Continuing Marvel’s incredible casting choices, the studio is in talks with Jessica Chastain (Take Shelter, The Help) to star opposite Robert Downey, Jr. in Iron Man 3. The actress would be the latest A-list talent attracted to the project, following Sir Ben Kingsley’s rumored appearance as the villain and last week’s announcement that Guy Pearce is eyeing a role as a geneticist in the film. More after the jump.
Chastain, a fantastic actress who burst onto the scene by showing incredible range in seven films in the year 2011, will play “a sexy scientist every bit as smart as Tony Stark.” Deadline has the story, and gives us a rundown of the casting process that once included Chastain, but because of scheduling conflicts, she had to leave the project. Now those conflicts have been resolved, and though other high-profile actresses were sought for the role during this interim period, now that Chastain’s schedule is open again it’s expected that the actress will sign on the dotted line soon.
Shane Black wrote and will direct Iron Man 3, with Downey, Gwenyth Paltrow, and Don Cheadle confirmed to reprise their roles from Iron Man 2.
