As we watch the lifestyle story of Iron Man/Tony Stark we also see scenes of The Mandarin and his rise. Though they never make contact in this movie The Mandarin's rise, aside for his lust for power, would present itself as the struggle the audience "would get behind", almost akin to Batman Begins whereas the behavior of Stark is humorous, despite his true heroics. It's hard to explain but, no doubt He is the clear hero and Mandarin the villain shown through personality not struggle to become.
Anyway. the movie starts as Stark is captured same as the comics, only this time by Hydra, to make weapons in order for them to take down SHEILD. After he gets away, ala the comics, HYDRA contacts his American business rival, Justin Hammer, while SHEILD contacts him. Hammer has his own plans as well. He is in possession of Thor's hammer, which, akin to Excalibur, has not been removed from its pile of stone in a long, long time. He is assisted, as a side plot, by a scientist, in exploring a way to get the hammer, and thus, it's power.
HYDRA pays Russia for the release of 2 of it's prisoners in order for them to become wearers of the suits Hammer creates. If they can successfully take out Iron Man, HYDRA knows they have the tech edge over SHEILD
Stark, never wants his armor to be used as an agent of war, only as a method to prevent war, but we know how that doesn't work.
Black Widow, a Russian double agent for America works with SHEILD (aka Fury) and Stark to stop Hammer and HYDRA (aka Baron Von Strucker) however, she is not fully trusted by Stark.
The Russians don the Titanium Man and Crimson Dynamo armor and, in the end, are locked away by SHEILD
By movies end. Mandarin senses the tech power of Iron Man and makes his way to America and the scientist is revealed, in secret, as Loki.
***** attached to the DVD, once released from theatres, is a Thor animated movie detailing his battles in Asgard alongside his devious brother Loki, who eventually stabs him in the back and is the Thor is cast into Midgard/Earth by Odin (to reflect upon himself) in 1933 as a baby(a major plot point revealed in 1996 Captain America). A voice cast is not the focus as "Hollywood names" are unimportant, however, the voice and likeness of Loki would be Johnny Depp and that of Thor would be Viggo Mortensen. Loki would be shown as a contant interference in the lives of humans throughout time. Oh, and most importantly Gods don't wear tights. I like a more Nordic look with some comic style
Dennis Quaid (age 41) as Tony Stark
The Big Easy; Wyatt Earp
I looked as so many different people ranging from upper 30's to low 40's. They all shared the same qualities. Acting, looks, attitude and likeabilty. He was the best of the choices. He slowly worsens with drinking as the movie progresses, stressed his legacy is that of a man whose inventions led to wars
Diane Lane (30) as Pepper Potts
The Outsiders; Chaplin
Between her and Julianne Moore but Lane is more endearing to me. I like her slightly younger so people would assume she's around just for her looks but Stark puts EVERYTHING on her and she is more than capable, yet, you can see the stress in her eyes
David Keith (41) as Happy Hogan
An Officer and a Gentleman; Major League 2
I can't put my finger on it but he would be perfect as this supporting character
Denzel Washington (41) as James Rhodes
Glory; Malcom X
He does not yet become War Machine. I wanted a man who's aged and high rank. He's known Stark for a long time and is kind of angry that Stark pretty much bought him out of the military as his personal pilot. He sees himself as Stark's guardian. He, Pepper, and Hogan share that connection
Alan Alda (59) as Justin Hammer
The Seduction of Joe Tynan; M*A*S*H*
I wanted old but not decrepit and Alda is a fantastic actor that never received his due. I wanted older but he was too perfect.
James Hong (66) as Mandarin
Big Trouble in Little China; Wayne's World 2
He IS Mandarin. My only choice
Ralph Fiennes (34) as Baron Von Strucker
Shindler's List; Quiz Show
I wanted a younger actor for a specific reason, my Captain America cast will show why. Fiennes can play anything and with a shaved head could be a very menacing HYDRA commander.
Beringer as Fury
reference my other What If's...? for an expalnation
Winonna Ryder (25) as Black Widow
Reality Bites; Dracula
Of all of my fancasts for the What If? series this is the 1 I'm least happy with. She is an amazing actress but not the fit I was hoping for with Widow
Elias Koteas (34) as Titanium Man
TMNT; Prophecy
Titanium Man would be 1 of 2 Russian scientists locked away. Commissioned by HYDRA and agreed upon by Russia the 2 men would be released to Baron Strucker and Hammer if they were willing to build and wear armor that would destroy Iron Man.
I chose Koteas because of the movie Fallen even though at this time it hadn't come out yet. Still, if you watch Prophecy his acting is unbelievable, albeit as the good guy.
David Morse (42) as Crimson Dynamo
The Good Son; 12 Monkeys
The man stands at 6'4" and is as cold and creepy as they come
Johnny Depp (32) Loki/ Dr. Stanley Kirby **nod and a wink**
Platoon; Don Juan DeMarco
Loki is at the heart of most mischief. We only see a bit of it here though.
Depp has the acting chops to rest a franchise on, no doubt. I also like his gangly appearance as a way to offset Viggo's power. I have put a lot of thought into how Loki and Thor are worked into the cinematic history of Marvel...