Shane Black And Cast Characterize Roles In IRON MAN 3
Empire magazine's latest issue features comments from principal Iron Man 3 cast members Sir Ben Kingsley, Gwyneth Paltrow and Don Cheadle about their roles + characterizations from the director!
Played by Sir Ben Kingsley, The Mandarin is described as a Colonel uber-terrorist; or as Kingsley puts it, "A pastiche of American iconography. It's there to confuse - you don't know what's coming next. Shane allowed me to push the boundaries of the role so that I'm allow to go a bit bonkers."
The Mandarin's actions in Iron Man 3, and the military's inability to help during The Avengers' alien attack, prompts the President of the United States, who Empire confirms is played William Sadler, to give James "Rhodey" Rhodes' War Machine a new red, white and blue paint job. Enters Iron Patriot: a name that, according to Don Cheadle, doesn't bode well with Tony Stark. "The name makes as much sense as Iron Man," Cheadle laughed. "It's a new and interesting look. I don't know how, personally, I'd feel about being draped in the flag, but Rhodey doesn't care what the paint job is like. He just wants it to do what it does."
The Iron Patriot, however, is no help when one of Stark's other close friends gets attacked by The Mandarin, forcing Tony out of hiding. Apparently, Stark instantly "issues a 'come and have a go if you think you're hard enough' challenge to The Mandarin" on live television. "Robert's portrayal of Tony is ultimately the American cowboy who defies authority, thinks for himself and is fiercely individualistic," adds director Shane Black. "That's an America we like to believe in, which is why The Mandarin, who hates America, is a good match for Tony in this movie." Be sure to pick up the Empire mag' for more!
Marvel Studios’ “Iron Man 3” pits brash-but-brilliant industrialist Tony Stark/Iron Man against an enemy whose reach knows no bounds. When Stark finds his personal world destroyed at his enemy’s hands, he embarks on a harrowing quest to find those responsible. This journey, at every turn, will test his mettle. With his back against the wall, Stark is left to survive by his own devices, relying on his ingenuity and instincts to protect those closest to him. As he fights his way back, Stark discovers the answer to the question that has secretly haunted him: does the man make the suit or does the suit make the man? Starring Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, Guy Pearce, Rebecca Hall, Stephanie Szostak, James Badge Dale with Jon Favreau and Ben Kingsley, “Iron Man 3” is directed by Shane Black from a screenplay by Drew Pearce & Shane Black and is based on Marvel’s iconic Super Hero Iron Man, who first appeared on the pages of “Tales of Suspense” (#39) in 1963 and had his solo comic book debut with “The Invincible Iron Man” (#1) in May of 1968. “Iron Man 3” is presented by Marvel Studios in association with Paramount Pictures & DMG Entertainment. Marvel Studios’ President Kevin Feige is producing & Jon Favreau, Louis D’Esposito, Stephen Broussard, Victoria Alonso, Alan Fine, Charles Newirth, Stan Lee & Dan Mintz are executive producers. The film hits May 3, 2013, and is distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. Marvel Studios will also release “Thor: The Dark World ” on November 8, 2013; “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” on April 4, 2014; “Guardians of the Galaxy” on August 1, 2014; the sequel to “Marvel's The Avengers” on May 1, 2015; and “Ant-Man” on November 6, 2015!