Scar-Jo is the Black Widow in Iron Man 2

Scarlett Johansson signed to play Black Widow in Iron Man 2 on Wednesday, according to Mark Malkin’s blog on E! Online. The signing confirms rumors that began last month when Emily Blunt, who was originally signed for the role, ran into a scheduling conflict.

The cast also includes Mickey Rourke and Samuel Jackson, in addition to Robert Downey Jr.

Marvel Retools Movie Schedule

Marvel announced Thursday morning that it is rescheduling three of its upcoming films to allow a longer run-up to its Avengers film, which was moved back from July 15 of 2011 to May 4, 2012. Thor was moved back from July 16, 2010 to June 17, 2011. The First Avenger: Captain America was moved back to July 22, 2011 from May 6, 2011.

Iron Man 2’s release date remains unchanged: May 7, 2010.

And Marvel confirmed that Spider-Man 4 will release May 6, 2011.

The changes give Marvel the first weekend in May for the next four years (X-Men Origins: Wolverine opens May 1st of this year).

Fury in Nine Marvel Films

Samuel L. Jackson has been signed to play Nick Fury in up to nine Marvel films, according to the Hollywood trades. At one point, negotiations had “broken down,” according to Jackson, but the longer deal apparently made things work for both sides.

The films will include Iron Man 2, Thor, Captain America, Avengers, and potentially a starring role in a S.H.I.E.L.D. movie.

Marvel Confirms Film Movie Details

David Maisel, chairman of Marvel Studios, told reporters that the success of the 2008 theatrical and DVD releases of Iron Man and The Incredible Hulk paves the way for a slew of sequels and new films based on Marvel Comics properties and characters. Among those in the works are Iron Man 2, Thor, The First Avenger: Captain America and The Avengers, Maisel confirmed in a conference call with reporters on Nov. 4 to discuss the company's third-quarter earnings.

As previously reported, Maisel also said that Marvel Studios will, for cost efficiency purposes, relocate its headquarters to the Raleigh Studios facility in Manhattan Beach, Calif. All the upcoming movies will be shot at Raleigh Studios, with post-production work done there as well.

"2010 is scheduled to bring Iron Man 2 and Thor, while 2011 has The First Avenger: Captain America and the Avengers movie," Maisel said. "We've announced Robert Downey Jr. will star in both Iron Man 2 and The Avengers and Jon Favreau will direct Iron Man 2 and executive-produce The Avengers. We will be making other talent and director announcements as these deals are finalized."

Iron Man star Robert Downey Jr. will be back for the sequel and for an Avengers movie.

Maisel added, "On one other note, by 2010 we also expect that our Spider-Man Broadway musical will premiere on Broadway. This is the musical directed by Julie Taymor, the director of The Lion King, with music written by Bono and The Edge from the rock band U2. In keeping with our conservative fiscal approach, we are not funding the show, but we are co-producing it and have a meaningful first-dollar gross participation, which could create significant upside if the show is successful and spawns multiple touring companies around the world."

Addressing the move to Raleigh Studios, Maisel said that, in addition to housing Marvel's studio headquarters on the premises, they will also have dedicated sound stages and pre- and post-production areas where the next four Marvel movies will be developed and shot.

"That's a significant move on Marvel, a significant investment in space," Maisel said. "We believe that by doing that, we will not only have cost efficiencies by being able to have all the productions under one roof and negotiate various volume discounts and other sorts of cost efficiencies, but also hopefully continue and have a better probability of having the quality that we all saw this past summer in the movies by being the hands-on producers, as we were with Iron Man and The Incredible Hulk."

In a press release issued in conjunction with the earnings call, Marvel Entertainment also confirmed the tentative release dates for company's upcoming film productions. Iron Man 2 is scheduled for a May 7, 2010, release, followed by Thor on July 16, 2010, The First Avenger: Captain America on May 6, 2011, and The Avengers on July 15, 2011. --Ian Spelling

Cheadle to follow "Iron Man" with "Avengers"

*Don Cheadle will see his new role of Jim Rhodes/War Machine in "Iron Man 2" continue on in "Iron Man 3," as well as "The Avengers," Marvel Studios' upcoming film about its team of superheroes.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Cheadle signed on to perform in the action flick after his deal to replace Terrence Howard in the "Iron Man" movies was finalized.

Marvel's current slate is designed to introduce superhero characters via individual movies that lead up to the characters teaming up for "Avengers," which is set for a release in 2011.
Downey and Cheadle are the first stars to sign on for "Avengers," whose team roster features such heroes as Iron Man, Captain American, Hulk, Wasp, Giant Man, Hawkeye and Thor. Edward Norton portrayed Bruce Banner/Hulk in "Hulk," but the actor-writer-director clashed with the studio over the movie's cut. It is unclear whether Norton will return for "Avengers."

Don Cheadle Replaces Terrence Howard in 'Iron Man 2'

According to The Hollywood Reporter it will be Don Cheadle, not Terrence Howard, who will play Jim Rhodes (aka War Machine) in Iron Man 2. James Rupert Rhodes, who is one of Tony Stark’s closest confidants in the Iron Man comic series and who actually took over the mantle of Iron Man when Tony Stark lapsed into alcoholism, will likely play a larger role in Iron Man 2, something that was alluded to directly in the first film when Rhodes, played by Terrence Howard, looked longingly at the Iron Man suit and said, “Next time.”

Unfortunately, it won’t be Howard who gets to enjoy the expanded role. According to The Reporter “sources close to the deal said negotiations with Howard fell through over financial differences, among other reasons.” Cheadle, who was nominated for an Academy Award for his work in Hotel Rwanda and played memorable roles in Traffic, Out of Sight, and Crash, is one of the most highly regarded actors in Hollywood and certainly represents a continuation of the use of “A-list” actors in Marvel Studios’ films, something that was especially apparent in Iron Man (see “Heavy Metal Rules the DVD Charts”).

Robert Downey Jr. is expected to reprise his role as Tony Stark in Iron Man 2 and Gwyneth Paltrow will also be back as Pepper Potts. Director Jon Favreau is already signed for the sequel, which Justin Theroux is writing. The problem with sequels to extremely successful movies is that the folks involved on both sides of the camera quite naturally want a bigger share of the pie, which drives up production costs and makes the sort of financial success enjoyed by the original film a very difficult feat to duplicate.