Recent reports have confirmed that the latest actors to sign on for Iron Man 2 are Mickey Rourke and Sam Rockwell (speculated to be portraying the Crimson Dynamo and Justin Hammer respectively) as well as Emily Blunt as the Russian spy Natasha Romanoff, a.k.a., The Black Widow. Rourke is hot off his heels from picking up a Golden Globe for his performance in The Wrestler, so he’s a hot potato right now. If he brings the same kind of performance to Iron Man, he may follow in Heath Ledger’s wake by continuing to bring the heavy hitting acting chops to the action/adventure genre.

Story details for the sequel are scarce, but the inclusion of Black Widow would further develop the Avenger Initiative storyline that was established in Sam Jackson’s cameo at the end of the Iron Man credits (as well as Robert Downey Jr.’s cameo at the end of the Incredible Hulk), as Black Widow is a member of the team in the comics. This is bittersweet though, as Jackson has indicated that he may not be returning to the role of Nick Fury in light of financial difficulties at Marvel. However, if they can afford to bring in current hot shot Mickey Rourke, as well as A-lister Don Cheadle, AND Gwyneth Paltrow, why not Jackson as well? Here’s hoping this ‘financial crisis’ at Marvel talk is all BS.