The new theatrical trailer is out for "Iron Man 3" and some of the buzz is coming from the political undertones of the scenes.
The trailer opens with a newly-elected president promising to bring down "The Mandarin," the world's latest supervillain threat--- right before Air Force One is bombed and government officials end up falling from the sky.
Tony Stark, the self-appointed defender of justice as "Iron Man," is a weapons contractor always under the glaring scrutiny of the federal government --- particularly military leaders jealous of his ultra-cool body armor. And while the explosion of Air Force One in "Iron Man 3" is a different species entirely from the three movies depicting government coups and paramilitary overthrows ( "White House Down," "G.I. Joe: Retaliation" and "Olympus Has Fallen"), a plot based on vengeance against a globally-known terrorist who attacks American power may be a clue of the new film's nationalistic, if not patriotic, themes.
Marvel and Disney teased the trailer with an 18-second video last weekend, showing a distressed Pepper Potts, played by Gwyneth Paltrow, an updated version of the Iron Man suit and a shot of The Mandarin, played by Sir Ben Kingsly --- even if it only was the back of his head.
The full trailer explores that state of chaos more, but zeroes in on Iron Man's fall at the hands of the Mandarin.
"Some people call me a terrorist," Kingsley says as The Mandarin. "I consider myself a teacher. Lesson number one: heroes. There is no such thing."
The full full plot synopsis for "Iron Man 3" released by Disney follows:
"Marvel Studios' 'Iron Man 3' pits brash-but-brilliant industrialist Tony Stark/Iron Man against an enemy whose reach knows no bounds. When Stark finds his personal world destroyed at his enemy's hands, he embarks on a harrowing quest to find those responsible. This journey, at every turn, will test his mettle. With his back against the wall, Stark is left to survive by his own devices, relying on his ingenuity and instincts to protect those closest to him. As he fights his way back, Stark discovers the answer to the question that has secretly haunted him: does the man make the suit or does the suit make the man?"
Starring Robert Downey Jr., Paltrow, Kingsley, Don Cheadle, Guy Pearce, Rebecca Hall and Jon Favreau, and directed by Shane Black, "Iron Man 3" in on track to blast into theaters May 3, 2013.