Favreau's Mandarin Choices Revealed.

[cje_316]

Favreau Talks Iron Man 3. Yes, Already.

file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/CHRIST%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.jpg


"Iron Man" film series director Jon Favreau says we might next be getting the character's greatest nemesis, The Mandarin, when a third installment eventually gets underway.

Talking with MTV News, Favreau says "You have to do The Mandarin... The problem with The Mandarin is, the way it's depicted in the comic books (http://www.411mania.com/movies/columns/138662), you don't want to see that. He also has ten magical rings, and it just doesn't feel right for our thing, so it's either tech-based or the rings are not really rings."

Favreau setup hints of the Mandarin in the first film with the terrorist organization called the 'Ten Rings' mentioned in the credits. The comic character, a Fu Manchu-style Asian caricature with ten magical rings, would have to be updated though. As far as casting goes for the Mandarin I've got my eye on 3 canidates at this time; Martial Arts Pioneer Donnie Yen, Chow Yun Fat recently did an excellent portrayl of Confucious he practically had the Mandarin look right there you should check that out, & that model turned actor "Rain" from Ninja Assassin. So far though only Donnie has actually responded with interest in the role; but we'll see.

Of course a lot depends upon Marvel Studio's upcoming slate including "Thor," "Captain America: The First Avenger" and "The Avengers". The helmer says "What's going to have happened by then? With 'Thor,' you're going to have all this supernatural stuff happening and magic and there's a lot of stuff going on in the world. If it's going to match the comic books, it's going to be incredibly complex for film."

But he's not thinking of leaving Tony Stark high and dry either - "I would like 'Iron Man 3' to pay it off".

[chamber-music]

Donnie Yen is actully my prefered choice out of the 3 listed so i'm glad he expressed intrest. Although his background is mostly in martial arts action movies his a decent actor also.

Andy Lau would be my top pick though.

[cje_316]

Agreed, Andy definitely needs something quick as his recent effort "Future X-cops" was just plain bad.

[Iron_Stark]

Rain from Ninja Assassin? NO Favreau, NO.

Chow Yun Fat please.

[DarthDaveBanner]

I thought at first those were Fav's choices for the Mandarin and got excited...they're just the article writer's choices. Still good to know he'll be showing up soon though.

[Nathan]

If Donnie Yen should happen to end up as the Mandarin, I can't help it but to root for him. Kick his ass Donnie! :awesome:

[Hypestyle]

Chow Yun Fat, preferably.. someone introduce him to the comics now, so he can campaign for the role..

[ElMariachi]

I love Donnie Yen. He was one of the guys I hoped would be tossed around as Mandarin. Chow Yun Fat and Tony Leung would good too. What I like about Donnie Yen is that he speaks pretty good English. Same goes with CYF. Jet Li wouldn't be bad, but I can't take his voice seriously as a villian.

Kind of an outside choice for me is Sung Kang. He was in Fast in the Furious: Tokyo Drift and pretty good in it.

[chamber-music]

Donnie Yen grew up in Boston so he speaks english.

[cje_316]

I thought at first those were Fav's choices for the Mandarin and got excited...they're just the article writer's choices. Still good to know he'll be showing up soon though.

Hey Darth please re-read that article. According to it that's a direct quote from Fav.

[GL1]

I like Rain as an actor, but I'd rather Madarin be someone on Tony's age level.

[cje_316]

I think Donnie could pull this one out. Question is between Chow & Donnie who would have the stronger screen presence?


http://www.zshare.net/image/76008095fe789a59/http://dl077.zshare.net/download/d456f50a13a0417485c7b8bbc197a66c/1273692456/76008095/Donnie1.jpg
http://www.zshare.net/image/76008095fe789a59/


http://screencrave.frsucrave.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/Picture-1-09-56-14.jpg

[THE MR. TERRIFIC]

Donnie Yen is my choice!

[Dark Raven]

I don't want the Mandarin to be too young. He needs to be regal, dignified and imperious, with an air of menace about him, not just some high-kicking young upstart. I don't want the likes of Jet Li or Jackie Chan (who would just be a clown). Mandarin will need to be able to speak english well and be very articulate. He doesn't have to be a Fu Manchu type, but what's wrong with having him like these long-haired, goatee beared sagely types? If Chinese cinema are quite happy using these types in movies, and we see them in period-set action films like we see with Chow Yun Fat above, then obviously they find it completely acceptable and not reinforcing a stereotype. I don't think it is anyway. A goatee-bearded, long-haired, royal robed Mandarin is simply honoring Chinese culture and tradition and appreciating aspects that make that culture distinctive.

[Nathan]

Donnie Yen could definitely pull off the Mandarin. He's in the same age range as Downey, even a year older I think. He can pull off the look, he speaks fluent English, Cantonese and Mandarin, and I think he's got the acting chops for the role.

http://img36.imageshack.us/img36/8052/14blades22.jpg (http://img36.imageshack.us/i/14blades22.jpg/)

http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/3895/1420blades20with20donni.jpg (http://img15.imageshack.us/i/1420blades20with20donni.jpg/)

[Dark Raven]

Yeah, he could work. I hadn't seen pictures of him yet in this thread but he looks like he's a good candidate. He seems better than Chow Yun Fat, that's for sure, and more menacing. His goatee isn't that far different from Tony Stark, so why shouldn't he have that look?

[kedrell]

Yen, Fat or Lau are all winners IMO if they get the role.

[AVEITWITHJAMON]

Ken Watanabe or Hiroyuki Sanada would both make great Mandarin's IMO.

I have just finished reading 'Haunted' as well it would be a great way to do The Mandarin on screen.

[Tony Stark]

I know he's Korean but I would really like to see Daniel Dae Kim from Lost. He's a great actor, and I'd love to see him get a chance at a big screen role. But Donnie Yen would be good as well.

[bullets]

Yes ! Donnie Yen :up:

[FaT_tONle]

Rain can be the body guard. He is way too young as was mentioned. I don't mind if they go with an actor who has been big in Asia but not here yet. I can live with a thick accent as long as it's not a funny or comical one, like Chan or Li. Fat is too old... maybe in his John Woo days. Even Crouching Tiger. His best days are well behind him.

[Chris B]

Rain can be the body guard. He is way too young as was mentioned. I don't mind if they go with an actor who has been big in Asia but not here yet. I can live with a thick accent as long as it's not a funny or comical one, like Chan or Li. Fat is too old... maybe in his John Woo days. Even Crouching Tiger. His best days are well behind him.

I think Fat could still pull if off. Personally, I would prefer it if the Mandarin was a couple of years older than Stark.

[Maximillian]

He also has ten magical rings, and it just doesn't feel right for our thing.
Despite the fact that Thor takes place in the same universe, with all the supernatural stuff happening...

[Ipodman]

Donnie Yen would be great. He's now an extremely popular kung-fu icon in Asia

[TMC1982]

I like Rain as an actor, but I'd rather Madarin be someone on Tony's age level.

I would only want Rain to be cast just to here what Stephen Colbert has to say! :hehe:

[RealIrOnMaN]

http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2010/160/8/e/8e25439d9c79f70f4db10b0cc6b6e8d9.png
Simply awesome! As much as I hate "using the armored villain AGAIN" concept.

[Iron_Stark]

That looks pretty cool. Where did you find that?

[Judge Holden]

Despite the fact that Thor takes place in the same universe, with all the supernatural stuff happening...

Thor isn't going to be strictly magic though. It's gonna be a cross between sorcery and tech.

[FaT_tONle]

Looks like Rourke with a tan and a whack job of a plastic surgery operation.

[Wesley Dodds]

Looks like Rourke with a tan and a whack job of a plastic surgery operation.


So... Looks just Rourke then...

[FaT_tONle]

Yeah... basically. I mean the guy was pegged to play Gengis Khan at one point so yeah, I hope Marvel had him signed to 2-3 movies.

[The Adama]

I would be really irritated if they made the Mandarin too young. Also, with the rings being some sort of tech, I can't help but think about the Iron Man: Armored Adventures take on it. I'll be really curious to see what path they take.

[Son of Coul]

Those weren't Favreau's Mandarin choices for the record, it was the article writer's. Read it a little more closely.

[FVD]

Donnie Yen would be AMAZING!!!! The Ip Man movies were awesome!

[Squidboy]

Despite the fact that Thor takes place in the same universe, with all the supernatural stuff happening...

Depends on the overall reaction to Thor and the Avengers, really. If the audience can accept magic being in the same universe as Tony Stark, and it feels like a natural extension of the universe, and not just something thrown in there for giant-scale fights, then maybe Favreau will sing a different tune when it comes to Mandarin. If anything, I'd like IM3 to take a page from The Ultimates and make it unclear whether Mandarin is using magic or tech until the very end.

[Slushy]

Of the three, I would go with Donnie Yen, but you can't go wrong with Ken Watanabe.

Personally, I wish Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa would get the role.

[the alamo rippe]

http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2010/160/8/e/8e25439d9c79f70f4db10b0cc6b6e8d9.png
Simply awesome! As much as I hate "using the armored villain AGAIN" concept.



dude how else is he suppose to fight iron man in the movies? people who saw im2 saw that you cant fight im without armor.. in the comics its different

[grownuptrunks]

I love Donnie Yen. He was one of the guys I hoped would be tossed around as Mandarin. Chow Yun Fat and Tony Leung would good too. What I like about Donnie Yen is that he speaks pretty good English. Same goes with CYF. Jet Li wouldn't be bad, but I can't take his voice seriously as a villian.

Kind of an outside choice for me is Sung Kang. He was in Fast in the Furious: Tokyo Drift and pretty good in it.

I thought he played a very good vialian in the one. Hes preety bad ass there, but I cant picture him being the manderin.

[grownuptrunks]

My choice for manderin would be James Hong. I always pictured him being older. and James hongs was realy good at playing an evil wizard, so i think he make a good fit.

[grownuptrunks]

dude how else is he suppose to fight iron man in the movies? people who saw im2 saw that you cant fight im without armor.. in the comics its different

I think if they do go with amour its going to be like the amour from Iron man amoured aventures.

[kedrell]

I highly doubt they'll go with armor for the Mandarin.

[grownuptrunks]

I highly doubt they'll go with armor for the Mandarin.
I agree, but I am expecting the unexpected , so I am not disapointed.

[BrollySupersj]

Donnie Yen could definitely pull off the Mandarin. He's in the same age range as Downey, even a year older I think. He can pull off the look, he speaks fluent English, Cantonese and Mandarin, and I think he's got the acting chops for the role.

http://img36.imageshack.us/img36/8052/14blades22.jpg (http://img36.imageshack.us/i/14blades22.jpg/)

http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/3895/1420blades20with20donni.jpg (http://img15.imageshack.us/i/1420blades20with20donni.jpg/)

I'm with you on this one. If anyone should be Mandarin, I'm leaning towards this guy.

[Iron_Stark]

http://splashpage.mtv.com/2010/12/08/iron-man-3-mandarin-jon-favreau/

So does this changing universe and the introduction of magical elements in films like "Thor" mean we're any closer to seeing The Mandarin's diabolical blend of sorcery and science?


"I hope so," said Favreau. "Because all my stuff was tech-based, and now you have other worlds and inter-dimensions and this sense of history — which I think is quite cool — that we started with the Stark Expo."


I wonder if Mandarin's rings are going to be alien tech based or regular tech based.

Even though he's Japanese, Ken Wantanabe FTW.

[kedrell]

I'd say tech with at least allusions to their alien origin but with Mandarin pulling it all off like an illusionist/magician type of personality(think Mysterio but on a far grander scale). Thus he really doesn't have any magic/sorcery what so ever(same as it's always been in the comics with the possible exception of all that mystic martial arts/chi stuff....which I'd leave out entirely*) but he still has the flavor of it.

*I mean leave out the chi/mystical part, not the martial arts mastery. That can stay if it fits.

And this is how he keeps himself from being challenged by his underlings in his worldwide Ten Rings terrorist/espionage organization. He's acutely aware that he needs to appear to be more than just a guy with some fancy tech(alien or otherwise) and this allows his to keep his Keyser Soze-esque quasi-mythological status among the underworld.

Now hitting all these character beats will be mighty difficult but I have faith in Favs & co. even if I did like IM2 a little bit less than IM1.

[TheVileOne]

Favreau simply can't be scared of using it in these movies.

Also I think this could be a relevant character considering all of our tensions with China and Korea at the moment.