Friday, October 9

• Eliza Dushku Interested in Wet Live-Action Movie

  Eliza Dushku was one of a short list of actors whose name was bandied about when the role of the Black Widow was being cast for Iron Man 2. Dushku lost out to Scarlett Johansson, and she recently sounded off about it to MTV, saying:

  I think it went straight to Miss Thing. I get it, you know? I get it. She's pretty fierce.

  Despite missing out on playing the Black Widow, Dushku could be portraying a movie action hero in the new future, if the Wet video game that was released last month is a big enough hit. Developed by Bethesda and A2M, Wet is an action shooter game for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 that stars a ruthless female heroine in Rubi Malone. Dushku provided the voice of Malone for the Wet game and she said that she would be interested in taking the role to the next level by portraying Malone on the big screen.

  Well, this video game Wet that I just did, is sorta ... she's got a working-class Lara Croft thing going on. And, she's pretty kick-ass. And she travels the globe and she's in Hong Kong and she's in the UK and she's a gun for hire and she's got two samurai swords. She's pretty vicious. So, that's been something that maybe could turn into a live-action Dushku vehicle.

  Dushku is currently starring in Joss Whedon's Dollhouse TV series on Fox.

  
  

  Posted 10/09/2009 by BrentJS

  Related: Joss Whedon | Scarlett Johansson | Eliza Dushku | Iron Man 2

Tuesday, September 29

• Scarlett Johansson's Iron Man 2 Set Visit Interview

  Entertainment Tonight previously revealed some Whiplash footage from its Iron Man 2 set visit, but now they've added an in-depth interview with Scarlett Johansson. The topics she covers include her Iron Man 2 stunt work, the Black Widow costume she kept away from husband Ryan Reynolds, and the Iron Man "boys' club."

  It was, yes at times, a little bit of a boys' club but I think I imbued enough femininity to quiet them down a little.

  Indeed she did. Don Cheadle described the crew's reaction to Johansson's costume to as "hushed reverence." Watch the rest of Johansson's interview below.

  
  
  Next Showing: Iron Man 2 opens May 7, 2010

  Posted 09/29/2009 by Ryan

  Related: Don Cheadle | Scarlett Johansson | Iron Man 2

Friday, September 25

• Iron Man 2 Set Visit Reveals Whiplash in Action

  Entertainment Tonight got an exclusive Iron Man 2 set visit and revealed a few sneak peeks into the anticipated sequel. The video contains interviews with Robert Downey Jr., Gwenyth Paltrow, Scarlett Johansson, Don Cheadle, and Jon Favreau about the em>Iron Man love triangle, the fitness regimes of the cast, and, most importantly, a few seconds of Mickey Rourke as strong>Whiplash using his whips to destroy a car on the Monaco Grand Prix. The scene is from the initial meeting between Tony Stark, a.k.a. Iron Man, and Whiplash, explained Downey Jr.:

  Tony Stark has come to Monaco, supposedly to observe the race, but then, as it happens, he is racing in it. This is where he meets his nemesis, and this big kind of action sequence unfolds on the track. This is probably about my favorite thing in the world to do professionally because you get the free adrenaline rush and it's all safe.

  Watch the complete video below:

  
  

  Posted 09/25/2009 by Ryan

  Related: Don Cheadle | Gwyneth Paltrow | Jon Favreau | Scarlett Johansson | Robert Downey Jr. | Mickey Rourke | Iron Man 2

Monday, September 7

• Scarlett Johansson Talks Iron Man 2 Details

  Scarlett Johansson enjoyed Iron Man 2 enough to want her own Black Widow movie, so it's fortunate Johansson won the role since Marvel was considering her for another superhero role originally. Coventry Telegraph reports that Marvel discussed a number of roles with Johansson, namely Wanda Maximoff, a.k.a. The Scarlet Witch, longtime member of the Avengers and daughter of Magneto, though it's not clear if the character will appear in either X-Men Origins: Magneto or The Avengers.

  Instead, Johansson is playing Black Widow, a Russian spy that Johansson says will not have a Russian accent.

  No, I think that would be a little bit of a dead giveaway, I don't know how covert you would be [if you had a Russian accent] but I would have [had one] if I had to.

  Johansson revealed there's much more at stake in Iron Man 2 than a Russian accent, specifically that the movie comes down to choices.

  I try to compare it with something like Hamlet, and it's that kind of dramatic second act where there is a huge climax and everything culminates in a character. You take a character that can go in two different paths. I think a lot of the characters in this film have to make a choice and I think there is that iconic good vs. evil that comes into play, it's not all gray area.

  There's choices that have to be made and I think that a lot of characters in this are certainly forced to step up to the plate and realise how important they are, how invaluable they are to humankind, and decide: "I have this all in the palm of my hand, which way can I go?"

  That to me is sort of epic, that kind of story, certainly [director] Jon [Favreau] has had that in his mind, this is like the arc of the character, and the third instalment will be the culmination of that, whether it be good or evil — of course we hope that good always prevails, but there will be a different kind of fight fought, I suppose.

  
  

  Posted 09/07/2009 by Ryan

  Related: Scarlett Johansson | Iron Man 3 | X-Men Origins: Magneto | The Avengers | Iron Man 2

Monday, August 24

• Marvel's Kevin Feige Confirms Possible Black Widow Spin-Off

  

  Scarlett Johansson has said she's "hoping" for her own Black Widow spin-off from Iron Man 2, and Marvel's President of Production Kevin Feige agrees. Feige told ComicBookResources that Johansson is not only "signed on" to appear in The Avengers, but also her own Black Widow movie "should we be lucky enough to have an audience that wants to see" it.

  Marvel likely won't have to worry about finding an audience to appreciate Johansson in a skin-tight, black leather outfit (there might be one, Marvel, fingers crossed!), but whether Johansson can make it through another movie unscathed. While Johansson enjoyed playing a "badass" character, she told IrelandOnline that the physicality of the role came at a price:

  I had such a great stunt team who were unbelievably supportive. I have to say though, I'll probably never be able to turn my neck to the left again.

  Luckily for her, in a comic book movie not being able to turn one's head isn't necessarily detrimental. It worked great for Christian Bale in The Dark Knight.

  
  

  Posted 08/24/2009 by Ryan

  Related: Kevin Feige | Scarlett Johansson | Iron Man 2 | The Avengers

Thursday, August 20

• Scarlett Johansson Wants Her Own Black Widow Movie

  Scarlett Johansson apparently enjoyed her time playing Black Widow in Iron Man 2, even if her skin-tight, black leather costume initially made her nervous. Johansson told Ireland Online that she's ready to play the the Russian spy again:

  I hope I get to come back and do it again. The character certainly comes back. We see that she does in the comics and certainly she is a big part of The Avengers. I don't know if that is where it's going to go but she is definitely a big part of The Avengers.

  Marvel's President of Production Kevin Feige has already said that Black Widow was "for sure" going to appear in The Avengers, but perhaps a solo Black Widow as well:

  She has many different incarnations and different storylines so I'm hoping she will be able to continue in that way. I'm hoping that if the fans like the character and support the character, we'll see her again.

  
  
  Next Showing: Iron Man 2 opens May 7, 2010

  Posted 08/20/2009 by Ryan

  Related: Kevin Feige | Scarlett Johansson | The Avengers | Iron Man 2

Monday, August 17

• Are there Too Many Villains in Iron Man 2?

  It's a common problem for comic book-movie sequels: too many villains. In Iron Man, director Jon Favreau kept things simple by having Robert Downey Jr. square off with only one major villain, Jeff Bridges. For Iron Man 2, Downey Jr. will face off against Mickey Rourke as Whiplash, Sam Rockwell as Justin Hammer, Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow, and possibly fighting with best friend Col. James "Rhodey" Rhodes (Don Cheadle) as War Machine, whose appearance was confirmed at the San Diego Comic-Con.

  Cheadle told MTV that his time in the War Machine armor was "significant" and that there will be tension between himself and Downey Jr.:

  We kept asking ourselves: How does that play out with Tony Stark being an independent contractor doing what he wants to do, and Rhodes actually being in the military. There's a real chain of command he has to follow. What's the conflict that creates?

  Will featuring so many potential adversaries in Iron Man 2 weigh down the movie? Favreau seems aware of the potential villain overload and doesn't see it as a problem:

  We had to walk a fine line. I think you're good for number two. Two seems to be the charm because you got your origin story out of the way. You can add some complexity to it and you have room, because you don't have to tell the origin story, to introduce the characters. When you get to number three, you can get hidebound. You're like a beached whale sometimes because you have so much, you collapse under the weight of the complexity that you've created.

  Favreau has suggested that a potential Iron Man 3 will likely focus on arch-nemesis Mandarin. Thus far, no other villains have been named. That ought to keep the "complexity" down.

  
  
  Next Showing: Iron Man 2 opens May 7, 2010

  Posted 08/17/2009 by Ryan

  Related: Don Cheadle | Jeff Bridges | Jon Favreau | Scarlett Johansson | Robert Downey Jr. | Mickey Rourke | Iron Man 3 | Iron Man 2 | Iron Man

Monday, August 3

• Don Cheadle Discusses His Role in Iron Man 2

  

  

  Actor Don Cheadle's addition to the cast of Iron Man 2 as James "Rhodey" Rhodes/War Machine was one of the most controversial decisions made in pre-production because fans were very fond of the actor who played Rhodey in the first movie, Terrence Howard. During a series of Iron Man 2 roundtable interviews at the San Diego Comic-Con, we asked Cheadle if there was any "bad blood" between the two actors, and he said:

  I didn't take a role from Terrence, you know. It's potentially weird between he and them because, you know, that was their deal. But, by the time I came on, he was already not doing the movie.

  Terrence has been a friend for a while. I produced Crash and put him in Crash. And I was his friend before that, too, so he knew there was no beef. I didn't snake a part from Terrence. He was cool with me.

  When asked about how he prepared himself to play Rhodey, a Marvel Comics character that's been around since the late 70's, Cheadle said:

  

  I went back and looked at a lot of different... there's so many different iterations of James "Rhodey" Rhodes in comic books, so it was hard to go, "Well, I want to be the one in 1982..." It's like, which one am I picking? So...what's the common denominator here? The common denominator was really his friendship with Tony. And, that's what we really tried to track. How is their friendship impacted once Tony comes out and owns, "I am Iron Man," and now I'm in the military and there's a chain-of-command that I have to follow but you're working outside of the military and basically you're a live weapon that can do whatever it wants ... that was the strain, that was the tension that was between their relationship that drives the whole movie, for our characters.

  Cheadle said that he was happy to sign a multi-picture deal in order to win the role of Rhodey, but that if he had the opportunity to play any "superhero" he wanted, he would choose the founder of Buddhism, Siddhartha Gautama.

  I mean, that's a crazy answer, but it's true. Comic books, you know, I really liked Swamp Thing. I loved that comic. And, I loved The Dark Knight. I was a fan of that comic book.

  Iron Man 2 also stars Robert Downey Jr., Sam Rockwell, Gwyneth Paltrow, Mickey Rourke, and Samuel L. Jackson. There are also rumors that Edward Norton will reprise the role of the Hulk in the film, but Norton has refused to comment.

  
  
  

  Iron Man 2 Update

  Don Cheadle replaces Terrence Howard as War Machine.

  Posted 08/03/2009 by BrentJS

  Related: Don Cheadle | Jon Favreau | Scarlett Johansson | Robert Downey Jr. | The Iron Man | Iron Man 2

Saturday, August 1

• Jon Favreau Discusses the New Characters in Iron Man 2

  

  Writer, actor, director Jon Favreau understands the importance of winning over the core comic book fan base, which is why he debuted footage of both Iron Man films at the San Diego Comic-Con. About the über-zealous fans, Favreau said, "The geeks have inherited the Earth, and that's good news for us."

  In a roundtable interview after the Iron Man 2 footage was shown, Favreau explained why Whiplash (played by Mickey Rourke) and War Machine (Don Cheadle) were featured instead of Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), the original choice for the teaser.

  The jury was out on Scarlett for a while ... and when those pictures came out online everybody was like, "Wow." So, I was like, "Okay, that's not the big one," you know? And, with Whiplash, we kind of wanted to show a little bit more of what we're doing with the technology of that character and explain how it fits into the story.

  Favreau explained that the character of Whiplash is very much a dark version of Tony Stark/Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.).

  

  We want to unify the technology of what's going on with Iron Man, what's going on with Whiplash, and ... when ... (Rourke's character is) building Whiplash, it's mirroring in a lot of ways the assembly of the (Iron Man) armor, except under different circumstances. So, it's almost like the shadow version of Tony Stark coming from a different place going through a similar journey as him.

  The part of the Iron Man 2 teaser that seemed to most electrify the audience in Hall H was the footage of War Machine, a souped-up, Iron Man-on-steroids hero. Favreau explained:

  The thing that's fun about War Machine is it's over-the-top ... Iron Man is the sleek, elegant version where everything is contained under the airframe and War Machine is, you know, the over-the-top, everything hangin' out and ... it creates a little bit of a rivalry between the two of them in that respect. So, we use guns ... there's lots of gun porn in this movie, lets put it that way. And it's not just with that character, there's a lot — we're living in that world and it's the extreme version of the military industrial complex. That's the pool that we spawn from.

  Iron Man 2 also stars Sam Rockwell as Justin Hammer, Gwyneth Paltrow as Pepper Potts, and Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury. There are also rumors that either Bruce Banner or the Hulk will make a cameo appearance in the film, but Edward Norton has refused to comment.

  
  
  Next Showing: Iron Man 2 opens May 7, 2010

  Posted 08/01/2009 by BrentJS

  Related: Don Cheadle | Jon Favreau | Scarlett Johansson | Robert Downey Jr. | Mickey Rourke | Iron Man | Iron Man 2

Wednesday, July 29

• Scarlett Johansson Says Her Iron Man 2 Character Is a Badass

  

  

  Backstage after Comic-Con's Iron Man 2 panel, actress Scarlett Johansson shed some light on the character she portrays in the movie, Natasha Romanoff, AKA the Black Widow:

  There are sort of two sides to my character, she's a bit of a shape-shifter, I suppose. There's a side of the character that's kind of demur and sort of covert, and, um, kind of … I wouldn't say that she's submissive, but she's kind of blending into sort of Stark Industries of some kind. And, then the other part of the character, which is a really aggressive and badass character that is sure of herself and is going to kick the shit out of you if you get in her way. That's about as much as I can tell you.

  When asked if she was nervous about donning the skin-tight black leather suit that the Black Widow is famous for, Johansson admitted she was nervous at first:

  I had a bit of a freak-out moment. Well, it was more seeing ... 'cause the costume took a while to build it, obviously, but I saw some of the sketches and I knew what to expect because I had obviously seen the kind of later incarnation of the character. I knew that it was going to be some kind of cat suit of some kind. So, I had a freak-out moment, but that only lasted about, you know, half-a-day and I was like, "Suck it up, you gotta just do it," so I never turned back after that. I just went, like, full force.

  Johansson seemed perfectly comfortable onstage for the panel, unlike her co-star Sam Rockwell, who admitted to being rattled by the 6,000-plus in attendance at Hall H. She also said that she's used to the idea of being scrutinized by millions of people and her only real fear was that the Black Widow costume would be restrictive:

  

  I have to say that the idea of so many millions of people watching what I'm going to do, I'm used to that kind of feeling. But, as far as the action sequences go, and how the costume relates to that — one thing that's obviously important to my character is that the costume moves, the character is, you know, an expert of hand-to-hand combat, she's a mixed martial artist, she comes from a dance background, there's some gymnastics thrown in — it's kind of like everything all thrown into one big, sort of, fighting machine. So, a big part of me was like, "Can I move in this, can I run in it?"

  Johansson said that after the mental hurdle of wearing the suit was behind her and the suit had been designed and built, it all came down to hard work. She said, "You just have to put in the hours, you know?"

  
  
  

  Iron Man 2 Update

  Don Cheadle replaces Terrence Howard as War Machine.

  Posted 07/29/2009 by BrentJS

  Related: Scarlett Johansson | Sam Rockwell | Iron Man | Iron Man 2

Monday, July 27

• War Machine to Appear in Iron Man 2

  

  

  Terrence Howard's prophetic utterance of "next time" from Iron Man is the key to Jon Favreau and company's biggest surprise revealed at San Diego Comic-Con. During an Iron Man 2 panel discussion, Favreau told the crowd that War Machine will indeed appear in the movie:

  We wanted to use Comic-Con as our venue to have the first images of War Machine come out. There's been talk of whether it was [in the film] or not, and we've been holding back. We haven't talked officially about it. We wanted to show the fans some of that.

  For those unfamiliar with the character from the comic books, Favreau explained:

  War Machine is another character that's based on the Iron Man technology. James Rhodes, or 'Rhodey,' the character in this film played by Don Cheadle [replacing Howard], he has his own suit. It looks different, different coloring, different weapons on it. War Machine and Iron Man, typically in the books, are at odds. And so, it's Iron Man facing up against someone of equal power and stature using the same technology.

  Favreau then showed a 5-minute clip of the movie that featured Cheadle being offered the armor by Tony Stark rival Justin Hammer (Sam Rockwell) and ended in an action shot of War Machine firing weapons from his armor.

  With Mickey Rourke looking to complicate things as nemesis Whiplash and Scarlett Johansson possibly working to bring down Tony Stark as well, the addition of War Machine is sure to give Robert Downey Jr. a lot to deal with in the sequel. After seeing the footage of War Machine, Downey Jr. was not pleased.

  "I can't believe your rig is better than my rig," Downey Jr. said to Cheadle.

  "It was a contractual thing," Cheadle responded.

  
  
  Next Showing: Iron Man 2 opens May 7, 2010

  Posted 07/27/2009 by Ryan

  Related: Don Cheadle | Jon Favreau | Scarlett Johansson | Terrence Howard | Sam Rockwell | Robert Downey Jr. | Mickey Rourke | Iron Man | Iron Man 2

Thursday, July 23

• More Iron Man 2 Photos

  USA Today released a gallery of Iron Man 2 photos, days after a photo of Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow hit the Interwebs.

  The photos sweep through most of the cast, starting with Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) on a racetrack after a crash has occurred, Don Cheadle as Col. James Rhodes, another shot of Johansson, and one of Gwyneth Paltrow as Pepper Potts.

  The cast talks briefly about the expectations for the big-budget sequel, something that Downey Jr. takes very seriously.

  We know now [the audience] gets the jokes. They get what we're trying to do with the story. Now we have to tell a better one.

  You can find the photo gallery here.

  
  

  Posted 07/23/2009 by Ryan

  Related: Don Cheadle | Gwyneth Paltrow | Scarlett Johansson | Robert Downey Jr. | Iron Man 2

Monday, July 20

• Iron Man 2 Cat Fight, Round 2

  Months ago, it was reported that all was not well on the set of Iron Man 2. Apparently, Gwyneth Paltrow — reprising her role as Pepper Potts, assistant to Tony Stark/Iron Man (played by Robert Downey Jr.) — was jealous about the attention that her new co-star, Scarlett Johansson, was receiving on the set. An unnamed source said that Paltrow found Johansson to be "demanding of the attention of the crew" and also that Paltrow was jealous of the outfits that Johansson's character, the Black Widow, wears in the movie.

  Fast-forward to today and what was old is new again. Principal photography has wrapped, but the Iron Man 2 drama continues. Once again, an unnamed source claims that Paltrow is fuming over the attention Johansson is receiving. This time, the source claims that it's Paltrow's noticeable absence from this week's Entertainment Weekly cover and other promotional materials for the movie that has the actress seeing red. Apparently, Paltrow has even boycotted the San Diego Comic Convention, the largest comic book convention in the country and a burgeoning outlet for genre-related Hollywood announcements and special appearances.

  A spokesman for Paltrow denies the rumors, saying:

  (Gwyneth) was not at all upset. The fans will get to see more of Pepper Potts as we get closer to the film's release next May.

  We'll have to wait to see what that means.

  
  
  Next Showing: Iron Man 2 opens May 7, 2010

  Posted 07/20/2009 by BrentJS

  Related: Gwyneth Paltrow | Scarlett Johansson | Iron Man 2

Thursday, July 16

• First Iron Man 2 Photo of Scarlett Johansson as the Black Widow

  Tony Stark was masterfully played by Robert Downey Jr. as an unrepentent womanizing playboy in Iron Man. So how will he fare against a Russian spy with killer looks?

  See for yourself as Entertainment Weekly reveals the first official picture of Scarlett Johanson as the Black Widow in Iron Man 2. Mickey Rourke, who plays the Russian villain Ivan Vanko, aka Whiplash, also appears on the cover.

  
  
  Next Showing: Iron Man 2 opens May 7, 2010

  Posted 07/16/2009 by BrentJS

  Related: Scarlett Johansson | Robert Downey Jr. | Mickey Rourke | Iron Man 2

Thursday, July 2

• No Action For Jackson in Iron Man 2

  

  With Samuel L. Jackson signed on to play S.H.I.E.L.D. Director Nick Fury for 9 Marvel movies, it's inevitable that Jackson will get into some action, possibly even a movie all his own. Iron Man 2 is the next Marvel movie that Jackson will appear in, but he told MTV not to expect any action:

  Not this time, not yet. We still haven't moved Nick Fury into the bad-ass zone. He's still just kind of a talker.

  Jackson's scenes were limited to appearing with Robert Downey Jr. and Scarlett Johansson. However, the "bad-ass zone" may not be far away. When asked if Fury might be unleashed in The Avengers, Jackson replied:

  Looking forward to that, yeah.

  
  
  Next Showing: Iron Man 2 opens May 7, 2010

  Posted 07/02/2009 by Ryan

  Related: Scarlett Johansson | Samuel L. Jackson | Robert Downey Jr. | Iron Man 2 | The Avengers

Tuesday, June 9

• Marvel's Kevin Feige Updates The Avengers, Thor, Ant-Man and More

  Marvel President of Production Kevin Feige has been very busy lately speaking about the upcoming slate of movies Marvel has in production, from The Avengers to Thor and even Ant-Man, giving plenty of updates about each one.

  While he could not confirm another Incredible Hulk movie, Feige did confirm that Hulk will appear in The Avengers:

  Now at least we can talk about Hulk being onscreen and Hulk being in a movie. It will have been four years since he was in a movie by that point. By 2012, I'd like to see him in it. We're just starting the story. I was on the phone with [Avengers screenwriter] Zak Penn this morning. He's coming in next week and he's going to work on the outline this summer. It's so intertwined with what we're doing before it. I almost wanted to get done with production on Iron Man 2, and the scripts to Thor and The First Avenger: Captain America well underway, before we even started The Avengers.

  With many of the movies being intertwined, this means that several characters will make appearances in different movies, in particular Tom Hiddleston as Loki, Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow, and Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury. Feige explained that he hopes to provide fans with a comic book experience, where characters from other books show up unexpectedly.

  Feige gave an update on Thor confirming that Donald Blake, Thor's human alter ego, will not appear in Thor, which will take place on both Earth and Asgard. Meanwhile, The First Avenger: Captain America will "primarily" be a period piece taking place during World War II, with an appearance by Cap's sidekick Bucky "a safe bet."

  As for casting Captain America, Feige clearly hasn't made a decision:

  There are only a handful of stars that mean anything here, much less overseas. I do think that will be a factor in it. As long as we have the freedom to cast the best actor for the part. Whether it's an actor who's been a great actor, but hasn't starred in marquee action movies before like Robert Downey, or somebody that came out of Australia that we've never heard.

  As for the Ant-Man adaptation that Shaun of the Dead's Edgar Wright is working on, Feige said:

  I want to make Ant-Man one of these days. I think that'll be surprising and funny. I love Edgar Wright. What he likes about it is that when he says he's doing Ant-Man, people go, 'Ant-Man? What the hell is that?' I think that's funny.

  Ant-Man isn't the only movie Feige hopes to make post-Avengers, he's also excited about Doctor Strange:

  I think Doctor Strange would kick ass. I think we've done very well at this street-level superhero aspect of the Marvel Universe. I think with Thor, you'll see us cracking into the cosmic side of the Marvel Universe in a very good way that's never been done before in our movies. I'd love to get into that supernatural element.

  Marvel and Feige clearly have a lot on the horizon. However, ultimately, it's The Avengers that Feige is most excited about:

  I think The Avengers is going to have it's own vibe. It'll have a different tone than the other Marvel movies. It is about saving the world, because there's no other reason for characters that powerful to band together. I think the scope and the scale will feel like a much bigger thing.

  Iron Man 2 opens May 7, 2010, while Thor and The First Avenger: Captain America are due May 20 and July 22 of 2011, respectively. The Avengers should open May 4, 2012.

  
  

  Posted 06/09/2009 by Ryan

  Related: Kevin Feige | Scarlett Johansson | Zak Penn | Samuel L. Jackson | Robert Downey Jr. | Tom Hiddleston | Edgar Wright | Chris Hemsworth | The Incredible Hulk 2 | Thor | Ant-Man | The Avengers | Iron Man 2 | First Avenger: Captain America | The Incredible Hulk | Shaun of the Dead

Wednesday, May 20

• Catfight on Iron Man 2 Set -- PLUS a Climactic Fight Scene!

  Rumors say that Scarlett "Black Widow" Johansson and Gwyneth "Pepper Potts" Paltrow aren't playing nice together on the set of Iron Man 2.

  While admittedly, you can't believe everything the British papers say -- especially the Sun -- the paper reports that Paltrow feels her on-set rival is hogging the limelight and now sparks are flying between the two female leads.

  According to their unnamed source...

  Gwyneth has become very frustrated with Scarlett. They come from different worlds and have completely different styles. Gwyneth has found Scarlett very demanding of the attention of the crew. It's not a happy set.

  The insider went on to say that all this stems from jealousy over the fact that Scarlett gets to wear tight leather outfits and carry guns, while Gwyneth is relegated to business suits and office scenes. Oh the drama!

  Almost as a side note, the article mentions that Gwyneth will get her chance for action in movie's the climactic battle scene...

  The most spectacular sequence in the movie is a huge fight between Robert Downey Jr. and Mickey Rourke, and she (Paltrow) is going to be right in the thick of things. That section of the movie is going to be three straight weeks of filming in June. It is by far the most expensive sequence, the centrepiece of the whole project.

  Now that's the kind of drama we want to see!

  
  

  Posted 05/20/2009 by Jim

  Related: Gwyneth Paltrow | Scarlett Johansson | Robert Downey Jr. | Mickey Rourke | Iron Man 2

Thursday, April 9

• First Day Filming Iron Man 2 Reveals... Garry Shandling?

  Director Jon Favreau has started shooting Iron Man 2 and we've got the first footage showing the actors making their way to and from the set. Admittedly, it's not much, but only exciting because it showcases many of the key characters. From this, we even learn that comedian Garry Shandling is in the movie!

  
  

  Posted 04/09/2009 by Jim

  Related: Don Cheadle | Gwyneth Paltrow | Jon Favreau | Scarlett Johansson | Sam Rockwell | Robert Downey Jr. | Mickey Rourke | Iron Man 2

Thursday, March 12

• Iron Man 2 Casting Confirmed for Mickey Rourke and Scarlett Johansson

  Deadline Hollywood has supplied the scoop and final word regarding Iron Man 2 casting rumors that have been floating around of late.

  First off, Mickey Rourke, fresh from his Oscar-nominated popularity, has finally signed on to play an unknown Russian antagonist, which every geek knows is probably a villain called Whiplash. He'll be in good company as the main baddie against fellow "comeback kid" actor Robert Downey Jr. in the title role.

  Next, we have word that Scarlett Johansson will indeed be replacing Emily Blunt in the role of Black Widow, the Russian spy and possible new love interest for Tony Stark, aka Iron Man. This also may be the reason why Gwyneth Paltrow has not yet been alerted to her involvement in the sequel, or the lack thereof.

  Incidentally, Johansson finished last in our user poll about who should play Black Widow.

  
  

  Posted 03/12/2009 by Jim

  Related: Emily Blunt | Gwyneth Paltrow | Scarlett Johansson | Robert Downey Jr. | Mickey Rourke | Iron Man 2

Tuesday, February 24

• Woody Allen to Drool Over Freida Pinto

  Fresh off Slumdog's Oscar wins, Freida Pinto has signed on to play an ingenue in an upcoming, untitled Woody Allen film.

  Wonder if ScarJo feels slighted by the Wood-man giving some other hot young thing the ingenue role?

  The cast of the movie also includes Naomi Watts, Josh Brolin, and Anthony Hopkins. We can only hope this career development doesn't lead Pinto down an annoying ScarJo career path of He's Just Not That Into You proportions. Let us not forget ladies, it takes more than a pretty face and a "Woody-Ingenue Title" to make a career.

  
  

  Posted 02/24/2009 by Hailey

  Related: Scarlett Johansson | Woody Allen | Josh Brolin | Naomi Watts | Freida Pinto

Monday, February 16

• Who Should Play Black Widow in Iron Man 2?

  Blunt	Dushku	Johansson

  
  

  Posted 02/16/2009 by reelz

  Related: Emily Blunt | Scarlett Johansson | Eliza Dushku | Iron Man 2

• Johansson Wants Widow Role in Iron Man 2 Too!

  No sooner did we report about Eliza Dushku campaigning for the role of Black Widow in Iron Man 2 than reports came in about another sexy starlett named Scarlett who also wants to play the part.

  This makes the third hottie in two weeks rumored for the role of Natasha Romanoff, a.k.a. the KGB spy Black Widow, making it the hottest property in Hollywood right now.

  The first female offered the part was Emily Blunt, but she may be unable to accept due to conflicting movie schedules.

  The second was the aformentioned Dushku, but hers is a hopeful wish rather than an actual audition.

  Now, although it is yet uncertain whether Emily Blunt will step down, ScarJo's name has been thrown in as her potential replacement, and rumors say she has already met with the powers that be and is in the negotiation phase to fill the Russian superspy's shoes. Others add that Scarlett is just waiting for Blunt to officially give up the part. And some are suggesting this will all be settled by a girlfight.

  We made up that last one. At any rate, all this is still classified as rumor until Marvel confirms or denies everything.

  
  

  Posted 02/16/2009 by Jim

  Related: Emily Blunt | Scarlett Johansson | Eliza Dushku | Iron Man 2

Friday, February 6

• He's Just Not That Into You Review

  Based on the self-help book that blossomed out of a Sex and the City episode, He's Just Not That Into You has been adapted for the screen and features a massive ensemble cast of stars and starlets, including Ben Affleck, Jennifer Aniston, Jennifer Connelly, Ginnifer Goodwin, Scarlett Johansson, Bradley Cooper, Justin Long, and Kevin Connolly. Drew Barrymore does double duty, starring and producing for her Flower Films banner.

  So is He's Just Not That Into You the ultimate chick flick? Something men should dread and steer clear of if their date suggests it? Find out in our review.

  
  

  Posted 02/06/2009 by reelz

  Related: Ben Affleck | Bradley Cooper | Drew Barrymore | Jennifer Aniston | Jennifer Connelly | Justin Long | Scarlett Johansson | Kevin Connolly | Ginnifer Goodwin | He's Just Not That Into You

Wednesday, August 20

• Stars Come Out for Presidential Conventions

  A few weeks ago, John McCain famously called Barack Obama "the biggest celebrity in the world" and likened him to Paris Hilton. Which, if we're doing our celebrity math right, makes John McCain Nicole Richie, right? Soon, the two political glamourpusses will be headlining their respective party conventions, and everyone wants to know who else will be attending.

  Well, you know how stars are -- they go where the stars are. According to the NY Daily News, the Democrats are getting George Clooney, Madonna, Matt Damon, Kanye West, Scarlett Johansson and a bunch of other Hollywood A-listers. And the Republicans are getting "Redneck Woman" singer Gretchen Wilson. And maybe Kid Rock. Meanwhile, eternal rebel Sean Penn is blowing off both Establishment Parties (and parties) to chant a few protest slogans and maybe knock back a few cold ones with Ralph Nader. Yeah, that should be fun.

  
  

  Posted 08/20/2008 by reelz

  Related: George Clooney | Matt Damon | Scarlett Johansson | Sean Penn | Nicole Richie | Paris Hilton | Madonna

Friday, August 15

• Interviews with Johansson, Hall, and Downey

  Dailies interviewed the stars of Tropic Thunder and Vicky Cristina Barcelona:

  Johansson and Hall discuss working with Woody Allen.

  Robert Downey Jr. talks about playing a man playing a black man, and how he was "in the zone" during filming.

  
  

  Posted 08/15/2008 by reelz

  Related: Scarlett Johansson | Rebecca Hall | Robert Downey Jr. | Vicky Cristina Barcelona | Tropic Thunder

Thursday, July 24

• Astro Boy Perhaps at Next Year's Comic-Con

  

  A movie that could very well be at Comic-Con next year is Astro Boy, the animated sci-fi story will star the voices of Scarlett Johanssen, Donald Sutherland, Nicolas Cage and Freddie Highmore in the title role. The movie is set for release next year, but here's the new poster. David Bowers, who was one of the directors of Flushed Away in 2006, is the director of Astro Boy. He tells ReelzChannel that the movie will go more for the heart than the laughs featured in Flushed Away.

  It's based on the classic 1950s anime about a young android boy (Astro) who's created by his father to replace the real son he's lost. Astro doesn't work out at first but then it's discovered he was gifted with superior powers and skills, as well as the ability to experience human emotions. It's a very emotional story.

  
  

  Posted 07/24/2008 by reelz

  Related: Donald Sutherland | Freddie Highmore | Nicolas Cage | Scarlett Johansson | David Bowers | Astro Boy

Wednesday, April 30

• Scarlett Johannson "Sings"

  Actress Scarlett Johansson is taking a stab at a new career as a "singer." Her new album "Anywhere I Lay My Head" is out May 20th from Rhino and you can now catch the video for the first single "Falling Down" on Variety.

  So what do you think? Post a comment below or drop us a line with your thoughts.

  
  

  Posted 04/30/2008 by reelz

  Related: Scarlett Johansson

Monday, March 10

• Win a night with Scarlett Johansson

  Fans of Scarlett Johansson can win the chance to meet the buxom actress, and it's all in the name of charity.

  Johansson, who is an Oxfam Ambassador, is auctioning off two tickets to the New York premiere of her upcoming movie, He's Just Not That Into You, this July to benefit the charity. The winner will also get a meet and greet with Johansson, and be escorted to the premiere via chauffeured car after being dolled up at the Prive Salon.

  100% of the proceeds from the auction will go to Oxfam America.

  Bidding closes on Weds (Mar 12) at 8 PM PST, so to get your bid in under the wire, go to www.ebay.com/oxfam.

  
  

  Posted 03/10/2008 by reelz

  Related: Scarlett Johansson | He's Just Not That Into You

Wednesday, February 27

• The Other Boleyn Girl Review

  Natalie Portman, Scarlett Johansson and Eric Bana steam it up Medieval style in a love triangle centering around King Henry VIII in The Other Boleyn Girl.

  The reality that Henry had something going with both Boleyn sisters is definitely an juicy piece of history that is often overlooked, but does this romantic drama have anything more to it than Hollywood's pretty faces dropping corset?

  Read our The Other Boleyn Girl review and find out.

  
  
  Next Showing: The Other Boleyn Girl opens Friday, Feb. 29.
  

  The Other Boleyn Girl trailer

  Starring Portman & Johansson as the Boleyns

  Posted 02/27/2008 by reelz

  Related: Natalie Portman | Scarlett Johansson | Eric Bana | The Other Boleyn Girl

Friday, August 17

• Today's movie news: Johansson x 3 and Push

  Movie fans should plan on seeing a lot of Scarlett Johansson in the months to come. Not only is the buxom beauty starring in The Nanny Diaries, which opens next week, but she's lined up three more projects to film over the next year, says The Hollywood Reporter.

  She is yet another in the line of stars to sign on for a part in Ken Kwapis's He's Just Not That Into You, which seems to be becoming a bigger deal by the day. Just yesterday, the news was that Jennifer Aniston would be joining the cast, which already includes Drew Barrymore and Jennifer Connelly, amongst others. In it, Johansson will play a singer/pilates instructor who has an affair with a married man.

  She has also signed on for Frank Miller's adaptation of the noir comic strip Will Eisner's The Spirit. Johansson will star opposite Gabriel Macht (Because I Said So, The Good Shepherd) as Silk N. Floss, a smart sexy secretary who backs up baddie, The Octopus (Samuel L. Jackson).

  To complete the hat trick, Johansson will also be starring in Mary Queen of Scots, a biopic centering around the Scottish monarch's romance with the Earl of Bothwell and rivalry with her half-brother James. The indie costume drama will be directed by John Curran (The Painted Veil).

  In other news, Djimon Hounsou (Blood Diamond, In America), Dakota Fanning (Charlotte's Web, War of the Worlds), Chris Evans (The Nanny Diaries, Fantastic Four), and Camilla Belle (The Ballad of Jack and Rose) will be toplining Push, a new thriller that starts shooting next month in China.

  Push will follow the story of a group of clairvoyant American ex-pats hiding out from the U.S. government in Hong Kong, says Variety. It will be directed by Paul McGuigan (Lucky Number Slevin).

  
  

  Posted 08/17/2007 by reelz

  Related: Camilla Belle | Dakota Fanning | Scarlett Johansson | Paul McGuigan | Chris Evans | John Curran | Mary Queen of Scots | Will Eisner's The Spirit | He's Just Not That Into You | Push

Monday, July 30

• Blonde ambition: Scarlett, Paris and Allen

  Hollywood.com is reporting that Scarlett Johansson (Lost in Translation, Match Point) has been tapped to star in a film adaptation of porn star Jenna Jameson's biography, How to Make Love Like a Porn Star. Word ist that Jameson personally picked the buxom 22-year-old to play her.

  However, People is stating that Johansson's rep is denying that she has been cast, or that she has even seen a script. Says the rep: "She has no interest in playing the role."

  And speaking of famous blondes, Paris Hilton has signed on to join Paul Sorvino (Nixon, Bulworth) and Alexa Vega (Spy Kids, The Deep End of the Ocean) in the cast Repo! The Genetic Opera reports Variety. 

  Directed by Darren Lynn Bousman (Saw), Repo! is a thriller/musical set in 2056 when the only humans who can survive a plague are those that can afford organ transplants. Hilton, who will sing in the piece, plays the daughter of an organ transplant magnate. Sounds interesting...

  And finally, MTV reports that Tyrese Gibson (Transformers) and the unlikely Joan Allen (The Contender, Pleasantville) will be joining Jason Statham (Crank, The Italian Job) in Death Race 3000, Paul W.S. Anderson's remake of the 1975 David Carradine and Sylvester Stallone cult classic.

  Gibson and Statham will play two tough guys (in a cross country race where you score points by running over pedestrians) who have to go up against Allen. Said Anderson of his female lead: "She kicks the most ass out of everybody."

  
  

  Posted 07/30/2007 by reelz

  Related: Jason Statham | Scarlett Johansson | Tyrese Gibson | Paul W.S. Anderson | Jenna Jameson | Paris Hilton | Paul Sorvino | Alexa Vega | Darren Lynn Bousman | Joan Allen | Repo! The Genetic Opera | Untitled Jenna Jameson project | Death Race 3000

Thursday, July 19

• Date changes for Nanny Diaries, Monsters vs. Aliens

  The adaptation of the 2003 bestselling roman a clef The Nanny Diaries has had its opening date changed--again.

  The Scarlett Johansson comedy, which was originally slated to open months ago was originally moved to September 7. But now, thanks to a desire not to open against the potential Oscar-contender 3:10 to Yuma (a Western with Christian Bale and Russell Crowe), the opening date for The Nanny Diaries has been moved up to August 24.

  Juggling dates is traditionally not a good sign for a movie, but The Weinstein Company stands behind its product.

  Elsewhere in Hollywood, the opening date for the 3-D Dreamworks cartoon Monsters vs. Aliens has been changed to May 15--2009-- to avoid going up against Avatar, the first James Cameron feature project since Titanic.

  Monsters vs. Aliens is a remake of the 1950s movie, and will be directed by Conrad Vernon (Shrek 2) and Rob Letterman (Shark Tale). Avatar will feature CGI and live action.

  Source: Variety.

  
  

  Posted 07/19/2007 by reelz

  Related: Conrad Vernon | James Cameron | Rob Letterman | Scarlett Johansson | The Nanny Diaries | Monsters vs. Aliens | Avatar

Monday, July 2

• Woody Goes to Barcelona   

  Variety reports that Woody Allen unveiled some casting details for his latest flick, which has been described by Allen as a "love letter to Barcelona."

  “I hope I can present Barcelona to the world as I see it, the same way I presented Manhattan to the world as I saw it with my eyes,” Allen said of the film, which will shoots in Spain this summer.

  The primary cast includes Scarlett Johansson , Javier Bardem and Penelope Cruz. Today Allen also announced that Patricia Clarkson, Kevin Dunn and Chris Messina have also joined the cast.

  
  

  Posted 07/02/2007 by reelz

  Related: Javier Bardem | Scarlett Johansson | Woody Allen | Patricia Clarkson | Penelope Cruz

Thursday, March 29

• Dear Diary: I've been postponed

  Chick-lit fans, Scarlett Johansson devotees, and vengeful former employees alike will be crushed to hear that the all-powerful Weinstein brothers have decided to keep the much anticipated The Nanny Diaries to themselves for just a little bit longer.

  The movie, which is based on the best-selling novel of the same name, was originally supposed to come out next month. Now, however, The Nanny Diaries won't be coming to theaters until September.

  While a studio's postponing a movie is usually a bad sign (if you like watchable movies, that is), it is also true that studios like to release their heavy-hitters in the fall -- all the better for awards season consideration.

  Given the hype that the similar The Devil Wears Prada received in 2006, it is likely that the Weinsteins are hoping The Nanny Diaries will fare equally well. Either that, or they just want something good to watch in the theater while they're waiting to break the fast on Yom Kippur.

  
  
  Next Showing: The Nanny Diaries premieres at the 2007 Venice Film Festival

  Posted 03/29/2007 by reelz

  Related: Harvey Weinstein | Scarlett Johansson