Watch: ‘Iron Man 3’ trailer

The first trailer for the highly-anticipated third film in the Iron Man franchise, featuring Robert Downey Jr as Tony Stark, has been released online.

The trailer is dark in tone, and features a voice-over by Stark, telling his love Pepper Potts: "Nothing’s been the same since New York. I can’t sleep. And when I do, I have nightmares." We also watch as Stark’s creations are destroyed, a captive Potts struggles, and we get our first glimpse of the film’s villain, Mandarin, played by Ben Kingsley. 

"Some people call me a terrorist. I consider myself a teacher," he says in the trailer. "Lesson number one. Heroes: there is no such thing."

Watch the trailer below:

Iron Man 3 is scheduled for release in April 2013, and is directed by Kiss Kiss Bang Bang’s Shane Black. The film also stars Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle and Jon Favreau.

 The official synopsis from Marvel reads:

"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?"

Get more from iafrica.com:

‘Harry Potter’ star is single
Adele gives birth – report
New mum Adele targeted online