Official Mandarin Casting Thread

[tamron]

Okay. Let's make suggestions on just who should play Tony's archenemy in the upcoming movie. Here's a list of some viable candidates, just off the top of my head.

Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa
http://www.silverbulletcomicbooks.com/busted/images/050221/careyauto.jpg

Probably the front-runner in many people's minds. Prolific character actor, remembered as Shang Tsung in the first Mortal Kombat film. Skilled martial artist, as well.

Russell Wong
http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/9731/p3fk8.jpg

With Favs stating that IM will be a Clancy-type thriller, I wouldn't be surprised if Mandarin is presented in his "Zhang Tong" persona, an Asian businessman/government official with pull trying to stop Stark from expanding into China. Wong could fit that quite well. He's a very talented actor, I liked him a lot in as the star of Vanishing Son and Blash Sash and he played a good heavy in Romeo Must Die.

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

I know nil about this dude, but Mauser9910 mentioned him in the 'Mandarin confirmed' thread, and he has the look. I figure he's as good of a suggestion as anyone.

Rick Yune
http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/7407/meat1yunerp9.jpg

Again, if Mandarin is gonna be a businessman/governmental type guy, I could see Yune as a young hotshot pitted against Tony.

Ken Watanabe
http://img387.imageshack.us/img387/3061/373watanabeah7.jpg

Ken's a great actor. I don't think many people would disagree; no matter how Mandarin is written, he could deliver the goods.

Chow Yun Fat
http://img387.imageshack.us/img387/3378/chowyunfatvu2.gif

I know some have suggested him. He doesn't fit Mandarin to me, though.

[EternalMaster]

Yune and Kim are good choices.

Tagawa is too old. Wong is too young. Fat I can't see as playing a viable industrial businessman villain with a maniacal streak.

Watanabe is good, but way too typical a casting choice. Ever since Last Samurai, everyone wants to cast him in any part where an asian male is needed.

[Nivek]

Yune is cool, but I love Chow Yun Fat. I still hold a special place in my heart for the guy after all his John woo roles. Besides, the guys killed more people omn screen than anyone. Thats gotta count for villian credentials.

[tamron]

Yune and Kim are good choices.

Tagawa is too old. Wong is too young.

Wong's actually older than Yune or Kim. At 43, I think he's in just the right age range.

I agree Tagawa is too old.

[aroundthefur33]

[quote=tamron]
Russell Wong




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




Ken Watanabe
http://img387.imageshack.us/img387/3061/373watanabeah7.jpg

Ken's a great actor. I don't think many people would disagree; no matter how Mandarin is written, he could deliver the goods.

Chow Yun Fat
quote]those arent bad

[ultimatefan]

I wonder how they will portray the character in order to avoid making him feel like a comeback to the Fu Manchu stereotype.

[Mr. Credible]

i like daniel day kim, but please, no shang tsung. he's played this same role, for better or worse, too many times already. and he's not really a good actor.

[Ironfan72]

I really like Chow Yung Fat and Ken Watanabe, but I wonder if either would do another superhero flick, Chow Yung did Bullet Proof Munk and Ken did Batman Begins, but both would make a Killer Mandarin.

[Hiruu]

Chow Yun Fat...one of my fave actors, so I don't wanna see him as this villian.

Ken...Another Fave of mine, and I started checking out his stuff, after seeing him in Last Samurai. One of the highlights of BB...but that's the reason I don't think it's him either...don't wanna be pigeon-holed.

Cary...probably the best choice...he's extremely capable, and he's got the credibility to bring sature to the role.

Daniel DAe Kim, if they are looking for someone younger, but I guess we have to see where the film starts off...but Cary has my vote!

[Obi-Ron]

Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa
http://www.silverbulletcomicbooks.com/busted/images/050221/careyauto.jpg


You'd be hard-pressed to find a better Mandarin.

[Chuck_the_bear]

Ken looks the part but IM not familiar with his movies

[Mauser9910]

I like Tagawa but he's way too old now (56 and it hasn't started shooting yet) and I agree with Mr Credible, "been there done that" and the last time he "did that" was in Elektra :\

I'm surprised Daniel Dae Kim (38) isn't a familiar face by now, I thought Lost was a huge hit in the USA (plus he's been also on 24, The Shield, Hulk, Spider-Man 2etc)... He has definitely proven he had the acting chops to play evil characters with his Gavin Park role on Angel and Jin (Lost) had his intense moments as well.

I use the opportunity to regret a lot that Joss Whedon isn't on board, I'd have been more confident in him handling the supernatural background needed for the Mandarin (with optionnal Fin Fang Foom).

[iron_man7]

wantanabe or tony jaa

[Mauser9910]

Tony Jaa can't act and he's too much of a stunt guy/athlete to match the Mandarin (who isn't much an action guy).

[Philly Phanboy]

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

I know nil about this dude, but Mauser9910 mentioned him in the 'Mandarin confirmed' thread, and he has the look. I figure he's as good of a suggestion as anyone.

Rick Yune
http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/7407/meat1yunerp9.jpg

Again, if Mandarin is gonna be a businessman/governmental type guy, I could see Yune as a young hotshot pitted against Tony.



I'd go with either of these guys. :up:

[Worldbuilder]

As long as it's not Jackie Chan...

[kytrigger]

If they are looking for someone to mirror Stark, they could cast someone like Mark Dacascos.

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001092/photogallery-granitz-0

[kedrell]

Mark Dacascos is an interesting choice. I don't know much about him other than he was in Cradle2theGrave. That would be an intrigueing look though.

[kytrigger]

Mark Dacascos is an interesting choice. I don't know much about him other than he was in Cradle2theGrave. That would be an intrigueing look though.

Yeah, I think he has a great look if they decide to dark mirror Stark (although I have no idea if they will or not), but I don't really know about his acting ability. I thought he was ok in Cradle 2 the Grave (at least as good as can be in that film), and his best movie IMO was Brotherhood of the Wolf, but he barely spoke in that movie.

[Yellow Cyclone]

dae kim dammit!

[Skaigear2]

Mandarin is Chinese, so out of the list, I say Chow Yunfat. But I think Yuen Wah looks most like him.

[Son Of Logan]

What about Donnie Yen?

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y89/reflect4ever/yenhero.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y89/reflect4ever/Yen.jpg

[That-Guy]

Daniel Day Kim would be good... he can be one evil looking SOB when he wants to be. Watanabe would rock too, but the whole Batman Begins thing kind rules him out, IMO.

[WTFimVENOM]

Maby he shouldn't be asian? :D
Just Kidding, that dude from Die another day would be a good choice

[Gambit_Fan]

i think Ken Watanabe would be a good choice

[COME ON !]

Ken Watanabe all the way.

[Eddie Dean]

I like Daniel Dae Kim.

[Mr. Vice]

Daniel Dae Kim.

[Advanced Dark]

Ken is cool and Chow would be great. Dacosas looks more like Namor but those were his young days. Jason Scott Lee would be perfect too.

[RAMORE]

Yune and Kim are good choices.

Tagawa is too old. Wong is too young. Fat I can't see as playing a viable industrial businessman villain with a maniacal streak.

Watanabe is good, but way too typical a casting choice. Ever since Last Samurai, everyone wants to cast him in any part where an asian male is needed.


This is because he was soooooo good in it.





But i do agree with you.

[Son Of Logan]

Damn...no love for Donnie Yen? Imagine if he was a part of the choreography as well.

[Mal'Akai]

Chow Yun Fat!!!! No one else!!

[dos_acoustic]

what about the guy who played Shang Tsung in the Mortal Kombat movie

[josh8]

i cant see Kim playing the role because anyone who can tell knows just by looking at him that he's so obviously korean. that probably wouldnt bother the general public, but i cant see him as anything but korean or korean-american.

ken watenabe would be a great but obvious choice, and i believe he can pass as being chinese.

yune is not a good actor, and like kim, he looks very korean.

maybe tony leung or russell wong, although i think wong is pretty chunky now. haha.

[Worldbuilder]

Or he might be Afghani

[TheVileOne]

Daniel Dae Kim had bit roles in The Hulk and Spider-man 2. He was Ross's aide in The Hulk and a lab assistant in Spider-man 2.

I'm throwing John Lone's name into the hat.

[tamron]

Another good candidate from Jon's MySpace forum: Daoming Chen. He played the King of Qin in Hero.

http://gfx.filmweb.pl/p/83554/po.91189.jpg

[TNC9852002]

I'm leaning towards Daniel Dae Kim. He's a relative unknown and he fits the age best.

-TNC

[Chris B]

Ken Wantanbe would be a good choice. Even if he was in 'Batman Begins', he didn't receive a lot of screentime and came off as a mystical character in it. Some Favreau want to avoid with the Mandarin.

[Cinemaman]

Daniel Dae Kim

[terry78]

Unfortunately most asian people are the same to a lot of Americans in general, and they end up playing korean, chinese, japanese and what have you regardless of their actual ethnic background. I honestly couldn't differentiate until I started going out with the current korean girlfriend, who has multiple asian friends that I've seen umpteen times in order to tell the differences, so it would be obvious to them, but not to the average joe.

The other question is do they plan on playing him as a younger version or an older version?

[Worldbuilder]

Mandarin is revieled to be Doom in disguise!

[BobJM]

Daniel Dae Kim is a really inspired cast choice, however, I'm leaning towards Rick Yune.

I loved him in Die Another Day. He had that whole creepy look to him and edge that could be right for this revamped Mandarin they're going for. Plus that picture of him in the first post just sells it for me.

Someone in this thread asked earlier, how are they going to portray Mandarin and his rings without it coming off as cheesy. I've been contemplated this a little and I think I've come to a somewhat plausible conclusion.

Tony Stark comes back in town, ruining Mandarin's plans to overtake Stark Enterprises. After Iron Man reveals himself to the public by some incredible display of power, Mandarin becomes obsessed with the techonology on the suit. Mandarin learns of Iron Man's true identity and manages to steal designs. Using the technology of the suit to his advantage, Mandarin creates gauntlets that he can wear on his wrist/hands, (Think of Graves in Die Another Day with his weapon armor) capable of emitting a powerful pulsor beam. (No 10 different powers, 10 different rings). Now, aiding by his weapons, Mandarin also has a knowledge of Stark's injury, based on the plans for the chestplate in the designs he stole.

[Alpha and Omega]

Who should be cast as the Mandarin? (I don't know if a thread was already made about this; if it was, I'm sorry, and could someone merge it? Thanks)

Personally, I was thinking of Ken Watanabe. The only drawback to that is his former role in Begins. That technicality wouldn't bother me though.

http://i.timeinc.net/ew/dynamic/imgs/031230/145949__watanabe_l.jpg

Your thoughts?

EDIT: I'm really sorry. COULD I HAVE THIS MERGED RIGHT AWAY? I SAW THE CASTING THREAD AS SOON AS I MADE THIS. :o

[kpjoon]

oops

[kpjoon]

In my eyes, Ken Watanabe is the 'go-to asian' actor.
I love Ken but I'm tired of him.
I'm not sure what his name is but I think it's Will Yun Lee?
The guy who came out of Torque and Elektra.
I think he would be a cool choice.
http://www.willyunlee.com/Unleashed_1.jpg

or maybe Hiroyuki Sanada from The Promise and The Last Samurai
http://www.twilightforest.net/sanada/images/premiere-hiroyuki-03.jpg

[Alpha and Omega]

Originally, I liked the idea of Ken Watanabe or Hiroyuki Sanada as the Mandarin.

Then I read the article on AICN where Farveau said that they were casting someone in his mid-30's, so those two are out.

Here it is: http://www.aintitcool.com/display.cgi?id=24012

Then I started thinking about other talented actors, and as someone here already mentioned previously:

Daniel Dae Kim is an excellent candidate:
http://www.prosieben.de/imperia/md/images/spielfilm_und_serie/lost/darsteller/Lost_Dae_Kim_200_225_Touchstone_Television.jpg

Another good choice is the guy who co-starred on that cancelled NBC show: Surface. His name is Ian Anthony Dale:
http://eur.yimg.com/i/xp/premier_photo/5/55e64c7fa3.jpg

You can see some more apropos pics of him at the old show website:
http://www.tv.com/ian-anthony-dale/person/169724/photos.html?tag=stars;more_img;5

[ObakeTora]

James Hong

http://cricketfeet.com/actingqs/JamesHong.jpg

http://www.johnnytao.com/pictures/Lopan.gif

http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en/thumb/0/08/250px-Ironman275.png

Not exactly Chinese. He's Korean, but I always saw him as the Mandarin.

[Penguin]

I'd say Jet Li :woot:

[Avangarde]

I'd say Jet Li :woot:

Jet has retired from action movies now I think.

[NinjaTurtleFan]

Ken Watanabe, Chow Yun-Fat, or Hiroyuki Sanada are my picks for The Mandarin.

[Weadazoid]

If favreau had any balls at all or wanted to pay some homage he would go with the ICON..of all asian ICONS...

Sonny CHiba http://www.poster.net/chiba-sonny/chiba-sonny-photo-sonny-chiba-6206814.jpg

http://www.bodyweapon.com/images/Sonny_Chiba.jpg


tell me he aint got Mandarin all over him


http://www.ninjadojo.com/video1/chiba.jpg

He even has the stash...and it looks good on him His english is pretty damn good in Kill Bill as well... he was the swordsmith

[KingOfDreams]

Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa...

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0846480/

[Weadazoid]

Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa...

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0846480/


Meh he has the look thats for sure but he has been in to many B movies the only role I take him seriously in is in Rising Sun 1993, but he is working with SNipes and Connery, so he gets some ups
has the looks just not sure if he has the chops

[R_Hythlodeus]

Takeshi Kitano

[Ironman24]

I like Ken Watanabe or Chow Yun-Fat, but I was also thinking Jet Li as well.

[Philly Phanboy]

I could see Donnie Yen or Roger Yuan too.

[Silvermoth]

My vote goes to Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa

[DarthDaveBanner]

Watanabe.

[terry78]

The Mandarin isn't an old decrepit asian guy, he's about middle age. So these dudes in their late 50's and 60's aren't gonna cut it.

[Iceburgeruk]

It seems like the list is getting better but just to make sure could we please stop suggesting non-chinese actors please.

He is THE MANDARIN. He cannot be played by a non-chinese actor.

Remember we live in the age of globalized dvd and film distribution. How much revenue/box office could be lost in oriental countries who quite rightfully would percieve non-chinese mandarin as essentially being a neon sign saying "chinese-korean-japanese its all the same."

Its like having paul hogan playing captain america with thick australian accent. Or Samual l jackson playing joseph stalin.

I agree the australian captain america would be hilarious ("You call that a shield? THIS is a shield!" LOL "Crikey this red skull fella is angry, i`ll just stick my thunb in his butt-hole...gawd he`s really p***ed off now!" LOL) but the point is that the mandarin is most definitly a chinese character (the name is a big clue) and as such he should only be played by a chinese actor.

Its not a matter of a quibble over whether a canadian could play a british character or something. There are clear racial differences between the various asian groups, when you are making mainstream films you especially have to keep this firmly in mind, if you cast a film with average samurai characters in it then you have to make sure the principal actors are japanese.

So can we just have a list of the chinese and/or part chinese actors who could play the part.

[Antonello Blueberry]

Andy Lau (Tak Wah Lau) from "Infernal Affairs" and "House of Flying Daggers"
http://www.hkcinemagic.com/en/images/people/large/andylau_737466340b065ae9aa7fd2c3d0dc1b0d.jpg

http://us.movies1.yimg.com/movies.yahoo.com/images/hv/photo/movie_pix/sony_pictures_classics/house_of_flying_daggers/_group_photos/andy_lau6.jpg

[Iceburgeruk]

Andy Lau (Tak Wah Lau) from "Infernal Affairs" and "House of Flying Daggers"
http://www.hkcinemagic.com/en/images/people/large/andylau_737466340b065ae9aa7fd2c3d0dc1b0d.jpg

http://us.movies1.yimg.com/movies.yahoo.com/images/hv/photo/movie_pix/sony_pictures_classics/house_of_flying_daggers/_group_photos/andy_lau6.jpg

Checked up on them on wikipedia. Seems like a solid choice. Big fan base, solid acting career....correct nationality.lol. I think they would work well as the mandarin.

[Ironfan72]

It seems like the list is getting better but just to make sure could we please stop suggesting non-chinese actors please.

He is THE MANDARIN. He cannot be played by a non-chinese actor.

Remember we live in the age of globalized dvd and film distribution. How much revenue/box office could be lost in oriental countries who quite rightfully would percieve non-chinese mandarin as essentially being a neon sign saying "chinese-korean-japanese its all the same."

Its like having paul hogan playing captain america with thick australian accent. Or Samual l jackson playing joseph stalin.

I agree the australian captain america would be hilarious ("You call that a shield? THIS is a shield!" LOL "Crikey this red skull fella is angry, i`ll just stick my thunb in his butt-hole...gawd he`s really p***ed off now!" LOL) but the point is that the mandarin is most definitly a chinese character (the name is a big clue) and as such he should only be played by a chinese actor.

Its not a matter of a quibble over whether a canadian could play a british character or something. There are clear racial differences between the various asian groups, when you are making mainstream films you especially have to keep this firmly in mind, if you cast a film with average samurai characters in it then you have to make sure the principal actors are japanese.

So can we just have a list of the chinese and/or part chinese actors who could play the part.


Why not, do you know how many British actors play American roles and actually do a better American then we do, just watch Blackhawk Down, most of the major roles were played by Brits, so if the guy can act and looks the part, it doesn't matter what nationality he or she is, it's who's right for the role.

[Iceburgeruk]

Why not, do you know how many British actors play American roles and actually do a better American then we do, just watch Blackhawk Down, most of the major roles were played by Brits, so if the guy can act and looks the part, it doesn't matter what nationality he or she is, it's who's right for the role.

Yeha but this is an issue of race. And we aren`t talking about an issue of race as in "should kingpin be a white guy". Brits and americans are pyhsically the same so you can interchange with just a change of accents, japanese and chinese people simply have several subtle differences in both culture and appearance.

The most important thing is that the guy is called the MANDARIN. Type in mandarin on wikipedia and waht are the two frist bits which ping up?

Mandarin (linguistics), a group of dialects of spoken Chinese, or more specifically, its standardized version, which is the most common form of Chinese language spoken today, Standard Mandarin
Mandarin (bureaucrat), a bureaucrat of Imperial China, and in the United Kingdom and Canada, by analogy, any government bureaucrat

He isn`t just a character who may or might not have a link to china. He is named after the spoken chinese language! To not make him chinese just seems like an insult.

You could say a character called English could be played by an american and so on but mandarin is a language limited pretty much completly to china. A person of japanese or thai decent simply wouldn`t call themselves the mandarin as they woulkd ahve no links or connections to either the language or to a chinese government system.

China and japan have never been good buddies. It will only come across as a kick in the face if you cast a japanese actor as a character who was originally chinese and who is named after their primary language. Its kind of like cleaning your u-bend with the us constitution. Its just gonna make people at least a little miffed. And thats not even touching on the "you all look the same" insult that would underline the whole thing.

He is named after the chinese language. He was chinese in the comics. He was largely a hideously over the top chinese steriotype. So in the end it seems a no brainer that a chinese actor should play them. If that isn`t possible then maybe a korean actor could do the part (korea is on the border with china so there is probable mixing of the cultures and they have a better relationship historically)

[kytrigger]

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l52/rbouras/markdacascos.jpg

I still like Mark Dacascos for the role. And he's in his early 40's now which is perfect age for Mandarin IMO.

[Iceburgeruk]

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l52/rbouras/markdacascos.jpg

I still like Mark Dacascos for the role. And he's in his early 40's now which is perfect age for Mandarin IMO.

He seems a good candidate as well. I know he is both part japanese and part chinese but in the end the important thing is that the actor should be at least part chinese to justify them portraying the mandarin.

I mean seeing how many chinese people and people with chinese ancestry there are, it should not be an issue that one might have to use a japanese or american actor with no chinese ancestry in the role. Surely there are enough very good korean, chinese or part-chinese actors for the role.

[Brian Braddock]

As much as a fan that I am of Decascos, I really can't see him as the Mandarin. Andy Lau is a good pick too but I'd much prefer Byron Mann (coincidentally seen here with Decascos in the background):-

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b64/SUPERBENITEZ/bm_cf12a.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b64/SUPERBENITEZ/bm_cfglassesr40.jpg


He'd be my pick. A solid actor and Chinese to boot (I agree with Iceburgeruk, the actors gotta be Chinese for the reasons he mentioned).

[TheVileOne]

Iceburg seems to get it.

[Savage]

Mann...Wasn't he Ryu in Street Fighter?
I like him but...Something about him puts me off. Mandarin has an older look to him. I like the Andy Lau choice much more.

[Brian Braddock]

Hehe - Yeah, he was Ryu in 'Street Fighter' - but we won't hold that against him, eh? lol. :D

That was 12 year ago though andthe pic's I posted from 'Crying Freeman' are 11 years old, so I imagine he's looking a little older now.

Here's one from 'The Corruptor' where he looks a little more weathered, and that was in '99!

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b64/SUPERBENITEZ/byronmanngijjhojohjjq.jpg

He's a decent actor with a large body of work behind him.


They could do worse.

[Savage]

The Corruptor. Oh yeah, I remember him...Hmm. Yeah. I can see him as Mandarin. Just not the best choice.

...I can see him as Shang Chi or The Cat but not Mandarin. Mandarin to me should have this...grizzled, almost wrinkled look to him. He is very similar to Shang Tsung. They were both obviously based on Fu Manchu.

[Advanced Dark]

Someone is now claiming on Favreu's site that Oded Fehr has been signed to play the Mandarin. He also sort of challenged Favreau to say it's not so. No comments yet but...uh yeah that makes alot of sense. LOL Unless he's gonna be in the background the entire film and we only see his arm petting a cat and we assume he's Chinese...then near the end reveal it's just his code-name. LOL I would have been happy with Oded as Iron Man but not as happy as I am with RDJ.

[Walks Unseen]

Ken Watanbe would be great but doubtfull due to him being Ra's Al Ghul in Batman Begins. Andy Lau and Cary Hiroyoki Tagawa are also great choices.

[ChinoXL]

hands down Donnie Yen - he could offer so much to the set - so far he's the best option i see in this thread

[Walks Unseen]

Remember, you probabaly want someone around RDJnr's age so a younger asian actor like the ones mentioned above would probabaly not fit in with the film.

[Antonello Blueberry]

Remember, you probabaly want someone around RDJnr's age so a younger asian actor like the ones mentioned above would probabaly not fit in with the film.
Andy Lau is 45. Too bad he's starting a new movie with Jet Li in a few weeks.

[Son Of Logan]

hands down Donnie Yen - he could offer so much to the set - so far he's the best option i see in this thread

Thank you for seeing that as well.

[The Ski Mask]

Someone is now claiming on Favreu's site that Oded Fehr has been signed to play the Mandarin. He also sort of challenged Favreau to say it's not so.

That individual must be High when he posted...

[Retroman]

It's been a long time since Favreau confirmed Mandarin as the main villain in Iron Man. Now as they enter the first day of principal photography there still have been no annoucements and not even rumors about candiates for the role (not to my knowledge at least). Is it possible that the role has been ditched from the script or perhaps they hired an unknown actor to don the rings? :huh:

[Antonello Blueberry]

It's been a long time since Favreau confirmed Mandarin as the main villain in Iron Man. Now as they enter the first day of principal photography there still have been no annoucements and not even rumors about candiates for the role (not to my knowledge at least). Is it possible that the role has been ditched from the script or perhaps they hired an unknown actor to don the rings? :huh:
Maybe the Mandarin scenes are scheduled for later in the shooting, so there was no hurry to cast the role. The part was in the cast search announcement, so we'll probably here something in the next few days. We still don't know who's Happy Hogan.
And according to Millar, for Wanted they won't disclose a big name working on the movie up 'till the ending of the shooting.

[Retroman]

Maybe the Mandarin scenes are scheduled for later in the shooting, so there was no hurry to cast the role. The part was in the cast search announcement, so we'll probably here something in the next few days. We still don't know who's Happy Hogan.
And according to Millar, for Wanted they won't disclose a big name working on the movie up 'till the ending of the shooting.

Thats sounds plausible. Whoever they're after they've done a good job of keeping it secret.

[Chris B]

It's been a long time since Favreau confirmed Mandarin as the main villain in Iron Man. Now as they enter the first day of principal photography there still have been no annoucements and not even rumors about candiates for the role (not to my knowledge at least). Is it possible that the role has been ditched from the script or perhaps they hired an unknown actor to don the rings? :huh:

Based on that casting call and assuming that the Mandarin's real name will be Gene Kahn in the film, I think that they are probably aiming for an unknown. It seems to me that if they wanted Chow Yun Fat or Ken Watanabe, they would approach them first.

[terry78]

^Not to mention someone of that caliber would be announced along with the rest of the A-listers. All they really need to do is find a decent Hong Kong actor that can emote, do action, and can speak english. It would fare better than "hey, that's Chow Yun Fat playing the Mandarin!"

[Chris B]

^ Taking into consideration that possibility, I like the suggestion of Tony Leung that a few other people have made.

[vader519]

I know Tagawa may be too old, but I think he is the best choice to play Mandarin. Just the other day on tv, I saw the movie The Phantom, where he is in it and plays a chinese pirate. He had the long and facial hair, and I swear he looked like Mandarin. I will try and find a pic.

[Retroman]

Based on that casting call and assuming that the Mandarin's real name will be Gene Kahn in the film, I think that they are probably aiming for an unknown. It seems to me that if they wanted Chow Yun Fat or Ken Watanabe, they would approach them first.

Yeah and it'd probably have leaked already too. I'm sure there are enough capable 'unknown' asian actors out there who could play the role perfectly.

[CAH]

I think The Mandarin will be a very interesting villain, and definately cool on screen. His real name is going to be Gene Kahn?! Interesting...

...I was hoping they would go for another big name (seeing as all this film is is star power, nothing bad about that though) but it doesn't matter to me if they go for an unknown. I just can't wait for the conformation on the actor...

CAH

[FlawlessVictory]

An unknown works fine for Gene Khan aka the Mandarin. Besides, he will not be the true villain behind everything in this series, Obadiah will be.

[FVD]

I just hope this movie doesn't turn out to be similar to Batman Begins with Mandarin pulling the strings over Stane. That would spell major copout. But that's my opinion. :whatever:

[tamron]

I think it could either go that way, or something like The Usual Suspects, with the Mandarin being some sort of myth orchestrated by Stane so that he can manipulate Tony while seemingly being his ally.

[FVD]

Hmm that ain't too much a bad idea I suppose.

[Chris B]

Someone is now claiming on Favreu's site that Oded Fehr has been signed to play the Mandarin. He also sort of challenged Favreau to say it's not so. No comments yet but...uh yeah that makes alot of sense. LOL Unless he's gonna be in the background the entire film and we only see his arm petting a cat and we assume he's Chinese...then near the end reveal it's just his code-name. LOL I would have been happy with Oded as Iron Man but not as happy as I am with RDJ.

While that's not true, it raises an interesting point. I recall that in the casting call, Gene Kahn was refered to as a Central Asian character. That makes me wonder if they changes the Mandarin's race for the film. Maybe I'm just reading too much into it, but it does make you wonder.

[Weadazoid]

While that's not true, it raises an interesting point. I recall that in the casting call, Gene Kahn was refered to as a Central Asian character. That makes me wonder if they changes the Mandarin's race for the film. Maybe I'm just reading too much into it, but it does make you wonder.




China is about as Center asian as you can get...Mongolian as well.....

but I would think..in terms of business...a Japanease nemesis would make more sense...technology and all......probubly would have HAD to have been a Japanease character 10 years ago...

but now..I don't think its that big a deal...CHina is the new hot spot for business

[kpjoon]

It seems like the list is getting better but just to make sure could we please stop suggesting non-chinese actors please.

He is THE MANDARIN. He cannot be played by a non-chinese actor.

Remember we live in the age of globalized dvd and film distribution. How much revenue/box office could be lost in oriental countries who quite rightfully would percieve non-chinese mandarin as essentially being a neon sign saying "chinese-korean-japanese its all the same."

Its like having paul hogan playing captain america with thick australian accent. Or Samual l jackson playing joseph stalin.

I agree the australian captain america would be hilarious ("You call that a shield? THIS is a shield!" LOL "Crikey this red skull fella is angry, i`ll just stick my thunb in his butt-hole...gawd he`s really p***ed off now!" LOL) but the point is that the mandarin is most definitly a chinese character (the name is a big clue) and as such he should only be played by a chinese actor.

Its not a matter of a quibble over whether a canadian could play a british character or something. There are clear racial differences between the various asian groups, when you are making mainstream films you especially have to keep this firmly in mind, if you cast a film with average samurai characters in it then you have to make sure the principal actors are japanese.

So can we just have a list of the chinese and/or part chinese actors who could play the part.

Memoirs of a Geisha had Chinese actresses playing Japanese women. Tokyo drift had Korean and Chinese playing Japanese characters.
Majority of Hollywood movies have Europeans playing American roles and vice versa. And I'm pretty sure we have different African-Americans of different countries playing people from other African countries.
Welcome to Hollywood, rookie.

[Atomicchuck3k]

Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa

http://www.fanzone50.com/faves/Cary-Phantom.jpg

http://www.fanzone50.com/faves/Cary-Zylin3.jpg

[Octoberist]

I think The Mandarin will be a very interesting villain, and definately cool on screen. His real name is going to be Gene Kahn?! Interesting...

...I was hoping they would go for another big name (seeing as all this film is is star power, nothing bad about that though) but it doesn't matter to me if they go for an unknown. I just can't wait for the conformation on the actor...

CAH

Funny enough, 'gene khan' was Manarian's former aliases, according to this site. MInd you the profile was made was before the casting announcing for the movie.

http://www.marveldirectory.com/individuals/m/mandarin.htm

[Advanced Dark]

It's weird Favreau and Marvel haven't said a word about "the mandarin". LOL Watch "The Mandarin" be some computer program that helps Obidiah take over Stark Enterprises. LOL

[Antonello Blueberry]

It's weird Favreau and Marvel haven't said a word about "the mandarin". LOL Watch "The Mandarin" be some computer program that helps Obidiah take over Stark Enterprises. LOL
I heard that they found the perfect Mandarin. (http://www.naturesflavors.com/images/mandarin_lg.jpg)