No Mandarin in “Iron Man 3” yet. But, there will be Nanobots.

Variety has reported veteran actor Ben Kinglsey is in negotiations to play the villain in the upcoming comic book movie “Iron Man 3.”

The site also reported Kingsley will not play Tony Stark’s archenemy Mandarin, but a villain who seeks to spread the virus through nanobot technology. It was reported by Latino-Review last month about the nanobots. Yes, score one for the good guys here.

As reported last month, “Iron Man 3” will be loosely based on the Warren Ellis’ “Extremis” comic book series that was issued in 2006. The storyline influenced the first “Iron Man” movie by introducing the origin story and nanotechnology.

Kingsley recently starred in Martin Scorsese-directed “Hugo” and will be appearing in the upcoming comedy “The Dictator.”

Director Shane Black takes over the helm from the previous “Iron Man” film director Jon Favreau. Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle and Scarlett Johansson are all set to return for the third film of the franchise.

Production will begin in North Carolina later next month.

As for Mandarin and Fing Fang Foom characters—don’t count them out yet. There’s always room for more bad guys in comic book films.

Source: Variety, Latino-Review