Iron Man 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

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

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

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

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

Ken Watanabe

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

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]

Russell Wong




Daniel Dae Kim

Ken Watanabe

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

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

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

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.

 

[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?

 

[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?
Just Kidding, that dude from Die another day would be a good choice

 

[Gambit_Fan]

i think Ken Watanabe would be a good choice