these characters, do them realistically, base them in todays world, but give them the comic book look and treatment.

[Ironman24]

The thing about choosing the Mandarin, it actually stay's within the trend we are seeing with Comicbook films, Mandarin is Iron Man's arch enemy and in most of the films, thats who we see, Spider-Man vs. Green Goblin, Fantastic Four vs. Dr. Doom, Daredevil vs. Kingpin/Bullseye, X-Men vs. Magneto, Hulk vs. Abomination and Superman vs. Lex luthur, so picking Mandarin in the end was the logical choice,imo.

[kaijunexus]

Favreau - "For those of you who haven't heard, Mandarin will be the villian. But don't expect a magical Fu Manchu stereotype. We are taking many liberties to update the villian. He will still size up as Stark's nemesis, but we're throwing in a few surprises for the fans of the books."

Interesting. However, Mandarin wasn't really a "magical Fu Manchu" from the start. His powers were derived from alien technology. I wonder what kind of liberties they'll be taking.

[Iceburgeruk]

They should just have mandarin look like this then the whole wizardy feel is expelled.

Also the technological version they want would work fine. Just have that mandarin owns a company like stark and they have devloped minutarized weapons systems and technologies and that mandarin himself has used them in ring form.

http://aolsearch.aol.co.uk/redir?urn=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.uncannyxmen.net%2Fcover s%2Funcanny%2Funcanny258.jpg&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.uncannyxmen.net%2Fcovers%2Fun canny%2Funcanny258.jpg&&requestId=6d0104dd0d05f57b&clickedItemRank=2&source=googleImage&searchType=IS&partner=Google&query=uncanny%20258

[XCharlieX]

It's simple for me, I want the comic book version of these characters, do them realistically, base them in todays world, but give them the comic book look and treatment.

This franchise can be taken either way. I can easily see this film as a war toys and guns galore type of film. Iron man suits up to missile some bad guys away heh.

[Kvott]

Just wanted to add my two "sense" (mispelled on purpose).

While the movie may be just as good with Mandarin as the villian, I would have picked another villian at this point.

The movie will have to spend enough time with its origin - Mandarin requires his own amount of time to develop. Mark my words, splitting the story to explain who/what/how he came along will detract from Iron Man's own storyline.

On another issue, Iron Man really needed, as a first villian, someone he can go all out with....pull out all the big guns, etc.

Just to let you know - this is a standard I believe in - when you make the 1st movie for a superhero, you don't have him face his greatest villian...unless that's the only villian he has.

Superman vs. Lex
Batman vs. Joker
Captain America vs. Red Skull
Daredevil vs. Kingpin
...and so on.

In my opinion, the first movie, should quickly establish an origin and let the hero bash it out with his or her new powers. But I'll restate this: the focus should be heavily on the hero. I thought "Batman Returns" did this nicely. Little, but enough of Scarecrow, and more of the evolution of Batman.

The second movie, however, or third, or fourth, etc., is entirely available for the hero's main villian. Now that you know the hero, spend the story on this great villian, have them clash, and see the drama.

Anyhow, I won't dog a movie I haven't seen. And, of course I will see it. However, I wish the villian could have been Ultimo or Crimson Dynamo. Metal to Metal, no holds barred, lashing out action.

[Spidey&Batsy]

Pefect Viilian for Iron Man. Hopefully a good actor will play him.

[Blade X]

They should just have mandarin look like this then the whole wizardy feel is expelled.

Also the technological version they want would work fine. Just have that mandarin owns a company like stark and they have devloped minutarized weapons systems and technologies and that mandarin himself has used them in ring form.

http://aolsearch.aol.co.uk/redir?urn=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.uncannyxmen.net%2Fcover s%2Funcanny%2Funcanny258.jpg&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.uncannyxmen.net%2Fcovers%2Fun canny%2Funcanny258.jpg&&requestId=6d0104dd0d05f57b&clickedItemRank=2&source=googleImage&searchType=IS&partner=Google&query=uncanny%20258

You must have read my mind. I was also thinking that the best way to portray Mandarin would be as a an evil corporate head and to make the power of his rings derived from nano tech.

I also think that the film makers should look at and use Chris Claremont and Jim Lee's revised version of the character that appeared in their UXM run durring the LADY MANDARIN storyline (which the above cover you posted is from). I would prefer to see Mandarin wearing that 3 piece suit Lee drew him in on both the cover and on the inside of the first part of that cool story arc. Speaking of that cool cover, if you have it, could you please post a picture of that cover in this thread.