Kent Mansley

"I'm Kent Mansley, I work for the Government"

- Kent Mansley's catch phrase.

Kent Mansley is a federal government agent and the hidden main antagonist of The Iron Giant. He is voiced by Christopher McDonald. Upon learning of a gigantic iron robot coming from outer space and into Rockwell, he was sent by General Rogard to investigate. However, he secretly plans to boost his career once he gains evidence of the Giant's existence.

Original version
After introducing himself to Hogarth and his mother, saying "I am Kent Mansley, I work for the government," he continually tracks down Hogarth (the kid who has developed a friendly relationship with the Iron Giant) and harasses him for information. He is tough, pompous, slightly idiotic, scheming, cynical, and paranoid. During the climax, as the town are now aware of the Giant's existence and gentle nature, Kent tried to have General Rogard to track down the Giant and kill him. This led the Giant to attack the city of Rockwell, due to his defense mechanism being triggered by the Army's gunfire as he thought the gunfire killed Hogarth, when he actually survived. Kent even took the opportunity to lie to General Rogard that the Giant killed Hogarth, when the Giant was actually protecting Hogarth from the gunfire, in order to authorize a missile launch to the robot's current position from a nearby submarine. Fortunately, Hogarth regains consciousness and arrives to calm the Giant to its normal state, and the General, realizing that Hogarth is still alive and that the Giant never intended to kill him or anyone, orders his men to stand down, not wanting to make the same mistake again.

Rogard then tries to call the submarine to abort the missile launch, but Kent, still believing that the Giant is a threat, refuses to back down and instead snatches Rogard's radio, ordering the submarine to fire the missile at once. Upon hearing this, General Rogard berates and angrily informs Kent that will result not only the Giant's death, but also the destruction of Rockwell, since the Giant is still residing in the town. Though realizing this, Kent refuses to take any regard in this, and instead renounces his patriotism before trying to escape from Rockwell. Fortunately, he was stopped by the Giant, who then allows Rogard's soldiers to arrest him. It was then the Giant decides to sacrifice himself to the missile in order to save the town. It is unknown what happens to him afterwards, though he was most likely imprisoned.

Remake version
Kent Mansley's role is remains similar to the original version. After being denied a position of power due to his greed, he tracks down an alien with no succeed, until one day, in his quest for power, ﻿he unwittingly came across a time-traveling XANA, though was unaware of who or exactly what he was. All he knew was that he gained greater power.

After introducing himself to Hogarth and his mother, saying "I am Kent Mansley, I work for the government," he continually tracks down Hogarth (the kid who has developed a friendly relationship with the Iron Giant) and harasses him for information. He is tough, pompous, slightly idiotic, scheming, cynical, and paranoid. During the climax, as the town are now aware of the Giant's existence and gentle nature, Kent tried to have General Rogard to track down the Giant and kill him. This led the Giant to attack the city of Rockwell, due to his defense mechanism being triggered by the Army's gunfire as he thought the gunfire killed Hogarth, when he actually survived. Kent even took the opportunity to lie to General Rogard that the Giant killed Hogarth, when the Giant was actually protecting Hogarth from the gunfire, in order to authorize a missile launch to the robot's current position from a nearby submarine. The Lyoko Warriors and Megas came face to face with Kent. Before they could fight, however, XANA revealed himself to Kent and forced him to have him possess the missile. Fortunately, Hogarth regains consciousness and arrives to calm the Giant to its normal state, and the General, realizing that Hogarth is still alive and that the Giant never intended to kill him or anyone, orders his men to stand down, not wanting to make the same mistake again.

Rogard then tries to call the submarine to abort the missile launch, but Kent, still believing that the Giant is a threat, refuses to back down and instead snatches Rogard's radio, ordering the submarine to fire XANA-possessed-missile at once. Upon hearing this, General Rogard berates and angrily informs Kent that will result not only the Giant's death, but also the destruction of Rockwell, since the Giant is still residing in the town. Though realizing this, Kent refuses to take any regard in this, and instead renounces his patriotism before trying to escape from Rockwell. Fortunately, he was stopped by the Giant, who then allows Rogard's soldiers to arrest him. It was then the Giant decides to sacrifice himself to the missile in order to save the town. Ulrich states that Kent was imprisoned for serving XANA.

Quotes
"Two nights ago, at approximately 1900 hours, S.A.T. com radar detected an unidentified flying object entering Earth's atmosphere, losing contact with it two-and-a-half miles off the coast of Rockwell. Some assumed it was a large meteor,or a downed satellite, but my office in Washington received a call from someone reporting an actual encounter with the object. This is no meteor, gentlemen. This is something much more serious."

- Kent Mansley discussing about the information to the mayor of Rockwell and his associates

"Hey there, scout! Kent Mansley, I work for the government."

- Kent Mansley first meeting Hogarth

""Hogarth?" That's an embarrassing name. They might as well have called him "Zeppo" or something. What kind of person would name their kid "Hogar...? (stops and looks over to Hogarth's smashed B-B gun which Kent found at the power station. It reads part of Hogarth's name: Hog- Hug) Hog Hug? HOG HUG? 'HOGARTH HUGHES!! (screeches his car to a stop)"

- Kent Mansley

"You know, Hogarth, we live in a strange and wondrous time: the Atomic Age. But there's a dark side to progress, Hogarth. Ever hear of Sputnik?"

- Kent Mansley

"What am I talking about? What am I TALKING ABOUT?! I'm talking about your goldarn security, Hogarth! While you're snoozing in your little jammies, back in Washington we're wide awake and worried. Why? Because everyone wants what we have, Hogarth. EVERYONE! You think this metal man is fun, but who built it? The Russians? The Chinese? The Martians? Canadians? I DON'T CARE! All I know is, we didn't build it, and that's reason enough to assume the worst and blow it to kingdom come! Now, you are going to tell me about this thing, you are going to lead me to it, and we are going to destroy it before it destroys us! [his stomach gurgles]... Hold that thought and stay right there! [Rushes to the restroom]"

- Kent Mansley's tirade towards Hogarth

"You can learn this, Hogarth, that I can do anything I want whenever I want if I feel it's in the people's best interest. The giant metal man. Where is it?"

- Kent Mansley interrogating Hogarth

"WHERE'S THE GIANT?!"

- Kent Mansley after Hogarth responds to Kent what is stopping him

"The junkyard, of course!  Food for the metal eater. I wouldn't worry about this, Hogarth.  This isn't really happening.  It's only... a bad dream."

- Kent Mansley, before drugging Hogarth

"The army arrives in the morning, Hogarth. Don't get cute."

- Kent Mansley

"We're been waiting for you, Aelita Stones. You may have told the giant came in peace, but the war is only began. Now you and your friends must face us!"

- Kent Mansley to the Lyoko Warriors

"(XANA Possessed Soldier: Stop! Kent! You are no longer any use to me!) Who are you?! I demand you show yourself! (XANA Possessed Soldier: I am the one you brought to the Iron Giant. The Lyoko Warriors could hear me, but you could not.) I don't understand? (XANA Possessed Soldier: No... I didn't think you would. Your desire for power overwhelmed you and blinded you to the truth inside. Now let Aelita what she's willing to see. Let her watch as I steal the giant's reaction to a guns!) You will regret this..."

- Kent Mansley talking with XANA

"He said the monster has killed a kid. Sir, we must stop it at all costs."

- Kent Mansley lying to General Rogard that the Giant killed Hogarth

"LAUNCH THE MISSILE NOW!!!"

- Kent Mansley

"Screw our country! I WANNA LIVE!"

- Kent Mansley's last words

Trivia

 * Kent Mansley is similar to Colonel Muska. Both were wanted to conquer the world, until they came across the protagonist's main villain (XANA and Dr. Eggman), who help them. Both appear to be the main villains, until at the end of each it is revealed that an older enemy is behind them, and reawaken shortly after the defeat of Mansley and the death of Muska (although Muska hints that Eggman returned shortly after revealed he is the descendant of one branch of the Laputan royal family and is totally aware of his prescience, Where Mansley seems to be rather unaware of XANA despite helping/serving him).