After giving fans a teaser trailer to Iron Man 3 yesterday as part of Facebook promotion, Marvel Studios has just released a full-length trailer, rife with omens of the devastation that will befall Tony Stark when the film launches on May 3, 2013.
"I've got a lot of apologies to make," says Stark as he wades into a swarm of reporters.
"Nothing's been the same since New York," he adds, reflecting on the events that took place during The Avengers.
The trailer has a noticeably more somber tone than previous Iron Man films, lining up with comments by the cast that the third installment of Iron Man's adventure would feature a darker storyline.
Tony Stark's internal conflict appears to be much more pronounced in Iron Man 3, calling into question the billionaire philanthropist's sanity.
"I can't sleep, and when I do I have nightmares."
As the trailer ramps up, Tony's armor is shown operating on its own, presumably remotely controlled by the Mandarin or another character. The teaser then cuts to a scene showing the destruction of Stark's past Iron Man armor sets, and a captive Petter Pots.
The Mandarin, the main villain of Iron Man 3, narrates scenes that highlight the destruction of Stark's seaside mansion.
His malevolent voice pronounces: "Ladies, children, sheep. Some people call me a terrorist. I consider myself a teacher. Lesson number 1, heroes: there is no such thing."
Interestingly, the Madarin's observation about heroes echoes Tony Stark's sentiments in The Avengers, during which he refused to identify himself as an old-fashioned "hero."
Iron Man 3 is directed by Shane Black and stars Robert Downey Jr. Guy Pearce, Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, and Ben KIngsley