The Marvel Universe Phase 2 Begins as the Mandarin Strikes!

Behold our first glimpse at the post-Avengers Marvel Movie Universe!

How spectacular is that trailer?

It’s visually gorgeous, and it promises a dark, things-go-really-wrong-for-our-hero vibe.  Written and directed by Shane Black (go watch his magnificent film Kiss Kiss Bang Bang starring, oh, what a coincidence, Robert Downey Jr., if you want proof of his ginormous talents) I’m sure there will still be a lot of humor in this film, but I love that the trailer teases us with a grim tone.

And at last, after being deliciously teased in the first Iron Man film (and then sadly ignored in Iron Man 2), we’re getting to see Iron Man’s quintessential villain, the Mandarin, on screen!  And played by Sir Ben Kingsley, no less.  Phenomenal.

After the greatness of The Avengers (click here for my review), the challenge of the next Marvel movie is to not feel like a letdown.  A good trailer isn’t proof of anything (exhibit A: Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace) but I am very, very excited for April.