Iron Man 2 left a bit of a sour taste in our collective mouth — speaking in terms of Tony Stark’s solo adventures, that is — but you and I would be fools to discount the casting game on Iron Man 3. Ben Kingsley, Guy Pearce, and Jessica Chastain are a trio I could get excited for any which way, but add in the only remaining role where I can tolerate a smug Robert Downey Jr., the scripting of Shane Black, some high-flying action, and I’m pretty game.

And while this next piece of casting won’t ring the same bells as those three other names, it should only add to the big prospects at work here. NeonPunch (via Twitch) reports that Andy Lau (Infernal Affairs) is right on the cusp of grabbing a big role in the superhero picture, some financial and schedule adjustments notwithstanding. You can probably imagine that specifics on his prospective character are thin at the moment, though NeonPunch has heard that Lau will play “an old friend of Tony Stark’s that represents China’s technology sector – and will use China’s armored heroes to help Iron Man defeat ‘The Mandarin’ who is seen as a terrorist against both the US and China.”

(Initially, China coming on as co-producer led many to think The Mandarin — a Chinese character who might be seen as a slightly negative depiction — wouldn’t be around. If he faces off against both countries, however… well, you could see why it’s not such a problem.)

The role may not require Lau to give the kind of effort that made him an international star in the first place, but I won’t raise my hands in objection, either. With this lineup, Iron Man 3 might actually be enough to help us all forget Mickey Rourke‘s Russian accent.

Are you hopeful Lau will come on board Iron Man 3?