Ben Kingsley is in final discussions to play a villain character in the upcoming ‘Iron Man 3,’ but he won’t be playing original Tony Stark archenemy Mandarin, Variety is reporting. Marvel has declined to confirm who the Academy Award-winning actor will play. But he won’t appear as the wealthy Chinese scientist and martial arts expert, who backed the warlord who imprisoned Stark, and is indirectly responsible for the creation of Iron Man.

Kingsley is reportedly playing a character who had a role in the spread of a nanobot virus. The second ‘Iron Man’ sequel will be loosely based on Warren Ellis’ six-issue ‘Extremis’ comic book series first published in 2005. The series introduced nanotechnology to Stark’s technologies. The arc, which also influenced the original ‘Iron Man’ film, introduced a new origin story and focused on the nanotechnology.

‘Iron Man 3’ will be directed by Shane Black, and is expected to begin filming next month. Not many details have been released about the second sequel in the hit Marvel film series. However, it’s been confirmed that Robert Downey, Jr. will reprise his title role, Scarlett Johanssn will play Black Widow again, Gwyneth Paltrow will once again portray Pepper Potts and Don Cheadle will appear as Lt. Col. James ‘Rhodey’ Rhodes. ‘Iron Man 3’ will hit theaters on May 3, 2013.

Written by: Karen Benardello