Iron Man 2 How do you make The Mandarin work for a film?

[Armored Avenger]

I actually thought he would work well as reality based Mandarin...rather some green dude

The Mandarin is not green. And if you are referring to his classic costume, then they can easily change it or give him a suit like his latest appearance in the comics.

 

[Superhero 101]

I would make Mandarin a Chinese Businessman who is intrested in Tony Starks Armor and kinda have that power of the suit in rings or something like that I wouldn't make the Rings mystical but technological

 

[fu manchu]

The Mandarin is not green. And if you are referring to his classic costume, then they can easily change it or give him a suit like his latest appearance in the comics.

i think he's referring to the animated version. see my avatar.

 

[Antonello Blueberry]

^ He also played Seraph in Matrix 2. He is my pick for the Mandarin:

His origin should be that he is trapped in a society that he hates (communist China). He is a statesman or scientist (something important in Chinese system) but he wants to return to the days of pre-communist China, in which his family was part of the noble class. He comes across the rings (just stones at the time) that were unearthed by archaelogists. He does some experiments to discover that these are "solidified energy" or some other more appealing psuedo-scientific term. He spends a great deal of time learning the stones' properties, how to trigger the release of energy, and even how to manipulate the effects (via meditation that allows him to merge his consciousness with the rings' energy fields). He fashions them into rings and is able to weild the power of the rings via fluid martial arts movements.

What instead if he understood after seeing how Chinese people are being exploited by Western industrialist like Tony Stark, who get rich while people in China (and Pakistan, Turkey, Mexico) work for them for a dollar a day, that a Communist world would be a better place where to live?
A place where people aren't forced to leave their houses because they can't pay their mortgages anymore?
And he uses his alien rings and his followers in the world to spread the idea that communism is the way of the future?

 

[Troy_Parker]

i think he's referring to the animated version. see my avatar.

Yeah, But I still think Raza would make a good reality based mandarin...

 

[The Question]

What instead if he understood after seeing how Chinese people are being exploited by Western industrialist like Tony Stark, who get rich while people in China (and Pakistan, Turkey, Mexico) work for them for a dollar a day, that a Communist world would be a better place where to live?
A place where people aren't forced to leave their houses because they can't pay their mortgages anymore?
And he uses his alien rings and his followers in the world to spread the idea that communism is the way of the future?

But that goes against one of the core aspects of the character: He is fiercely anti-communist.

 

[ThePoisonPuppet]

Yeah, But I still think Raza would make a good reality based mandarin...

Raza is clearly an Arab or Persian though. The name Mandarin means something related to China, specifically around Beijing (Where they are very Chinese looking, not like Western China where he might be able to pass) so that doesn't quite work.

The most neutral ground I think would be to make him a Hong Kongese businessman or old Koumintang Nationalist from Taiwan.

 

[Antonello Blueberry]

But that goes against one of the core aspects of the character: He is fiercely anti-communist.

Then the Mandarin is my enemy.

 

[BobJM]

I like the idea that Mandarin uses technology to topple technology in the world. Before Communist China, Mandarin's family was the pinnacle of wealth and power. Communism stripped that away from him and now he opposes anything representative of modernization.

So, seeing Tony Stark as a pioneer of the future and a man who is constantly running interference with the Ten Rings, Mandarin seeks control of IM's technology to use it against the world.

His rings represent his ten individual Ten Rings cells throughout the world (Middle East, China, Russia perhaps, etc. etc.) Perhaps a final showdown between him and Stark, Mandarin can acquire repulsor-esque gauntlets?

 

[TheVileOne]

Here's the thing guys. Ultimately Iron Man has to align with Thor and what not.

So I mean, while I get they probably want to transition everyone into this fantasy world gradually and slowly . . . it's still a fantasy world. So I mean, people are trying very hard to come up with ways to re-write the Mandarin in a realistic manner. Maybe that's not quite as necessary for a future movie.

I mean, once Iron Man starts interacting with Thor, the movies can't contradict each other.

 

[Rich Santoro]

^ I agree with this view. I think that there is still an opportunity to not get too specific on what the rings are, and how they work... Then, as this new Marvel Universe expands with the likes of Thor... and fantasy enters the cannon... Mandarin will fit right in. It may even be good to hold him off until after the Avengers in IM3 to introduce the Mandarin.

The mandarin and the 10 rings org. can be present in the storyline of IM2, but I would like to see some of Justin's Hammer's tech thugs, like Blacklash, Spymaster, Mach1 (rather than the Beetle) leading up to an encounter with Titanium Man. Again, 10 rings and mabe even "Mandarin" could be mentioned explicitly... but he would remain as an ominous, mysterious figure...

 

[Infinity9999x]

Here's the thing guys. Ultimately Iron Man has to align with Thor and what not.

So I mean, while I get they probably want to transition everyone into this fantasy world gradually and slowly . . . it's still a fantasy world. So I mean, people are trying very hard to come up with ways to re-write the Mandarin in a realistic manner. Maybe that's not quite as necessary for a future movie.

I mean, once Iron Man starts interacting with Thor, the movies can't contradict each other.

I agree. TDK has shown us how a very good realistic comic book movie can be made, but I think, after the recent TDK craze, too many people want more "realistic" superhero movies.

The "magical" aspect of comics is something that's very prevalent in the mythos, and I for one would like to see some more comic movies that explore this side of the genre more.

 

[StylishHokie21]

He seems like an interesting villain. I'm sure Favreau will make it work if he is in fact the villain for the sequel.

 

[Figs]

^ I agree with this view. I think that there is still an opportunity to not get too specific on what the rings are, and how they work... Then, as this new Marvel Universe expands with the likes of Thor... and fantasy enters the cannon... Mandarin will fit right in. It may even be good to hold him off until after the Avengers in IM3 to introduce the Mandarin.

The mandarin and the 10 rings org. can be present in the storyline of IM2, but I would like to see some of Justin's Hammer's tech thugs, like Blacklash, Spymaster, Mach1 (rather than the Beetle) leading up to an encounter with Titanium Man. Again, 10 rings and mabe even "Mandarin" could be mentioned explicitly... but he would remain as an ominous, mysterious figure...

What I put in bold.

In that somewhat recent interview with Favreau(the long one) he was mentioning that this is a an idea they are thinking about using. To hint some more if not show him a little at the end of Iron Man 2 and use him in the third for the ending of a trilogy.

I think it would be great if he does this and uses Titanium Man or Crimson Dynamo for the second film.

 

[Rich Santoro]

^ That is sweet... thanks for the update. I do think that is the way to go. I believe that there is an opportunity to delve into some interesting social commentary with the Mandarin and his motivations, that is best served as a final act... not a prelude to the Avengers. The Mandarin's view of the world pertains not so much to power (while recognizing it is necessary... like the the Afgani 10 rings guy who mentioned how Ghengis Khan was able to build the largest empire ever, with the bow), but for the Mandarin it is about will and vision. Power is useless without its wielder... Total control is the only means to provide "harmony'... Tony then adds, but what about the wielder's ambition??? Greed??? Arogance??? Lust for dominance??? I know it... it was me once... and now it's you.

It has always comes to an end... Alexander, Attila, Napoleon, Hitler... They all ended in ruin. And now, I won't let people get hurt while you fall down that same path to destruction.

 

[jokerface89]

I agree. TDK has shown us how a very good realistic comic book movie can be made, but I think, after the recent TDK craze, too many people want more "realistic" superhero movies.

The "magical" aspect of comics is something that's very prevalent in the mythos, and I for one would like to see some more comic movies that explore this side of the genre more.

I'm glad to see I'm not the only one that thinks that.

 

[Hectorminator]

What I put in bold.

In that somewhat recent interview with Favreau(the long one) he was mentioning that this is a an idea they are thinking about using. To hint some more if not show him a little at the end of Iron Man 2 and use him in the third for the ending of a trilogy.

I think it would be great if he does this and uses Titanium Man or Crimson Dynamo for the second film.

Yes.

But instead of JUST Titanium Man OR Crimson Dynamo, have Justin Hammer fund a bunch of Iron Man Tech designs that get out, so he has a personal army to protect him when he tries to take over Stark Industries. Just like in Demon in a Bottle. Then you have Tony hit rock bottom and Rhodes has to take over/help out his best friend.

Side-note: I was just thinking this the other day, how bad-ass would it be if the Ten Rings was a division of Hydra? Then SHIELD would have a reason to have a huge presence and request Stark builds them a helicarrier.

I just want to see a helicarrier.

 

[Rich Santoro]

^ I don't think that Ten Rings needs to be with HYDRA... There can be HYDRA, and Ten Rings (Mandarin's private army), AIM. Hammer could be dealing with all or some of these groups, as to become the new weapons provider... putting him in the middle of the action. He sees the success of Ironman (as does the whole world really) and is trying to move his R&D in that direction... coming up with a new power system (not as good as the Arc reactor, but good)... leading to fancy non-projectile energy weapons, flight suits, battle gear, etc... SHIELD is monitoring all...

Now, as has been mentioned, so much is happenning that Tony is bottoming out from the stress... He is trying to track and destroy his illegally sold weapon systems (actually shining a light on these other subversive groups named above), his business in losing global sales because he is shifting to defensive weapons systems, surveilance technology, flight control tech, power technology, etc... his private life is in the tank because he came out as Ironman and the celebrity industialist is not the focus of attention anymore... he is hounded about being Ironman... even targetted because of it. He is starting to lose it... drinking way too much, falling to pieces.

Fury sees this... He proposes to Tony that SHIELD and Stark Industries create an exclusive contract for Stark to provide new age weapons, high tech gear for SHIELD agents, and design the Hellicarrier so they can "uncouple" their global operations from terrestial constraints. This will give Stark new contracts to raise capitol for the "redirect" of his company, and SHIELD agrees to make Ironman's missions, tracking Stark's weapon systems, a new directive for SHIELD operations (this puts more agents in the field, which could lead to new recruits down the road (see Hawkeye, Black Widow, etc).

This new directive amps up the pursuit of the Mandarin as Ironman and SHIELD work their way through Ten Rings affilates (terrorists, guerillas, insurgents, etc).

 

[CaptainClown]

Each ring can utilize a different type of energy source manderin puts them into some gauntlets which channels that power into blasts.

 

[FaT_tONle]

SO I just read the complete Favreau interview... seems like they may very well hold off Mandarin for IM3... I didn't even realize the Mummy 3 featured essentially a Mandarin and Fing Fang Foom until Favrea brought it up... maybe it's best to save him. I have no doubt Mandarin will definitely have a presence in the next one... but I am not sure he will be the featured baddie.

 

[Hectorminator]

^ I don't think that Ten Rings needs to be with HYDRA... There can be HYDRA, and Ten Rings (Mandarin's private army), AIM. Hammer could be dealing with all or some of these groups, as to become the new weapons provider... putting him in the middle of the action...

...his business in losing global sales because he is shifting to defensive weapons systems, surveilance technology, flight control tech, power technology, etc... He is starting to lose it... drinking way too much, falling to pieces.

Fury sees this... He proposes to Tony that SHIELD and Stark Industries create an exclusive contract for Stark to provide new age weapons, high tech gear for SHIELD agents, and design the Hellicarrier so they can "uncouple" their global operations from terrestial constraints. This will give Stark new contracts to raise capitol for the "redirect" of his company, and SHIELD agrees to make Ironman's missions, tracking Stark's weapon systems, a new directive for SHIELD operations (this puts more agents in the field, which could lead to new recruits down the road (see Hawkeye, Black Widow, etc).

I like this. It would definitely be cool to see Black Widow OR Hawkeye in Iron Man II. They totally fit in that world.

And don't forget, we have to see the obvious Thor/Dr. Don Blake cameo in either an emergency room or AA meeting. Or maybe just a pub.

 

[Rich Santoro]

^ I must admit... the above concept is a amalgam of some of my ideas, and something that others have suggested (which I think are very good ideas). Just don't wan to take full credit (alas I did not retain the IDs of those whose ideas I borrowed from).

But getting cameos of Black Widow and Hawkeye is something that I have been mentioning for a while. I like how future concepts, plots and content are built by small pieces in each progressive film.

 

[Chris B]

SO I just read the complete Favreau interview... seems like they may very well hold off Mandarin for IM3... I didn't even realize the Mummy 3 featured essentially a Mandarin and Fing Fang Foom until Favrea brought it up... maybe it's best to save him. I have no doubt Mandarin will definitely have a presence in the next one... but I am not sure he will be the featured baddie.

Which leads to the question, who will be the main villain in IM2? I would say Count Nefaria, but I'm not sure if I can see Favreau going the route. Maybe Justin Hammer?

 

[Hectorminator]

Which leads to the question, who will be the main villain in IM2? I would say Count Nefaria, but I'm not sure if I can see Favreau going the route. Maybe Justin Hammer?

I doubt it will be Count Nefaria. That's kind of a long-shot to me.

Most likely Justin Hammer, 'cause he's the business enemy who can fund an army of lesser Iron Man villains like Crimson Dynamo, Titanium Man, etc.

 

[thorstone]

Favreau could treat him as a mutant or as in possession of alien technology, but I found it most interestng the way they treated the ten rings in the form of allusion as a real world organization which acts as a foil to S.H.I.E.L.D.

I am confident Favreau will not treat this character as supernatural, and judging from the recent interview on Iron Man's sequels, Thor will not be supernatural either.