Li Mei is a major antagonist of the Invincible Iron man film. In the film she is last descendant of the Mandarin and Iron Man's love interest.
She was voiced by Gwendoline Yeo notable for playing Master Mold in Wolverine and the X-men, Lady Shiva
History[]
Li Mei's father is very disappointed in her child's existence.
Before being born, her father was descant of Mandarian's and was assured that the unborn child would be a male and take the mantle to raise the Mandarian from the dead, however Lei Mei was born a female. Her birth brought a generational shame to her father, thinking a woman cannot be capable for such a task, declaring that she was a mistake and will have to become the Mandarian, regardless, Li jests, not wanting this life, and that is all she will be for a conduit.
She was given a bracelet which was part of Mandarian's ring arsenal.
Years later she joined the Jade Dragon Clan, led by a general named Wong Chu. During her times as part of the Jade Dragon clan, she was often neglectful of her duties, regardless still performed many evil goals.
Meeting Tony Stark[]
Li Mei meets Tony Stark.
The Jade Dragons attacked Rhodey and Stark Enterpises, which drew out Tony Stark and as a result was nearly killed, had it not been for Li who along with Yinsen saved Tony by placing him in a life support system. She would befriend Tony, taking care of him, and who would often thank Li for the support, but didn't think or believe she deserve such a graditude. Later Wong infriuated with delays shot Yinsen, and threatened to kill Rhodey as incentive to begin creating new weapons. Tony and Rhodey build new weapons, around this time, Tony began to bond with Li, two would dicuss the Jade Dragon Clan, and that they were looking for powerful rings, along with their shares of purpose life, and Tony asked what she thought of hers, but admitted her life does not matter as she walks away.
When the day came she witness Wong Chu, angered for Rhodey wasting time a broken device, nearly kill him, but Li shot him. Tony prepared his suit and saved them both, while Li decides to stay. Li is promoted as the new leader of the clan, but didn't care for being appointment to such a rank, upon remembering her true purpose and even staring at a painting.
Later Li Mei along with the Jade Dragons invade another country to steal the rings, but then witness the Elementals, and surrenders. She also learns Tony Stark manages to stop the Elementals, Li Mei, not wanting him to die, leaks documents of illegal activity of his actions in china to S.H.I.E.L.D, where they attempt to arrest him in the United States. Iron Man would discover Li Mei, who tries to escape with him to the last temple, where he discovers and takes all of the rings. Giving them to Li, only to discover it was a terrible choice as Mei reveals she has the last bracelet and that she is the last living descacant of the Mandarian bloodline. Thus fulfilling the prophecy that was given to her at birth, she urges Iron Man one last time to safe himself, but Iron Man tries to save her, with Li summoning clay monsters.
Becoming the Mandarian[]
Li Mei turns into the Mandarin.
Deep within the temple she discovers the casket of the Mandarin's and begins a ritual which not only brings the Mandarin's back to life, but it also destroys her clothing, Iron Man destroys the elemental clay monsters and final elemental dragon guardian, approaching the catacombs of the temple and discovering Li Mei in a powerful form, along with the Mandarin's . Iron Man tries to stop him, and pleas to Li to remember who she is. But is unable fight it, as the Mandarin's hold is too powerful, the latter ordering her to kill Iron Man. But thanks to Iron Man's ongoing pleas, a fierce spiritual fight ensues, Li Mei breaks free from the Mandarin's control by removing the rings from her hand and destroys the remains of Mandarin's in the process.
After severing her connection with the Mandarian, by removing the rings and braclet, Li Mei dies.
A nude Li Mei is recovered by Iron Man, both admitting to each to other that they saved one another, before emitting a kiss, where Li Mei's arm falls motionlessly, confirming her death.
With her death marks the end of the Mandarian bloodline forever.
Appearance[]
Li Mei is a thin attractive asian woman, often wearing various Chinese clothing or large cloaks, her hair is very long and extended, and sometimes covers it up as a pony tail.
Personality[]
Li Mei is a quiet, and tragic figure, she often sees her life as meaningless, just being a vessel for the Mandarian, even when Tony Stark tried to reason with her throughout most of the film she is rather cold and distant whenever she tried to let him into her life, despite their similar tragic events that made them who are in the present, Li Mei doesn't often stand up or see things in a peaceful perspective but determined to acomplish her tasks regardless of the cost even her own. But she is also shown to be wise and willing to triage, as shown when cared a great deal of Tony Stark and saved him and Rhodey from being killed by the Jade Dragon Clan, and when she had to raise Mandarin from the dead, she wanted Stark to live, not wanting to see him fall for what was to come.
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- Li Mei is an original character, she does not exist in the original comics.
- Her name might be a reference to the mortal kombat character.
- Li Mei actually appears in another marvel film called Doctor Strange Socrerer Supreme, hinted that this version is different compared to the Iron Man film, and not a heir of the Mandarin.
- For most of the final battle, Li Mei is seen fully nude, with only mud and the Mandarian's cloth covering her private areas, this sparked a slight controversial complaint for later marvel films to improve female marvel character fight scenes, examples such as The Hulk Vs Thor and Wolverine and Planet Hulk films had their clothes be slightly damaged or very durable.