Rebecca Hall Replaces Jessica Chastain in Iron Man 3
Posted 05.08.12 by Ryan
Well, that was fast. Just days after Jessica Chastain (The Help) decided to drop out of consideration (again) for a role in the upcoming Iron Man 3, a replacement has already been found.
Deadline reports that British actress Rebecca Hall is in talks to replace Chastain, in a role that was previously described as a "sexy scientist every bit as smart" as Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.). Interestingly, when Chastain was reportedly offered the role, the other contenders included Isla Fisher, Diane Kruger, and Gemma Arterton, but not Hall.
While it hasn't been officially announced, Hall's character is likely Maya Hansen, who features in the Extremis storyline from the comic books that has already helped inspire sequences from Iron Man, Iron Man 2 and, now, Iron Man 3, as the iron-clad hero fights to stop the spread of a virus using nanotechnology. Hall joins a cast that also includes newcomers Ben Kingsley as a mysterious villain and Guy Pearce as geneticist Aldrich Killian.
Iron Man 3 will start shooting later this month in North Carolina before heading over to China. Shane Black (Kiss Kiss Bang Bang) is directing from a script he co-wrote with Drew Pearce. Gwyneth Paltrow and Don Cheadle will reprise their roles as Pepper Potts and Lt. James "Rhodey" Rhodes, aka War Machine, respectively. Hong Kong superstar Andy Lau is still rumored to be up for a role, but no confirmation has been given so far.
Next Showing: Iron Man 3 is scheduled to open May 3, 2013