Fan Casting

Tony Stark has already become Iron Man. While continuing to develop new technology, Tony maintains his relationships with his allies: his assistant Pepper Potts, his best friend and S.H.I.E.L.D. agent James Rhodes, and Ezekiel Stane, the son of Howard Stark's longtime friend Obadiah Stane. Zeke believes his father deserved the C.E.O. position he inherited, but despite his resentment toward Tony, he considers them friends. When a series of highly coordinated attacks strike technologically advanced targets around the world, S.H.I.E.L.D. sends Tony to investigate. The attacks appear specifically designed to draw Iron Man into the conflict. Tony soon encounters the Crimson Dynamo, an advanced armored soldier. Tony is defeated and discovers the armor is eerily similar to his own. Tony travels to Mongolia, where he uncovers a branch of the ancient organization known as the Hand. There he meets their leader, Gene Kahn—the Mandarin—and discovers the truth. Kahn has been studying Tony's technology, using it to enhance his own armor and unlock the full potential of his ten alien Rings. Tony's armor is remotely shut down, leaving him imprisoned. Escaping through the Hand's underground compound, Tony uses his intelligence to disable Crimson Dynamo before making his way back to America. S.H.I.E.L.D. supplies him with a primitive silver suit, forcing Tony to return to his roots. He infiltrates the Hand's stolen Stark facility, battles his own armors, reclaims control of his tech, and dons his classic red-and-gold armor. Tony confronts the Mandarin, whose new gold-and-green armor channels the Rings at unprecedented power. Using his intellect rather than brute force, Tony disables the armor and defeats Kahn. Kahn reveals Justin Hammer supplied the stolen technology, leading to Hammer's arrest. With Kahn imprisoned, Tony begins developing safeguards for all his technology. Kahn is sent to the Raft and as he looks out the barred window of his cell, he sees a bright yellow light.