Black Widow's sitting this one out.
Scarlett Johansson has revealed that she actually won't be kicking any asses as Natasha Romanoff in "Iron Man 3," according to an interview with Screen Rant.
ScarJo doesn't give a reason for her non-participation, but it's safe to assume that scheduling issues are probably to blame, as the "We Bought a Zoo" star is set to film both "Hitchcock" and Joseph Gordon-Levitt's directorial debut this year. As the "Iron Man" sequel is set to commence with production in the next few months, that might be one gig too many.
It's probably also safe to assume that if "The Avengers" could shoot new scenes a mere few weeks before its release, so too could "Iron Man 3," so don't count Black Widow out entirely just yet.
"Iron Man 3" is not completely without a redhead, though, as Jessica Chastain is in final talks to join the production as a sexy scientist who goes toe-to-toe with Tony Stark. While that might not prove to be quite as visceral as the martial arts stylings of the lady Avenger, it should be quite a sight to behold in its own right.
"Iron Man 3" opens May 3, 2013.
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What does Hollywood love more than a sure thing? Why, another sure thing, of course! Which is why it should come as no surprise that everyone — and we mean everyone — is gearing up to be part of "Iron Man 3" (the next installment in Marvel's superhero franchise).
According to a cast list posted by Feature Film Casting with information on how to audition for a role in the anticipated blockbuster, all the people you'd expect to see are coming back, including Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark, Gwyneth Paltrow as Pepper Potts, Don Cheadle as Lt. Colonel James "Rhodey" Rhodes and … Scarlett Johansson as Natasha Romanoff, aka "The Black Widow." Wait. What?
Now we love us some ScarJo, but her inclusion in the casting seems a bit odd considering she was introduced in "Iron Man 2" as Tony Stark's new assistant, which was all well and good at the time. Now, however, it's known (to Tony and everyone else) that she is, in fact, a SHIELD agent, so we're a little befuddled as to what her role could be in a film that doesn't include The Avengers as a team.
Would it make sense to have her still posing as Stark's assistant? Do the powers-that-be just want to find any way to keep the redheaded siren in the story? Guess we'll find out when "Iron Man 3" hits theaters next May ... as if we needed another reason to line up for this one.
Originally published on Monday, March 26, 2012 at 4:52 p.m.
