Favreau's Mandarin Choices Revealed.
 

"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, 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".

Re: Favreau's Mandarin Choices Revealed.
 

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.

Re: Favreau's Mandarin Choices Revealed.
 

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

Re: Favreau's Mandarin Choices Revealed.
 

Rain from Ninja Assassin? NO Favreau, NO.

Chow Yun Fat please.

Re: Favreau's Mandarin Choices Revealed.
 

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.

Re: Favreau's Mandarin Choices Revealed.
 

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:

Re: Favreau's Mandarin Choices Revealed.
 

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

Re: Favreau's Mandarin Choices Revealed.
 

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.

Re: Favreau's Mandarin Choices Revealed.
 

Donnie Yen grew up in Boston so he speaks english.

Re: Favreau's Mandarin Choices Revealed.
 

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

Re: Favreau's Mandarin Choices Revealed.
 

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

Re: Favreau's Mandarin Choices Revealed.
 

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/d45...95/Donnie1.jpg
http://www.zshare.net/image/76008095fe789a59/


http://screencrave.frsucrave.netdna-...1-09-56-14.jpg

Re: Favreau's Mandarin Choices Revealed.
 

Donnie Yen is my choice!

Re: Favreau's Mandarin Choices Revealed.
 

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.

Re: Favreau's Mandarin Choices Revealed.
 

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://img15.imageshack.us/img15/389...ith20donni.jpg

Re: Favreau's Mandarin Choices Revealed.
 

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?

Re: Favreau's Mandarin Choices Revealed.
 

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

Re: Favreau's Mandarin Choices Revealed.
 

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.

Re: Favreau's Mandarin Choices Revealed.
 

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.

Re: Favreau's Mandarin Choices Revealed.
 

Yes ! Donnie Yen :up:

Re: Favreau's Mandarin Choices Revealed.
 

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.

Re: Favreau's Mandarin Choices Revealed.
 

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

Re: Favreau's Mandarin Choices Revealed.
 

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

Re: Favreau's Mandarin Choices Revealed.
 

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

Re: Favreau's Mandarin Choices Revealed.
 

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