Iron Man 3's Black Widow Blackout: Scarlett Johansson Skipping Out on Flick?

Actress reportedly says she won't be returning for the blockbuster franchise's third outing, but hints that she'd be up for a spin-off about the catsuit-clad superhero

By Alexis L. Loinaz Apr 26, 2012 12:48 PMTags
Scarlett Johansson, Iron Man 2Paramount Pictures

Looks like Scarlett Johansson won't be an Iron lady.

Iron Man 3's Robert Downey Jr. already has his hands full with two sexy gals, following recent casting news that Jessica Chastain will be joining Gwyneth Paltrow in vying for the superhero's attention in the sequel, which hits theaters next year.

But is three a crowd?

Possibly so, says ScarJo...

The actress, who memorably slinked her way into Iron Man 2 as catsuit-clad Black Widow, reportedly tells Screen Rant that she will not be returning for the blockbuster franchise's third outing.

Hear that? That was the sound of a gazillion fanboys' hearts sinking.

The star's rep confirms to E! News that Johansson was never a part of Iron Man 3.

Casting for the flick has been ramping up, and it's recently added thesps like Ben Kingsley and Guy Pearce, in addition to Chastain. There's be no indication so far, though, that Johansson will be making a return engagement.

But perk up, peeps: The actress—who'll be unleashing her killer Black Widow moves in The Avengers, which opens next week—hints that she'd be more that game for a Black Widow spin-off...and even has an idea about how to spiff it up.

"I think that you build this character in the hopes that the fans are like, 'We want more,'" she says. "I personally think there's an awesome Black Widow movie in there, that is like a kind of Bourne type of film, that would take the whole comic-book genre in a completely different direction."

ScarJo seems pretty serious about the possible gig: She's even pitched it to studio suits.

"I've spoken to Marvel about it—there's so much story there to draw from. I think it would be totally awesome."

Uh-huh: We do, too. Somebody please get that catsuit to the cleaners!