Nikki Finke’s Deadline Hollywood Daily blog is reporting that Mickey Rourke, nominated for a best actor Oscar this year for his role in The Wrestler, has signed on to play the Russian villain Crimson Dynamo in Iron Man 2.
The deal, long rumored, came about after Marvel Studios raised significantly its initial lowball offer to the actor, the blog reports. A similar situation unfolded in the studio’s courting of actor Samuel L. Jackson to reprise the role of Nick Fury, with the studio and actor eventually agreeing on a deal that will see Jackson play the part in as many as nine Marvel Studios films.
The blog also reports that Scarlet Johannson has signed on to play the sexy assassin Black Widow in the sequel. Reports on this case indicate Johannson will take the part for a relatively low fee. The role of Black Widow was originally rumored to be going to Emily Blunt, who had to withdraw from consideration due to a scheduling conflict.
Iron Man 2 is due in theaters in 2010, with shooting scheduled to begin shortly with returning stars Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow and director Jon Favreau.
