Sir Ben Kingsley’s portrayal of The Mandarin has been lauded and evinced as the main antagonist of Iron Man 3, but Robert Downey Jr.’s Tony Stark will also deal with Aldrich Killian, played by English-Australian actor Guy Pearce. Beyond the character’s role in the Extremis storyline, which Iron Man 3 is “loosely” based upon, not much is known about Killian’s interpretation in the film. Speaking with French magazine Première, Director Shane Black revealed, “We approached [Pearce] to play one of our villains, and he’s incredibly menacing as this guy who is insanely jealous of Tony Stark. He wants to possess everything Tony has, including his girl…”
Aldrich Killian may not be the only one badgering Tony and Pepper’s relationship. Played by Rebecca Hall, Maya Hansen was associated with Killian in the Extremis arc. “Rebecca is a talented, funny and beautiful actress,” says Black. “We needed someone who could be believable in the role of a scientist, who’s a little in spite of herself, and has a lot of charm. She was perfect. Maya Hansen is an old friend of Tony Stark from the past that resurfaces. This is not strictly a rival for Pepper Potts, but she has a real bond with Tony that goes way back.”
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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!