Following reports that Chinese actor-singer Andy Lau had landed a Scientist role in Marvel Studios' next outing post-
The Avengers,
Iron Man 3, Hong-Kong-based newspaper
Apple Daily has confirmed the role, in addition to more production details. Praising the amount of screen time Andy will supposedly have, the report adds that Chinese actresses Fan Bingbing and Yang Mi are joining the Shane Black-directed threequel as as Andy’s wife and assistant respectively. What's rather more interesting in the report (transcribed via AndyLauSounds) says:
The film will have location shooting in Beijing and Shanghai, it will narrates that the daughter of Robert Downey Jr.’s friend was kidnapped and brought to China, in order to save his friend’s daughter, he flew over from America to China to seek help from Andy to strengthen his abilities to fight The Mandarin. You will see Iron Man fly over The Great Wall of China, National Palace Museum & other landmarks in Shanghai May 2013
Although veteran actor Ben Kinglsey's role has yet to be disclosed, the report lists The Mandarin. Suggesting why the villain won't be of Chinese descent, a la his source material, the reports explains:
In order not to hurt the feelings of Western and Chinese audience, the story will not focus so much on the villain’s background as not to display the Chinese as evil. [The production] had already got approval from the State Administration of Radio Film and Television in order to be shot, all contents that harms Chinese image had been “removed”, this explains why the villain will be a bit different from the original comic
(Pictured from left to right: Andy Lau, Fan Bingbing, Yang Mi)
Described as a “technological crisis thriller,″ set in the world of international war, arms & terror, Marvel Studios' “Iron Man 3″ stars Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, Guy Pearce, Rebecca Hall, Andy Lau, Ashley Hamilton, James Badge Dale, with Sir Ben Kingsley and Jon Favreau. Shane Black (“Kiss Kiss Bang Bang”) takes over directorial duties from Jon Favreau, who helmed the first two “Iron Man” films. Principal photography will occur primarily in North Carolina and China. And “Iron Man 3″ is set for release in May 3, 2013.