Though his evil-sounding voice in the trailers below isn't oriental in the slightest, here The Mandarin's get-up and, well, sense of feng shui definitely has an Eastern vibe. Note the elaborately trimmed coat and liberal use of joss sticks, as well as the Chinese Dragons both on the walls and and standing proudly on the floor.
As for the camo gear and army boots, that's probably something to do with him being the leader of an international terrorist organisation and as such, believing in a certain amount of discipline. Then there's a Captain America-like combat helmet with holes in it, which is probably just there to look intimidating (and hold incense, naturally).
Get a better look at the poster above thanks to this uncropped original art below. Top tip: there's something under his boot...
Refresh yourself with the kind of thing The Mandarin is wont to do - such as blowing up mansions with rocket-firing helicopters - by checking out both the Iron Man 3 Super Bowl spot...
...as well as the full trailer. He's the guy with the Bane-worthy voice and awesome shades, by the way.
Empire has a lot more Iron Man 3 goodness on the way in the not too distant future, so be sure to check back regularly in advance of the film's UK (April 26) and US (May 3) release dates.
I know the rings are key, and I'm really glad that they're including them and not just lifting Mandarin's name but nothing more. However, ten rings was always going to look a little odd, and the other elements of the design just don't create an impression of "serious villain" to me. It's OK in the comics where the man in the robe wearing rings is meant to look like just another version of Fu Manchu. But they've tried to mix that with realism and I think the overall mix just doesn't work, at lea More
@ JS to many rings??? that's a key element of mandarin. There was some people who thought they would choice to leave them out. I'm gald they are making an appearance, to what extent the focus will be on his rings that is left to be seen More
Posted by Gazzabrook at 17:08 on 22 February 2013 | Report This Post
Not sure...
Lots of rings, a collection of men's necklaces, an environment full of "incense" and a man lounging back wearing a dressing gown. Looks like a blinged up dealer in his den. The sunglasses really, really don't help.
Pretty sure the combat helmet with holes in has an "N" on the side, so is probably meant to be a UN peacekeeper's blue helmet. More
I have a really good feeling about this movie. Hope I'm not proven wrong. Either way, Sir Ben is sublime in everything, so that's one thing that's certain about the movie already. More
Posted by Mr Gittes at 10:48 on 22 February 2013 | Report This Post
Sweet mother of Jesus
Already my favorite villain of the marvel cinematic universe - the only one that could top him is Thanos More
Posted by Gazzabrook at 10:36 on 22 February 2013 | Report This Post
Tim
Is that Iron Man's mask under his foot in the uncropped version? Interesting. More
Posted by talcum.daddy at 10:30 on 22 February 2013 | Report This Post
