Joseph Gordon-Levitt takes the lead in Sin City: A Dame to Kill For

SIN CITY: A DAME TO KILL FOR just got a little bit cooler.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt has signed on to play the leading role in Robert Rodriguez‘s second installment of the graphic novel adaptation. Levitt will play Johnny, who is described as, “a cocky gambler who disguises a darker mission to destroy his most foul enemy at his best game.” Johnny Depp was once offered the role, but it didn’t work out. The character is a new one that Rodriguez and Miller are excited to see Levitt bring to the big screen.

Levitt will join Mickey Rourke, Clive Owen, Bruce Willis, Rosario Dawson, Jamie Chung, Jamie King, and Dennis Haysbert. It is also being reported that Bruce Willis is looking to return, and that Josh Brolin may have a role in the sequel as well. Deadline says that other “tough guy” actors will join up in the coming weeks.

With this news, Levitt has now dropped talks with Marvel Studios over GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY. So as you may have expected, the hunt is still on for the role of Peter Quill aka StarLord. He also just turned down the leading role in GODZILLA…now we know why.

One role that still needs casting is Ava. Angelina Jolie had to decline early on in development because she was pregnant. So the production actually waited with baited breath for her to pop that kiddo out so she could come to work on the film. Later it was reported that Rachel Weisz had replaced Jolie. Since then, nothing has been said about either actress taking or not taking on the role. Wonder who will take it on…

SIN CITY: A DAME TO KILL FOR is set to release October 4, 2013.