ScarJo set for IM2?

Yesterday afternoon the news broke on Deadline Hollywood that Mickey Rourke had officially signed a deal to star as Whiplash in IRON MAN 2 (though it is noted that the character is a combo of Whiplash and Crimson Dynamo). Later that evening, the news was confirmed and Marvel announced the Rourke news. But lost in the shuffle of the Rourke news was another tidbit from Deadline Hollywood, namely that Scarlett Johansson had also officially signed on to star in IRON MAN 2. And sadly that just negates a lot of the excitement I had over Rourke joining the cast.

Johansson is a fine looking woman, there’s no doubt about that, but I just don’t get the feeling that she’ll be a strong presence as Black Widow. I’m not saying she’s a terrible actress, not by any stretch of the imagination. But is she in the league of Downey, Paltrow, Cheadle and Rourke? Not quite. Maybe I got married to the idea of Emily Blunt too quickly and I’m having trouble divorcing myself of that very concept (which was pitch perfect). But as Exhibit A, Johansson reportedly screentested for the Black Widow part back when it was an open gig and was turned down. I feel the same way about this as I did when Jessica Alba was cast as Sue Storm in FANTASTIC FOUR…

I couldn’t be more excited about IRON MAN 2 so I hope it all works out. I hope when it hits theaters I’m not staring at the screen wondering what Scarlett Johansson is doing dressed in black leather. I’ll trust Jon Favreau, Downey and the rest of the creative team that they know what they’re doing. I just wish Emily Blunt was still available.

Source: Deadline Hollywood

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