We see bits of Guy Pearce in a suit (hinting that he's perhaps a baddie with a corporate bent) and a mysterious action shot of Iron Patriot, along with a video conferencing tête-à-tête between Jon Favreau's Happy Hogan and Stark -- solidifying their quippy relationship (as well as Favreau's transition from behind the camera). The major action sequence follows a voiceover that ominously states, "Heroes -- there is no such thing." In it, we see multiple helicopters approach Stark's oceanfront Malibu mansion, opening fire and sending an armored-up Stark and Pepper Potts flying backwards in an explosion. Stark's suits are destroyed one by one, as he's catapulted into the ocean.

The money shot involves the reveal of the film's villain -- confirmed officially to be Ben Kinsley as The Mandarin. Though some prior moments hinted at his existence (a few glimpses of a samurai sword are interspersed throughout the footage), the end sequence makes it clear who the main antagonist of this movie is. Kingsley's introduction involves a shot from behind as he removes the hood of his cape, revealing a mostly-bald head with a samurai-style circular patch of dark hair in the middle, a long train of hair protruding from it. Slowly revealed from the front, the camera trains along his hand (rings on every finger), pulling out to show The Mandarin, face-on, seated and sporting a full, long, bushy, dark beard. Reading into his stature alone, Kingsley looks to embody the villain with appropriate menace and confidence.


Kevin Feige and Downey Jr. interact on stage during the IM3 panel
When the lights came up, Jon Favreau (acting full time as Happy Hogan in "Iron Man 3"), Don Cheadle (James Rhodes/War Machine) and director Shane Black entered to a roaring welcome from the crowd -- some of whom camped out overnight to guarantee entrance to the event.

Black gave a status update on the film, saying, "We're having fun -- we're halfway done." Finally able to speak openly about Kingsley, he said, "Sir Ben's lovely and he's gonna be absolutely terrific. He came up to me and he says, 'You know, the most lovely thing happened in my hotel room the other night with my voice. I'm not going to tell you about it now, but I'm going to show you later.' It's one of those things that's evolving, watching this guy perform. This guy is The Mandarin."