[Update: Rebecca Hall (The Town) is now up for the role.]
Superhero movies are on the up and up, especially for Marvel Studios who managed to break the record for the biggest weekend opening ever with The Avengers. With the team-up film’s release, Marvel has successfully completed their first set of films and established their brand among the industry’s biggest.
With the success of The Avengers and three solo character sequels on the way over the next two years, there’s so much more to come, but will they be able to top The Avengers? Their first attempt to comes next summer with Iron Man 3, a film which begins shooting this month and one that needs to quickly find a replacement actress.
After the wonderful news of Oscar-winner Sir Ben Kingsley reportedly joining Iron Man 3 as its villain was followed by Guy Pearce joining the cast as geneticist Aldrich Killian, the cast of Iron Man 3 almost got even more impressive when Oscar nominee Jessica Chastain entered talks with Marvel Studios to play another lead character. The character was described as a “sexy” and ‘smart” scientist and Chastain – who enjoyed a career year in 2011 with The Debt, Take Shelter, The Help, The Tree of Life and The Texas Killing Fields - was reportedly the top pick over Diane Kruger, Gemma Arterton and Isla Fisher who were shortlisted for the part as well.
With casting report after interview after rumor all pointing towards Iron Man 3 following the story of Warren Ellis’ “Extremis” storyline from the comics, it was clear that the part Chastain was up for was that of Maya Hansen, another love interest for Tony Stark who happens to be the scientist behind the Extremis tech. In the books, she allies and helps out Tony Stark, eventually joining the S.H.I.E.L.D. organization.
As it turns out, her schedule is simply too busy and Chastain posted the following on her Facebook page:
“Sorry to say that Iron Man 3 isn’t going to work out. My schedule is jammed packed and I can’t fit anything else in. The press announced my possible attachment far too soon. I know many of you wanted me to be involved, and I’m so sorry to disappoint you. Hopefully there’ll be another Marvel film in my future. Shane Black and everyone on the IM3 team are really wonderful. I’m very excited to see the film when it comes out. xx”
Chastain is not leaving on bad terms by any means and I’m sure Marvel Studios would like to work with her as much as she wants to work with them in the future. That being said, this is a big hole to fill last minute, so could we see one of the other shortlisted names jump into the role or someone else entirely?
Whoever plays Maya Hansen might be joining Ben Kingsley, Guy Pearce, Andy Lau and returnees Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow and Don Cheadle.
Iron Man 3 begins principal photography in May and is scheduled to hit theaters on May 3, 2013. Thor 2 comes later that fall and Captain America 2 the following spring.
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Follow Rob on Twitter @rob_keyes if want to chat Marvel.
Source: Jessica Chastain
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This one’s for you, Neal!
LoL How Long is this going to last???? hahaha
As long as Avengers keep the biggest opening weekend ever. Once another film acquires that honor, we’ll stop.
What about pepper?
She’s still there. Expect love triangle issues
man this chick could have hit fame big doing a Ironman film,Pretty but who is she exactly?
In 2011, Chastain was in:
The Debt, Take Shelter, The Help, The Tree of Life, The Texas Killing Fields.
Lots coming up this year too:
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1567113/
How does someone calling themselves Film Fan not know who Jessica Chastain is after the massive year she just had?
She’s one of the best young actresses working in this business today, thats who she is.
I would say experience wise Kruger would be the best choice, if they wanted someone more for their looks (not saying Ms. Kruger isn’t attractive) then Gemma Arterton for sure IMO of course. Not really sure about Isla Fisher, was she in Wedding Crashers? If so then that’s the only I have seen her in and can’t really give an opinion on her.
I’d like to see Emily Blunt cast as Maya Hansen.. She was supposed to be Black Widow in Iron Man 2 until scheduling conflicts forced her to drop it. That role now belongs to Scarlett Johansson.
Here Here!!
I’d love to see Emily Blunt.
But if we had to pick from the short list I’d say Diane Kruger. She has that sexy scientist look already, so she’d fit right in.
well as long as no one is getting recasted. pisses me off when marvel does that!
i would rather see her as Scarlet Witch…preferbly in a cameo role ala Hawkeye or Black Widow….maybe start out as a bad guy,have her brother in a slight smaller role..to cause problems for Tony Stark..
Bummer but hopefully Kruger will join har always been a fan and arteron. Anyways looking forward to iron man 3.
Avengers was incredible btw. Literally a dream come true.
The Texas Killing Fields – was reportedly the top pick over Diane Kruger, Gemma Arterton and Isla Fisher who were shortlisted for the part as well.
That’s a bummer. Castain would have been perfect IMO
Still, we do have Sir Ben Kinglsey and Guy Pearce.
I wonder who’s going to take up the role of Maya Hansen now…
I’m surprised that ScreenRant hasn’t reported on this yet though:
http://www.superherohype.com/news/articles/170511-exclusive-sir-ben-kingsleys-character-still-in-qearly-stagesq
Quite strange that Kingsley calls IM3 “still early days” – I mean, they start filming in a few weeks.
Ozfilmfan, i like good films. i don’t waste my time with crap and i don’t watch everything. some things do get passed me, i do have a life beyond other things.thats all i will say,im not here to fight so don’t attack me.
Gemma Arterton please! She needs to be in more movies!
Gemma Arterton is in alot of movies she starring in Byzantium and Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters
This is not a big of a deal too many hot actresses out there, how about Gemma Arterton (I personally have a crush on her)
Diane Kruger !!!
Diane Kruger !!!!!!
Diane Kruger !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Iron-Man-3-May-Replace-Jessica-Chastain-With-Rebecca-Hall-30833.html
found this and oddly enough the this potential candidate wasn’t even on the short list, its Rebecca Hall from the Prestige and the Town if you don’t want to read the article;)
The only thing that doesn’t make sense with their decision with The Mandarin is that he doesn’t have to look like the stereotypical Fu Man Chu caricature. Just put him in a nice two piece suit like the ones that Tony wears, make him very eloquent classy and charming and that’s it. As far as putting Chinese people in a bad light, if the character is Chinese and he’s a villain but you have good guy Chinese people helping Iron Man and others then that should speak for itself. There are good and bad people in every race and every where. That was a stupid unnecessary decision to purposefully make the Mandarin non-Chinese. Lord knows, I’m sure that there was a perfect actor just waiting for that role like Tom Hiddleston did with Loki.