It's that time of the month again, that's right it's time for another 'what if?' article. Every month I look at a film that was either almost made, that I think should be made or that was just plain bad and in need of a re imagining and think about what if it were made or what if it were good. No film fits the criteria of the latter as much as Iron Man 3, the most recent standalone outing for Marvel's fan favourite hero that kick started phase 2 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The film promised to be darker in tone that previous films in the Iron Man franchise, especially due to the introduction of Ben Kingsley's Mandarin character, the arch nemesis of Iron Man in the comics. However, the result was a disappointing entry to the MCU that offered the same tired formula as previous entries, but what made it so bad? Well to start, the Mandarin was revealed to be no more than a drugged up actor playing the fictitious terrorist leader under the influence of Guy Pearce's Aldrich Killian. Again, a plot that involved Iron Man fighting a rival industrialist who was easily disposed of by the films end. Up until that plot twist I was quite enjoying the film, it was somewhat darker while retaining Tony Stark's (Robert Downey Jr.) signature humour and until that dreadful revelation it looked promising. So here is how I would have done things.
The First Act
The first act remains essentially the same, Tony suffers PTSD after the events of Avengers Assemble, his bodyguard Happy (John Favreau) is put into hospital after an encounter with an extremis soldier and the Mandarin is sending extremis soldiers to terrorise US. However, there would be several changes in this version, first of all Rhodey (Don Cheadle) becomes the Iron Patriot earlier on in the film (this will come into play later) who is fighting in the Middle East against the Ten Rings terrorist organisation. Secondly, Aldrich Killian would only have a minor role similar to the comics where he commits suicide near the beginning leaving Dr. Maya Hansen (Rebecca Hall) in charge of his company. Finally, there would be scenes involving the Mandarin himself, not just the video messages he sends but scenes that focus on him and give him more depth. They would involve him meditating and doing other things like that in an attempt to unlock the power of the ten rings which he possesses. In this version, the terrorist leader believes that if he can unlock their power he will become invincible. Also the opening scene would be one of Tony talking to Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo) similar to the post credits scene of the actual film. Then it more or less carries on the way the film does, Tony calls out the Mandarin resulting in an attack on his house leaving him stranded in some small town in the middle of nowhere.
The Second Act
For Tony, this would essentially go the same way as it does in the film. He meets Harley (Ty Simpkins), fends off the two extremis soldiers and eventually rebuilds his armor and finds the Mandarins location. Meanwhile Pepper teams up with Maya Hansen trying to find Tony while at the same time she worries over the disappearance of Rhodey who she has not been able to contact. Eventually Maya reveals herself to be working for the Mandarin and sedates Pepper. Tony then discovers that the Mandarin is hiding out in Miami and flies there, entering the mansion in a similar manner to the actual film. Once inside however, he confronts Hansen who teases him over the fact that she has Pepper, Tony demands that she tell him where she is but Maya is then shot by the Mandarin who then does the same to Tony. Stark regains consciousness and the Mandarin goes on a monologue about how he hates America and all that stuff he usually talks about in the film, he then reveals Rhodey who is chained to the wall. He forces Tony to watch as he tortures Rhodey which emphasises how relentless he really is. He eventually stops, sparing Rhodeys life before telling Tony that he will only become more powerful. Tony somehow manages to escape and rescue Rhodey however the mansion is crawling with extremis soldiers, Tony manages to call in his armor from home and uses it to escape along with Rhodey, however Pepper is nowhere to be found.
The Third Act
The third act begins in a similar fashion to the actual film, Tony fends off extremis soldiers aboard air force 1 only this time he saves the president and they fly off to his secret bunker for protection. Meanwhile the Mandarin's scientists have injected Pepper Potts with extremis while he meditates. After they complete the procedure, one of them goes to tell the Mandarin who opens his eyes, they are glowing. He then says that he has accessed the power of the rings before disintegrating the scientist using one of the ten rings. This version of the films climax would take place at the presidents bunker, Tony and Rhodey are tasked with fending off the extremis soldiers, They are both weak due to Tony's gunshot wound and Rhodey's wounds from being tortured, Tony then decides to call in his large arsenal of armors like in the actual film and manages to take out the extremis soldiers leaving only one remaining, Pepper. Tony is shocked to see her like this and tries to save her however like in the actual film she falls to her apparent death. Iron Man then confronts the Mandarin who has achieved the power of the ten rings, he taunts Stark, Stark taunts him back and it is an intense and emotional confrontation. Tony however is no match for the rings and although he puts up a good fight, he cannot defeat the Mandarin. As the villain prepares to strike down Stark, he is taken by surprise by Pepper who finishes him off, leaving him in a comatose state. After that the film ends more or less the way the actual film does, Pepper is cured, Tony gets shrapnel out of his chest, Happy recovers etc. The ten rings are seen being taken to a S.H.I.E.L.D. H.Q. and the final shot is that of the comatose Mandarin held up in a medical wing of a maximum security cell. The post credits scene would then hint at HYDRA making a return.
It's not perfect but I think it fixes the whole Mandarin flaw from the film and does not treat him like a disposable villain, it leaves him there waiting to recover and seek his revenge on Iron Man. I also included the ten rings as I think it works considering Tony's recent encounter with the extra terrestrial. Also, if this was the actual film it would have more AC DC on the soundtrack, something it lacked in comparison to the other films. So that's my take on how the film should have went which leaves us at the end of another 'what if?' segment. In my next post I will be looking back at the series Masters of Horror and also there will soon be another fortnightly post which I will be starting so stay tuned for that!
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