It is being reported here in Hong Kong that Chinese superstar Andy Lau is in final negotiations to take a role in Shane Black's upcoming superhero sequel Iron Man 3. Popular tech & style blog NeonPunch.com is reporting that they have a very reliable source within Disney who is telling them that the film's Chinese backers, Walt Disney China and DMG Entertainment, are keen to get a big Chinese name attched to the project, and apparently the man they want is Andy Lau.
Now, before everyone screams "The Mandarin", it is extremely unlikely that the film's producers would get behind a plot whose central villain was a Chinese character, especially one as flagrantly racist as The Mandarin. Word is that Lau (or whoever finally lands the role) would play a good guy - a Chinese scientist who comes to the aid of his old buddy Tony Stark (Robert Downey, Jr.) by providing him with some new tech that will help him battle Ben Kingsley's villain, but more importantly Aldrich Killian (Guy Pearce) and his Extremis biotechnology.
Right now it is apparently just a matter of working out the schedules and agreeing on an amount of cash, but there is no denying that the addition of someone like Andy Lau in a sizeable role would be a huge boost for the film's commercial chances in China and across Asia. It has already been announced that Iron Man 3 will be shooting on location in China (including Hong Kong and Shanghai) later this summer, working towards a 3 May 2013 release date. Hopefully we will be hearing an official announcement very soon.