Scarlett Johansson is the Black Widow

[Chewy]

I've already posted my scoop that Mickey Rourke will play the Russian villain in Iron Man 2 in a deal that started out lowball and went up a lot. Now I'm told that Emily Blunt (http://forums.superherohype.com/showthread.php?t=317899&page=17#) won't be in the sequel and Black Widow will now be played by Scarlett Johannson. Interesting because Scarlett actually screen-tested for the role and didn't get it. But I hear that, unlike Mickey's quote, the deal for her is "just the opposite, a terrible deal made by CAA," one of my insiders says. "It's as bad as any deal that I've heard. It's lowball money. And it ties her to countless movies, including that ensemble The Avengers, which is what makes this brutal for a lot of actors." As for Blunt, I'm told she fell out not by choice but only because Fox exercised an option that the studio had from The Devil Wears Prada to make her do the upcoming film starring Jack Black, Gullivers Travels.

SOURCE (http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/another-iron-man-2-exclusive-scarlett-johannson-will-replace-emily-blunt-in-iron-man-2/)

[Majik1387]

Boo again.:down

[BETArayBill]

yuck

[ross2287]

Emily Blunt would have been better.
800th post!

[Wesley Dodds]

NO! Blunt was perfect! PERFECT, I say! Johannson is just a nice rack.

[[A]]

s**t. and I really wanted to see this one..

[terry78]

I actually am for this. I want to see what she can do with this role. She's always had this "indie hipster" mindset about her, and how she's an old soul, I want to see her put all that energy into this character.

[[A]]

^ you definitely get the good stuff

[griffolyon12]

While I would have preferred Blunt, Johannson might surprise. I've never been too impressed with her acting chops, but the times I've really enjoyed her was when she was playing similar roles. So I guess we'll see.

[smooth3006]

Johannson is just a nice rack.


scarlett is hott, im happy about this. :grin:

[bigsams50]

Oh yea, a real nice rack

[Compi716]

Bleh.

[smooth3006]

Oh yea, a real nice rack


ryan reynolds is a lucky man. :cwink:


http://scarlettjohansson.celebden.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/10/scarlett-johansson-009.jpg

[Hunter Rider]

This and the Rourke news really have peaked my interest in IM2, she is a fine young actress IMO and this is a fresh type of role for her. :up:

[WillardNation]

at first I didn't think she was right for this role but after much thought, I have faith in Favreau. I don't think he would cast somebody unless he really thought they would be good and with him behind the wheel I know this movie is going to be just as awesome as the last one, if not more.

[[A]]

thank <whatever> you guys don't run hollywood

[FlawlessVictory]

Eh.

I just hope I don't hear Favreau say that he always envisioned Scarlett as BW from the beginning. :o:woot:

[Hunter Rider]

thank <whatever> you guys don't run hollywood

B/c I have a different opinion to you ? :huh:

[Darth Elektra]

Johannson isn't the right choice imo. Hopefully she'll prove me wrong!

I want to be wrong.

[TheComicbookKid]

I hope her Russian accent doesn't sound lame.

[Chewy]

It probably will

[FaT_tONle]

Great... so it is confirmed... and yeah the accent will be about as bad as you can get... no way she will even come close to perfecting it with three months to go... commercial hire for sure. And interesting about this report... a "terrible deal that includes mutliple pictures"??? We heard about the nine pictures but I am curious as to why else this was a terrible deal? I mean she only has to be in one Avengers movie really... maybe two tops. I wonder what else Marvel has in store for the character down the line.

[Chris B]

at first I didn't think she was right for this role but after much thought, I have faith in Favreau. I don't think he would cast somebody unless he really thought they would be good and with him behind the wheel I know this movie is going to be just as awesome as the last one, if not more.

I agree with this. If Favreau sees something in her that we don't, then I'm willing to keep an open mind.

Though Blunt would've been a lot better. But leave it to Fox to screw up a good thing.

[Darth Elektra]

I hope her Russian accent doesn't sound lame.

It probably will

Great... so it is confirmed... and yeah the accent will be about as bad as you can get... no way she will even come close to perfecting it with three months to go... commercial hire for sure.

I concur.

...Leave it to Fox to screw up a good thing.

You said it. :csad:

[smooth3006]

It probably will


don't be so negative, give it a chance, you may be surprised. :cwink:

[Hunter Rider]

So Blunt's Russian accent would have been awesome with the extra week she had before Scarlett's name came into the frame ? :huh:

[terry78]

So Blunt's Russian accent would have been awesome with the extra week she had before Scarlett's name came into the frame ? :huh:

LOL, I was about to say that. I think fanboys tend to assume you guys across the pond over there can hook up accents just like that, for some reason.

[TheComicbookKid]

It probably will

Thank you for the buzzkill Mr. Buzzkillington.:woot::csad:

[Cosmic]

Emily Blunt would've been perfect.

[FaT_tONle]

Scarlett struggles with the English accent.... nuff said...

[louiebling$]

at least she has a reseamblance and shes smoking hott...now im just hoping she can pull off the russian accent and does the role justice :up:

[Hunter Rider]

Scarlett struggles with the English accent.... nuff said...:whatever:

[mclay18]

*shakes head*

There are so many better choices than Johannsen. Johannsen's becoming box office poison and almost all of her good work has been with Woody Allen.

I'll see IM-2, but I'm disappointed with Marvel/Favreau's casting decision on this role.

[terry78]

Honestly, is Blunt that much of a better actress than Scarlett? Be honest. From what you've seen, how much more talent has she got?

[PWN3R]

I like the decision, although Blunt would have been fantastic. Johansson is not only absolutely gorgeous, but she can act too.

[haephestus]

Not a big fan of Johansson.

The only thing I ever notice when she's in a film is her chest - because that's pretty much the only pleasurable distraction from her bland face and inane attempts at "acting".

Still, if Ryan Reynolds and Favreau can see something in her, then I remain hopeful. I certainly cannot see Favreau compromising his otherwise excellent cast with one "weak link" simply because of her placement on the latest FMH/Maxim "hottest 100 girls" list.

I hope they avoid any attempts at a Russian accent though. I realise that's probably blasphemous, but I'd much rather Johansson concentrate on her acting and little things like "emoting" with something other than her heaving bosoms, instead of trying (and failing) to do a Russian accent.

Cheers.

[irapogi]

the way i read it, they hired her cos shes cheap. so they had to up their offers for slj and rourke, but since sjo's dirt cheap, they got her? at least thats what i think it says. someone enlighten me.

[The Dude]

the way i read it, they hired her cos shes cheap. so they had to up their offers for slj and rourke, but since sjo's dirt cheap, they got her? at least thats what i think it says. someone enlighten me.

I wouldn't say that she's cheap, I just think that the article said that they got her for far less than she was expected to go for.
However if the deal was total garbage then she would have rejected it outright or negotiated more (ala Rourke)

[Hunter Rider]

It has been said that most actors outside of the really big names are taking pay cuts due to the recession.

[The Dude]

It has been said that most actors outside of the really big names are taking pay cuts due to the recession.
Reasonable. After all do we really need Jessica Alba being payed 10 million dollars to stand on screen with all the presence and emotional range of a piece of wood. Granted it's a fine looking piece of wood but still.

[KBX]

Is she contracted for the Avengers film?

[louiebling$]

We could only assume yes.

[chris moore]

I can see her pulling it off well. She might be more known for her cheesecake image of late. But Romanov is supposed to be part spy, part assassin, part seductress; but with a noble, softer side.

[Casius--J]

Not so sure about this casting still, but she's pretty so i guess thats something haha.

No seriously she can pull off a good performance now and then so hopefully this will be one of those good perfomances.

[chamber-music]

Honestly, is Blunt that much of a better actress than Scarlett? Be honest. From what you've seen, how much more talent has she got?

Have you seen 'My Summer Of Love'?
Blunt was really good in that.

Meh. Would of liked Blunt but I'll see what Johannson can do with the role. Damn you Fox once again they do over another comic franchise.

[zeptron]

Meh.:down

[CalebYourMaster]

she has a great body....:up:

[[A]]

because that's more important than acting skills. facepalm overload, man

[PyroChamber]

I guess this means she'll have to become a redhead now.

So does this mean she'll sign on for some of the other movies they'll be doing with Marvel, or is it just for Iron Man 2 for now?

[The Major]

I like the decision, although Blunt would have been fantastic. Johansson is not only absolutely gorgeous, but she can act too.
She can act, I am just skeptical she can do a good Black Widow. Some roles are harder then others. She hasn't given me the impression she could be an impressive ultra-smart fighter from her movies. This role is where they need an actress like Jennifer Garner, which I don't think Johannsen is as talented as. Hopefully I'm wrong about her.

[nightwing06]

I think Favreau will get a good performance out of her
Cant wait to see Johansson as a red head and in skin tight leather

[bapi]

Bad choice.

[Kanon]

The Marvel Age of movies keeps getting better and better!

[Carlo Comicus]

Horrible choice. The worst actress of the universe.

[dark_b]

she will only be eye candy in this movie. you think she will have an important role?

[R_Hythlodeus]

Wow. Nice news to wake up with. Now I´m really looking forward to Iron Man 2

She was born to play that role (although I would have prefered her to be Catwoman)

[Keyser Soze]

So Emily Blunt wanted to do Iron Man 2, but Fox exercised an option in her contract to make her do Gulliver's Travels instead?

Boy, Fox are really endearing themselves to the comic fanboys these days, aren't they?

[fu manchu]

although, i like to see Blunt in the role, but i think i like this choice. she's pretty, a good actress, and i can't doubt Favreau.


Cant wait to see Johansson as a red head and in skin tight leather
yeah, looking forward to that first photo.

Horrible choice. The worst actress of the universe.
:whatever:...there are much worst actress than scar jo.

[Kanon]

So Emily Blunt wanted to do Iron Man 2, but Fox exercised an option in her contract to make her do Gulliver's Travels instead?

Boy, Fox are really endearing themselves to the comic fanboys these days, aren't they?

First Watchmen, now this... the evil ways of Fox knows no limits :oldrazz:

[Wesley Dodds]

Katie Holmes is much worse. Imagine SHE got the job.
Eeeeuuuuchhhh!

[Keyser Soze]

First Watchmen, now this... the evil ways of Fox knows no limits :oldrazz:

I wonder if their production meetings are like Dr. Evil's roundtable in the Austin Powers films?

[Wesley Dodds]

Edit

[Iron_Stark]

I don't know why people are giving ScarJo such a hard time. :whatever:

She's a fine actress, Favs will bring out a good performance from her.

I'm glad she got the part and can't wait to see her in red hair and skin tight suit.

[Wesley Dodds]

I don't know why people are giving ScarJo such a hard time. :whatever:

She's a fine actress, Favs will bring out a good performance from her.

I'm glad she got the part and can't wait to see her in red hair and skin tight suit.

A lot of it has to do with the fact that Emily Blunt was dangled right in front of our faces first, She seemed to be the living, breathing incarnation of Romanov, in the same way RDJ is of Stark PLUS she's a fine actress. THEN, she was snatched (by contractual obligation) away for some crap sounding Jack Black movie and replaced with Scarlet Johanson. An actress whos "in" and got famous by coasting on an air of fake indie cool and having a nice rack.

In the left corner, SJ. In the right corner EB...
Who would you really rather watch in the role?

http://xs137.xs.to/xs137/09114/blackwidow-bluntjohansson837.jpg

[R_Hythlodeus]

A lot of it has to do with the fact that Emily Blunt was dangled right in front of our faces first, She seemed to be the living, breathing incarnation of Romanov, in the same way RDJ is of Stark PLUS she's a fine actress. THEN, she was snatched (by contractual obligation) away for some crap sounding Jack Black movie and replaced with Scarlet Johanson. An actress whos "in" and got by famous by coasting on an air of fake indie cool and having a nice rack.

In the left corner, SJ. In the right corner EB...
Who would you really rather watch in the role?

http://xs137.xs.to/xs137/09114/blackwidow-bluntjohansson837.jpg
Thats easy: Scarlett Johannson. Don´t get me wrong, but at least she can act. (and I haven´t seen any outstandig performance by this other chick)

[Kanon]

I can see the bright side of the nice rack.

[Lobo]

Great... so it is confirmed... and yeah the accent will be about as bad as you can get... no way she will even come close to perfecting it with three months to go... commercial hire for sure. And interesting about this report... a "terrible deal that includes mutliple pictures"??? We heard about the nine pictures but I am curious as to why else this was a terrible deal? I mean she only has to be in one Avengers movie really... maybe two tops. I wonder what else Marvel has in store for the character down the line.

IM2, Avengers, and a Black Widow solo film

Scarlett struggles with the English accent.... nuff said...

Because a Russian speaking English sounds the same as people from England:huh:

Is she contracted for the Avengers film?

Presumably so.

because that's more important than acting skills. facepalm overload, man

This coming from the man who think Anne Hathaway is a horrible actress? :whatever:

[Keyser Soze]

Not to mention the fact that Logan supposedly decapitates Wilson at the end of Wolverine... If true, thats a boycott waiting to happen.

Spoiler much. :huh:

I'm not too bothered, as I don't care much about the movie one way or another. But I'm sure there are others out there trying hard to avoid spoilers, you might wanna edit.

[SuperT]

I guess this means she'll have to become a redhead now.

Isn't Scarlett a natural redhead?! I thought she just dyed her hair blonde.

[chris moore]

I'm surprised no one's put up any manips yet. But for the Johansson/Blunt picture comparison above? You can't use a Greg Land Black Widow pic as the reference. There's a good chance he used Blunt or someone similar to her for his pencils

[Carlo Comicus]

Scarlett is an overestimate actress. It's only a sexy woman with zero talent. Her last movie are horrible: "Nanny Diaries", "The Spirit", "The other boylen Girl"

[Philly Phanboy]

Horrible news. It's like Sue Storm being played by Alba all over again. :csad:

[SuperT]

You people saying she can't act are whacked out!

Have you not seen Match Point, Lost in Translation, Ghost World, Girl with the Pearl Earring (GG nomination), A Love Song for Bobby Long (GG Nomination), Vicky Cristina Barcelona...I could go on and on.

[R_Hythlodeus]

well the same could be said about Blunt but in Blunts case it would be true.
Scarlett is one of the best female actors of her generation as both Lost in Translation and The Girl with the pearl earring prove. Even in minor roles, like her part in The Prestige, she was absolutely marvolous.

[JoeCat]

This gets a :applaud from me.

[jrd550]

I can see the bright side of the nice rack.

I can always see the bright side of the rack!

But truly Blunt would have been better - but Scar Jo will be able to pull it off, I just hope they leave her hair alone - I'm tired of all these actresses having their hair dyed in order to conform to something that Marvel did ages ago - hair color won't make or break the role.

[terry78]

I still don't get why Blunt was better. I've seen ScarJo(I am not going to start calling her that, get that **** out the way right now) in most of her roles, and she's done exceptional in them. I fail to see where fanboys say she falls flat. I saw Blunt in Prada, and again in Charlie Wilson's War.....she was good, but nothing that made me say she's a better actress. I think this just comes down to fanboy wank. Blunt kinda reminds me of Katy Perry anyway, who in turn looks like Zooey Deschanel, so that automatically removes any erection I may have had.

[Gatchamanjp]

Scarlett Johansson is perfect for...The Black Widow. Hopefully she will be in just as many Marvel films as...Sam L. Jackson's Nick Fury is...9.

[Hunter Rider]

I still don't get why Blunt was better. I've seen ScarJo(I am not going to start calling her that, get that **** out the way right now) in most of her roles, and she's done exceptional in them. I fail to see where fanboys say she falls flat. I saw Blunt in Prada, and again in Charlie Wilson's War.....she was good, but nothing that made me say she's a better actress. I think this just comes down to fanboy wank. Blunt kinda reminds me of Katy Perry anyway, who in turn looks like Zooey Deschanel, so that automatically removes any erection I may have had.

That's pretty much on the mark and this thread is the epitome of why we the "fanboys" are the laughing stock and punchline.

[HailtotheKing]

So does this mean that Black Widow is going to go from being a super athletic Russian spy with the agility of a cat to being a gold digging Russian whore that deals in corporate sabotage?

I'm not liking this at all.

[FaT_tONle]

:whatever:

NOOOOOOOOOOO.... the eye roll................... :hehe:

[Hunter Rider]

NOOOOOOOOOOO.... the eye roll................... :hehe:

clicking the smiley is about all the time you're worth. :yay:

[Rac]

I preferred Blunt, but I'm fine with Johansson.

[FaT_tONle]

clicking the smiley is about all the time you're worth. :yay:

Don't swell your fingers clicking on it... :cwink:

[Philly Phanboy]

Scarlett was the biggest name they could get locked up with a long term contract for the smallest amount; and that lame excuse for a casting strategy is what's wrong with this announcement. Boo to stunt casting.

[Obi-Ron]

Hooray for Scarlett kicking ass in leather. :yellow:

[fu manchu]

Scarlett was the biggest name they could get locked up with a long term contract for the smallest amount; and that lame excuse for a casting strategy is what's wrong with this announcement. Boo to stunt casting.
how is that lame?? getting a big name on the cheap sounds like a great investment. :huh:

[C. Lee]

This sounds pretty good to me. Scarlett is a decent actress and is pretty too.

After reading most of the comments in this thread.....I see that the stand up comics will have plenty of material about comic book fan boys for years to come.

[marcvader]

I still don't get why Blunt was better. I've seen ScarJo(I am not going to start calling her that, get that **** out the way right now) in most of her roles, and she's done exceptional in them. I fail to see where fanboys say she falls flat. I saw Blunt in Prada, and again in Charlie Wilson's War.....she was good, but nothing that made me say she's a better actress. I think this just comes down to fanboy wank. Blunt kinda reminds me of Katy Perry anyway, who in turn looks like Zooey Deschanel, so that automatically removes any erection I may have had.

For me it's not a matter of who is better cause admittedly I've seen enough of Skarlett to say I don't think she's that great an actress. Blunt is just a name given to us fanboys as a starting point. Blunt and Skarlett are vastly different in appearance and image for a Black Widow so there's that as well.

[Majik1387]

So Blunt's Russian accent would have been awesome with the extra week she had before Scarlett's name came into the frame ? :huh:
Regarding accents, Blunt has actually pulled them off in movies she's in. She's done American and a different British accent for another one of her movies.
Scarlet barely changes her voice for any of her roles to differentiate them from each other, so I'll say yes, Blunt would have the better Russian accent.
Wow. Nice news to wake up with. Now I´m really looking forward to Iron Man 2

She was born to play that role
Seriously? Are you sure this isn't your fanboy erection talking?
Horrible news. It's like Sue Storm being played by Alba all over again. :csad:
I wouldn't say horrible, but definitely disappointing and I do agree it's the Jessica Alba thing over again.
Hooray for Scarlett kicking ass in leather. :yellow:
Because that's all that matters.:whatever:

[Yellow Cyclone]

Horrible news. It's like Sue Storm being played by Alba all over again. :csad:

kidding right? she's 100 times the actress alba is :huh:

[DocHoliday]

Don't get me wrong, I do not hate Scarlett Jo. Here's the thing, her track record on big films haven't exactly set the world on fire (The Spirit) even though some of her smaller work has been genuinely good. I don't know if it comes from a lack of good direction (Michael Bay, Frank Miller) or a lack of seriousness (maybe both) but it just isn't good.

For those who question that Blunt was better for the role do remember that report said that Scarlett Jo was tested and passed on which probably means that Favreau wasn't feeling her performance as much as Blunt's. Either way if she was second best out of the bunch then the film should be okay. I wall say that Marvel has to consider this a victory, they get a performer with name recognition on the cheap for extended contract.


In other news I cannot wait for Nick Fury and Black Widow to share the screen, it's a "Spirit" reunion....Yay :whatever:

[Iron_Stark]

This sounds pretty good to me. Scarlett is a decent actress and is pretty too.

After reading most of the comments in this thread.....I see that the stand up comics will have plenty of material about comic book fan boys for years to come.

I say we petition to get Dame Judi Dench to replace ScarJo, because clearly Jon Favreau doesn't know what he's doing.

[Majik1387]

I say we petition to get Helen Mirren to replace ScarJo, because clearly Jon Favreau doesn't know what he's doing.
Fixed. :hehe:

[Wesley Dodds]

Helen Mirren was my favourite to take over from Terrence Howard.

"One is War Machine and one is not amused, tony"

[Iron_Stark]

Yes! Helem Mirren for Black Widow!

[Kal-El 8]

I preferred Blunt, but I'm fine with Johansson.

Same Here.

[dsfjr1190]

Damn, Emily Blunt would have been better.

Thanks a lot, FOX.

[terry78]

I swear, you fools act like they brought Kim Kardashian on to play BW or something. Drama queens.

[Philly Phanboy]

kidding right? she's 100 times the actress alba is :huh:

No I'm not kidding. ScarJo as Black Widow is just as awful as Alba as Sue Storm was. :dry:

Both are cases of young actresses being totally miscast because somebody in the studio's marketing department loves the idea of stunt casting to bolster the movie's credits.

[Brian Braddock]

Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow is a Black Widow that I can live with.

I'm pretty much on the fence here; I'm not gonna go overboard (like some) and immediately assume that she'll be terrible, nor am I gonna assume she'll be amazing.

I'm just gonna see how it goes due to the faith I have in Fav's.

[AVEITWITHJAMON]

Not that big a fan of Scarlett in the looks department to be honest, think her looks are VERY over-rated, but I have never considered her a bad acctress, but she has never blown me away either, so like BB above me, I'm on the fence.

Havent seen enough of Blunt to properly judge either to be honest.

[batman44]

I'm cool with Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow.

[Chewy]

Hollywood Reporter confirms she has signed on
The superheroes will take just a little longer to arrive on the scene. Marvel Entertainment said Thursday morning that it was pushing back by a year a pair of key properties in its comic book franchises "Thor" and "Avengers."

"Thor" will now release on June 17, 2011 (it had previously been scheduled for July 16, 2010), while "Avengers" will hit theaters May 4, 2012 (it had been slotted for July 15, 2011).

Execs did not offer a reason for the deferrals; Marvel Studios chairman David Maisel said only that the move "maximizes the visibility of our single character-focused films, leading to the highly anticipated release of the multicharacter 'The Avengers' film in 2012."

It's likely, however, that the studio wanted to ensure at least one tentpole in as many years as possible. Under the previous schedule, it had nothing slated for 2012. Also, as Maisel suggested, the move gives maximum runway for the characters leading up to "Avengers," which will wrap in roles for many of its top-tier characters.

Had it let the previous dates stand, it would have seen the bunching of two properties (Iron Man and Thor) in 2010 and then three (Captain America, Spider-Man and the multicharacter Avengers) in 2011. Under the new schedule, it will space out the characters more: just one (Iron Man) in 2010, Spider-Man, Thor and Captain America in 2011, and Avengers in 2012.

The studio also announced that it was pushing the release of the Captain America pic, titled "The First Avenger: Captain America," back several months, from May 6, 2011, to July 22, 2011.

That move was not unexpected given that Sony, which is releasing "Spider-Man 4" via its licensing deal with Marvel, is bringing out its pic in May of that year. Marvel clarified on Thursday that that pic will come out on May 6, 2011. It had previously given the month of May but no exact date.

Marvel is pursuing a strategy similar to that of its classic comic books, in which characters frequently cross over between properties. Samuel Jackson recently signed a nine-picture deal to play superhero Nick Fury, who will appear in many of its upcoming pics.

The studio's current priority is "Iron Man 2." Casting is coming together for the project, with Mickey Rourke and Scarlett Johansson recently signing on for the project, which will shoot this year.

SOURCE (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/film/news/e3i24543ccff7b40708dbfd1950c5c77e77)

[GregComicFan]

I don't follow Iron Man comics very closely...

Is Black Widow a potential love interest for Tony Stark? Just wondering because Scarlett has a "youthful" look, in my opinion, and looks way too young for Robert Downey Jr. to be bedding... but thats just me.

[Majik1387]

Black Widow has been with Tony....along with many other Marvel heroes.

[terry78]

I don't follow Iron Man comics very closely...

Is Black Widow a potential love interest for Tony Stark? Just wondering because Scarlett has a "youthful" look, in my opinion, and looks way too young for Robert Downey Jr. to be bedding... but thats just me.

Blunt is one year older than Scarlett. That's another thing I don't get. Don't fault baby girl for aging gracefully. :o

http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/1985/angeleno2ug1.jpg

http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/2214/angeleno3xt3.jpg
http://img212.imageshack.us/img212/5052/event6pq6.jpg




http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v610/permanent-transition/fangrrl/scarlett/scarlett_elle_2007-11_photoshoot002.jpg

[Obi-Ron]

Because that's all that matters.:whatever:

It is to me. Seriously, who gives a crap about the Black Widow?

[batboy99]

Well, many know Im a huge Scarlett fan, but I cant say im thrilled.

There could have been worse, but there could hve been so much better.

Scarlett is a very good actress when she wants to be, so hopefully, she will want to be good in this movie. I have thought about the choice a little since the rumours and I can say I can see her in the role al ittle more, but Blunt would have been my choice out of the two. I trust Favareu though. I mean, I didnt think Paltrow was the best choice for Pepper, but look how that turned out. She was great. I feel the same will happen with Scarlett.

[Cmill216]

This is one of those casting choices where it could have been FAR FAR worse, but it also could've been significantly more inspired.

[batboy99]

Exactly. But I diagree with people saying this is like Alba as Sue.
1. Scarlett can actually act. She can do more roles than just a hot chick
2. Scalrett can look somewhat like the character

And heres a new pic of Scarlett with redish hair
http://www.scarlett-photos.com/albums/Events/2009/03%2002%20Milan%20Fashion%20Week%20-%20Extreme%20Beauty%20In%20Vogue/MilanFashionWeek-ExtremeBeauty_MQ_001.jpg

[CalebYourMaster]

because that's more important than acting skills. facepalm overload, man
it isnt more important...just stating i like her curves :woot:

[Eddie Dean]

Scarlett teaming up with Samuel L. Jackson is going to remind me way too much of The Spirit. :csad:

[Radio_Clash]

She's not the worst actress in the world, I don't mind her, anyway, how major will her role be in Iron Man, because if it's like a minor supporting role to introduce the character then we shouldn't worry too much, anyway, Iron Man is the real sell.

[TheComicbookKid]

This is one of those casting choices where it could have been FAR FAR worse, but it also could've been significantly more inspired.

Really. I mean she was passed over in favor of a no-namer like Blunt. Meaning Emily showed something Scarjo didn't, imo. So going back to her feels like a time crunch issue more than anything else.

This isn't a Heath Ledger situation. That was a once-in-a-lifetime twist on an iconic character. I just don't really get threatening Russian spy from Scarjo. She's more of a by the numbers femme fetale. She distracts with her right boob while killing you with the left one.

[DocHoliday]

Again not saying she'll be bad or great... I just think that some of their concerns (the fanboys) are not invalid. Saying she's a horrible actress is going overboard but she has has given some pretty mediocre performances (Black Dahlia, The Spirit, The Nanny Diaries and yes Eight Legged Freaks). That's not to say she hasn't given good performances too (Match Point, The Horse Whisperer, Vicky Christina Barcelona). She's all over the board.

I think a lot of it is also the fact that fanboys do not like to see polarizing figure portraying their beloved characters. Tom Cruise would have likely given a good performance as Stark as would have Dicaprio as Spider-man. Emily Blunt is not one of those people whose name recognition is bigger than the character itself, Scarlett Jo you can make that argument for. Also Scarlett Jo was clearly not the filmmaker's first choice. Just think of the uproar of them picking their second choice for Rourke's character.

But as long as the role is well written and she is well directed, she should do fine. But to the person that said she should not dye her hair red, that I disagree with you on mate. It's kind of like The Joker having green hair or a purple suit. With Black Widow it is leather and red hair.

[hatebox]

Anticipation of this film just went down a couple notches. Was she really the best ACTRESS they could get?

[Crook]

Really. I mean she was passed over in favor of a no-namer like Blunt. Meaning Emily showed something Scarjo didn't, imo. So going back to her feels like a time crunch issue more than anything else.
All it means is at the very best, Scarlett was the #2 choice. That's really not bad at all. It's not like they lost their top pick so now they're going to the bottom of the barrel.

This isn't a Heath Ledger situation. That was a once-in-a-lifetime twist on an iconic character. I just don't really get threatening Russian spy from Scarjo. She's more of a by the numbers femme fetale. She distracts with her right boob while killing you with the left one.
Eh, I'm willing to give benefit of the doubt here. I didn't see a cold-blooded killer from either Ledger or Haley, at first, yet they were one of the most convincing I've ever seen. Scarlett's very capable when given the material, let's see her try it out before condemning.

And I'm not well versed with Black Widow, but it seems that like most female comic book characters...she's a looker. The only question is if she can pull off the attitude. Scarlett certainly fulfills the looks, imo.

[Iron_Stark]

Anticipation of this film just went down a couple notches. Was she really the best ACTRESS they could get?

I agree was Helen Mirren, Judi Dench or Meryl Streep not available?

[Hypestyle]

ah... make sure that natalia has some slinky outfits..

[tamron]

Scarlett is not who I would have thought of for Black Widow, but I'm cautiously optimistic.

Favreau got a good performance out of Gwy Paltrow in IM, and I've never been too fond of her. I've loved some of Scarlett's performances. Maybe Fav's approach will get the same results with Scarlett.

[Raivynn]

I'm not really overly enthused with ScarJo's casting. But I'll give her the benefit of the doubt. She may surprise.

[Doctor Jones]

I'll wait and see before I pass judgement. I think what we've learned is neer judge an actor for a comic book film, a good actor anyway.

But what I can't wait to see is her in that black leather suit.

[Lobo]

It is to me. Seriously, who gives a crap about the Black Widow?

Me, for one, and I'm sure plenty others.

[The Major]

I swear, you fools act like they brought Kim Kardashian on to play BW or something. Drama queens.
And you're acting like Johanssen is the best actress in Hollywood for the role. She isn't. Hopefully this isn't stunt casting, but it looks very much like it.

[The Major]

This is one of those casting choices where it could have been FAR FAR worse, but it also could've been significantly more inspired.
Agreed.

[The Major]

Scarlett is not who I would have thought of for Black Widow, but I'm cautiously optimistic.

Favreau got a good performance out of Gwy Paltrow in IM, and I've never been too fond of her. I've loved some of Scarlett's performances. Maybe Fav's approach will get the same results with Scarlett.
Black Widow's a much tougher role then Pepper Potts.

[Crook]

And you're acting like Johanssen is the best actress in Hollywood for the role. She isn't. Hopefully this isn't stunt casting, but it looks very much like it.
No one has acted like she is the best in the world. But honestly, for people to complain about this casting is truly confusing for me. The population of actresses fit for this role is already small in the first place. ScarJo fits it, no matter how many disagree with it.

I mean, I could understand the Ledger backlash more, and he's an Oscar nominee!

[hatebox]

I agree was Helen Mirren, Judi Dench or Meryl Streep not available?

You're being facetious. Therefore I win.

Hooray for me.

[Lobo]

And you're acting like Johanssen is the best actress in Hollywood for the role. She isn't. Hopefully this isn't stunt casting, but it looks very much like it.

Maybe we'll find out that she was?

I like Scarlett, and think she's a very good young actress, so I'm supportive. I liked Blunt a bit more, but Fox optioned her to do Gulliver's Travels, so I'm not gonna complain too much about it. They hired a capable actress, not a bikini model.

[DJ Kornphlake]

Aha, I was wondering where all the complainers from the Wolverine board went.

[Chewy]

I think ScarJo's a good actress

She doesn't doesn't like anything like BW. And I don't think she can pull off the accent (she failed to pull off the required accent in that movie with Natalie Portman)

[kedrell]

ScarJo is the kind of actress who does well or poor depending on who's directing her. Thus I am optimistic, because I trust Favs to be a great director.

[Cmill216]

All it means is at the very best, Scarlett was the #2 choice. That's really not bad at all. It's not like they lost their top pick so now they're going to the bottom of the barrel.

That's one way of looking at it.

Another is that she isn't who they wanted or who they ultimately envisioned playing the role. She's simply the next best available option.

[Raiden]

Although I would've love to have Emily Blunt to play BW, I'm okay with the casting of Scarlet Johanssen. ScarJo has done a number of movies to show that she can actually act and act well, like Lost in Transition, and she's not a model who looks pretty but never acted before. They already have one good movie under their belt, and I trust that Favreau will make sure to get IM2 the best treatment possible. And I'm glad ScarJo seems very excited to be part of this movie.

[batboy99]

No one has acted like she is the best in the world. But honestly, for people to complain about this casting is truly confusing for me. The population of actresses fit for this role is already small in the first place. ScarJo fits it, no matter how many disagree with it.

I mean, I could understand the Ledger backlash more, and he's an Oscar nominee!
Couldnt have said it better myself Crook!

[HailtotheKing]

No one has acted like she is the best in the world. But honestly, for people to complain about this casting is truly confusing for me. The population of actresses fit for this role is already small in the first place. ScarJo fits it, no matter how many disagree with it.

I mean, I could understand the Ledger backlash more, and he's an Oscar nominee!

Except the casting opinions for a sexy acrobatic/athletic female Russian spy aren't that small and Scarlett actually doesn't fit it.

Scarlett isn't even confident in herself for action roles which means this has a huge chance of turning out terrible for the character and having her be nothing but a seductress that sleeps with powerful men.

Johansson Apprehensive Over Amazon
Role4 March 2009 4:10 AM, PST | From wenn.com | See recent WENN news


Scarlett Johansson is battling with her own self-confidence to take on the role of a bloodthirsty gladiatrix - because she isn't sure she "fits the mould" of a warrior woman.

The sexy actress has signed a deal to star in Amazon, the story of a female gladiator in 200 BC who takes on the might of an army after her homeland is destroyed.

But although the star has dealt with guns and fight scenes in her previous big screen adventures, she's apprehensive at the prospect of transforming into a tough-girl action star.

She says, "I think I'm supposed to be a gladiatrix. These film guys are crazy about gladiatrixes. But do I fit the mould? I'm a Danish/Jewish girl from New York.

"I've done weapons training. I've fired all kinds of guns; 9mm semi-automatics, machine guns, shotguns. I've jumped off a 60-foot building. I learnt to ride for The Horse Whisperer. But I've never done a full-on action role.

"I guess I'm still waiting for my Cirque du Soleil moment. It would be fun."

[Crook]

That's one way of looking at it.

Another is that she isn't who they wanted or who they ultimately envisioned playing the role. She's simply the next best available option.
Well, let me bring a little more perspective here, since Nolan and Favreau both seem like character-directors, and have relatively taken the same approach to their adaptations. If Nolan had his first choice for every role, it'd have been:

Ra's Al Ghul: Viggo Mortensen
Alfred: Anthony Hopkins
Gordon: Chris Cooper
Harvey Dent: Matt Damon

I'd say those were all pretty significant roles for the past 2 Batman films. And what we got instead, were the "next available options" he could get. Hell, for some of them they weren't even the second or third pick. Yet, we got fabulous performances nonetheless. In large part due to their talent and Nolan's direction. So goes to show how much importance a #1 pick plays into the film. Which is...close to nothing.

Except the casting opinions for a sexy acrobatic/athletic female Russian spy aren't that small and Scarlett actually doesn't fit it.
I'd love for you to list these vast number of capable actresses fit for the role then.

[terry78]

See, the double standard has always been when casting the dudes in superhero flicks, they don't have to look EXACTLY like them, so long as they bring depth to the role, but when it comes to the chicks, not only do they have to bring depth and character, but they damn sure better look JUST like the artist renderings, short of plastic surgery. IF you want someone that looks like most of the comic versions of Natasha Romanova, you best go to Moscow and find a Russian hooker/supermodel, cause that's all you're gonna get that close.

[PyroChamber]

One thing's for sure, Scarlett better start stocking up on comics with Black Widow in them.

[DocHoliday]

See, the double standard has always been when casting the dudes in superhero flicks, they don't have to look EXACTLY like them, so long as they bring depth to the role, but when it comes to the chicks, not only do they have to bring depth and character, but they damn sure better look JUST like the artist renderings, short of plastic surgery. IF you want someone that looks like most of the comic versions of Natasha Romanova, you best go to Moscow and find a Russian hooker/supermodel, cause that's all you're gonna get that close.

You know, I had never thought of that...As I said above Scarlett Jo. needs to have red hair but I also think Stark has to have some kind of facial hair for example. But I think you might be right about the gender thing.

[HailtotheKing]

I'd love for you to list these vast number of capable actresses fit for the role then.

I'm sure anyone I say you'll just say "uninspired" or that they aren't good enough even though you think an a short, slightly pudgy average actress like Scarlett is capable enough of playing such an sexy, dangerous, intensely physical character.

But to humor you here are some that instantly come to mind.

Milla Jovovich
Olga Kurylenko
Izabella Scorupco
Melinda Clarke

Oh and about 100+ semi famous/unknown actresses in the world at the moment that could and would be better for the role instead of Scarlett.

Like others have already said, this is nothing but Marvel hiring eye candy to rack in more money. It is their "Abla/Sue Storm or Halle Berry/Storm".

And like I previously mentioned, Scarlett herself doesn't even have confidence in herself for these type of roles and self cofidence is exactly what is needed for a role like Black Widow.

This simply is not Black Widow material.

http://scarlett-photos.com/albums/Events/2009/03%2002%20Milan%20Fashion%20Week%20-%20Dolce%20and%20Gabbana%20VIP%20Party/MilanFashionWeek-DolceVIP_MQ_006.jpg

[HailtotheKing]

double post

[kedrell]

I'm calling it now. If Madame Masque is in IM3, Blunt would be a great choice.

[FaT_tONle]

Jovovich is up there... certainly can't play the character for another 8 years without some wear and tear... Olga??? She's a Bond girl... nothing more... nothing less. Not very impressive IMO. Izabella is old. I don't know much about Melinda Clarke... I will look her up but she probably fits a similar description to the other three I am betting. Again, I wanted Blunt for the role... but Scar Jo isn't a HUGE downgrade. I would have preferred an unknown though. Scarlett may grow out of the character like Halle did with Storm if she becomes too big a name sooner than later.

[HailtotheKing]

So I guess Jackson, who is 61 (nearly twice Jovovich's age) is going to die before he completes his 9 picture deal with Marvel...I mean what with him being so old right. He could never handle "wear and tear".

[Crook]

I'm sure anyone I say you'll just say "uninspired" or that they aren't good enough even though you think an a short, slightly pudgy average actress like Scarlett is capable enough of playing such an sexy, dangerous, intensely physical character.
Unless you think of yourself as some casting genius, then I highly doubt you'd be able to come up with inspired choices for this role. But let's see...

But to humor you here are some that instantly come to mind.

Milla Jovovich
Olga Kurylenko
Izabella Scorupco
Melinda Clarke
...yes, I was right. 3 previous red-heads, 0 accomplished actresses, 4 attractive ladies. My god, SO inspiring. :funny:

But hell, don't let me bring these casting choices down. I'd like for you to explain how you have disproved my original statement. Casting this role amongst the young Female Hollywood, is very limited. You can't simply count any young female that's an "actress", simply because they neither have the experience nor the clout to even get an audition for this role. It's incredibly improbable to vie for a girl that isn't in the public eye.

Oh and about 100+ semi famous/unknown actresses in the world at the moment that could and would be better for the role instead of Scarlett.
You know damn well that's a cheap way of looking at things. Yes, there are hundreds of actors out there that would die for this role, and there's a good chance there's someone out there BORN for it. But do you know? Have you seen them? You can barely list 5 good candidates, I'm to expect that there are 100+ more?

Like others have already said, this is nothing but Marvel hiring eye candy to rack in more money. It is their "Abla/Sue Storm or Halle Berry/Storm".
This is far from Alba, because Scarlett can act. Whether this is a Halle situation, we will have to wait.

And like I previously mentioned, Scarlett herself doesn't even have confidence in herself for these type of roles and self cofidence is exactly what is needed for a role like Black Widow.
Apparently she had self-confidence to test for this role, and accept it when a contract was offered. The rest is up to acting.

[DJ Kornphlake]

So people are complaining about Scarlett only being cast to be eye candy, and then suggesting Olga Kurylenko for the role instead?

[Ironfan72]

I have alot of faith in Favreau, he seems to be capible of getting very good performances for his stars, plus Scarlett will be surround by the most talented cast she has ever been associated with, actors like Robert Downey, Jr. Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, Mickey Rourke, Sam Jackson and Sam Rockwell can only help her performance, IMO.

[Majik1387]

I don't care what any of you naysayers say, Jovovich is an accomplished actress. Stop harping on her blockbusters and take a look at her lesser known films like Dummy and .45

And in The Fifth Element, she definitely was believable as Leeloo as opposed to people thinking its just Milla with neon orange hair. And if you do remain stuck on her blockbusters, you'd notice that the problems with her was never her acting, it was what she was given to work with.

Visually, she's pretty much exactly what Black Widow should look like, she even has the fighting skills and experience for the role.

She may be a former model turned actress, but she's shown a lot more ambition and dedication to her roles than most actresses today.

[kedrell]

So people are complaining about Scarlett only being cast to be eye candy, and then suggesting Olga Kurylenko for the role instead?

I know, or Milla Jovovich. I mean seriously, WFT?

[kedrell]

I don't care what any of you naysayers say, ScarJo is an accomplished actress. Stop harping on her blockbusters and take a look at her lesser known films like Girl With the Pearl Earring, Lost In Translation and Vicky Cristina Barcelona.

Works just as well this way, too.:cwink:

[Majik1387]

Works just as well this way, too.:cwink:
I've seen 2 of those. Scarlett was good in them, but I didn't care for the films themselves. I have no problem with her as an actress, I just don't see her as BW at the moment. I was hoping she'd be physically fighting someone or something in The Spirit, but she honestly was one of my main annoyances with that film.

My complaint had more to do with people thinking Milla can't act, which is total bull.

[Crook]

My complaint had more to do with people thinking Milla can't act, which is total bull.
I just don't think she's reached a significant level in her career where she could be seen as a competent actor. Yes, she has done well with some of the more dramatic roles. But not to a point where she can be remembered for any particular one. Of the ones she is known for, it's the useless blockbuster roles that have so little depth and complexity that we can't but help to think Milla is only capable of that much.

[Majik1387]

I just don't think she's reached a significant level in her career where she could be seen as a competent actor. Yes, she has done well with some of the more dramatic roles. But not to a point where she can be remembered for any particular one. Of the ones she is known for, it's the useless blockbuster roles that have so little depth and complexity that we can't but help to think Milla is only capable of that much.
And all I can say is I disagree. Not all actors need a for which they are remembered. When that happens its either usually a blessing or a curse to the actors. To the rest who don't have a defining role, it makes it easier for them to blend in to other movies without people going "Oh, that's so and so from that movie"

[FaT_tONle]

So I guess Jackson, who is 61 (nearly twice Jovovich's age) is going to die before he completes his 9 picture deal with Marvel...I mean what with him being so old right. He could never handle "wear and tear".

Well Fury is suppose to be an older character... look I thought you had something... but your choices for BW have been around forever and are not particularly impressive... and yes... they are too old for a nine picture deal. Now who's to say Marvel will even use the character 9 times... but I am pretty sure they wanted to go young.

[Crook]

And all I can say is I disagree. Not all actors need a for which they are remembered. When that happens its either usually a blessing or a curse to the actors. To the rest who don't have a defining role, it makes it easier for them to blend in to other movies without people going "Oh, that's so and so from that movie"
I don't necessarily mean a career-defining role, more of a stepping stone to a higher echelon of acting recognition.

[NoirMan82]

I love how everyone is jumping to conclusions before there is a single scene shot. She has to be all wrong for the role, her accent which nobody has heard or CONFIRMED sucks, and the movie will tank. Blah, blah, blah. It's like a broken nerd recording on repeat with people here. Since when was Scarlett Johanssen the bane of Hollywood? She's a respectable actress in a minor role with this movie. I thought Favs and RDJ shut up the haters before, I guess they'll have to eat crow again. I'm so pumped for this movie.

[Chewy]

I love how everyone is jumping to conclusions before there is a single scene shot. She has to be all wrong for the role, her accent which nobody has heard or CONFIRMED sucks, and the movie will tank. Blah, blah, blah. It's like a broken nerd recording on repeat with people here. Since when was Scarlett Johanssen the bane of Hollywood? She's a respectable actress in a minor role with this movie. I thought Favs and RDJ shut up the haters before, I guess they'll have to eat crow again. I'm so pumped for this movie.
Not one person has said that :huh:

[DJ Kornphlake]

Not yet, anyways.

[kedrell]

IM2 is about as close to printing your own money as you can get in Hollywood. No way this tanks. Even(god forbid) if it absolutely sucks it'll still make bank, SM3 style.

[Chewy]

Here's the thing - no one here is hating on this movie. People are really pumped about it. It's just that, amidst all of the great-to-incredible castings thus far, some people see this as a decidedly mediocre decision.

It'd be great to be proven wrong

[NoirMan82]

Not yet, anyways.

Someone will eventually...they always do.

[batboy99]

I'm sure anyone I say you'll just say "uninspired" or that they aren't good enough even though you think an a short, slightly pudgy average actress like Scarlett is capable enough of playing such an sexy, dangerous, intensely physical character.

But to humor you here are some that instantly come to mind.

Milla Jovovich
Olga Kurylenko
Izabella Scorupco
Melinda Clarke

Oh and about 100+ semi famous/unknown actresses in the world at the moment that could and would be better for the role instead of Scarlett.

Like others have already said, this is nothing but Marvel hiring eye candy to rack in more money. It is their "Abla/Sue Storm or Halle Berry/Storm".

And like I previously mentioned, Scarlett herself doesn't even have confidence in herself for these type of roles and self cofidence is exactly what is needed for a role like Black Widow.

This simply is not Black Widow material.

http://scarlett-photos.com/albums/Events/2009/03%2002%20Milan%20Fashion%20Week%20-%20Dolce%20and%20Gabbana%20VIP%20Party/MilanFashionWeek-DolceVIP_MQ_006.jpg
Scarlett is a better actress than both Milla and Olga. Izabella is just too old and Clarke is a little old too.

And Scarlett doenst think she is fit for an AMAZON role, that odesnt mean she isnt confident with herself.

And she looks like a good fit for BW based on that pic. Good, volumptuous body, red hair, pretty face....

[The Major]

Scarlett is a better actress than both Milla and Olga.

She's got better range then Olga, though I'd say Olga has better experience with this sort of role.

Milla is at least as good as Johannsen, only with the edge we know shes great at in action heroine roles. Not that she's only good at uncomplicated roles that require her to hit people, she's very under-rated as an actress. She's the spitting image Bryan Hitch's Black Widow, as well.

And Scarlett doenst think she is fit for an AMAZON role, that odesnt mean she isnt confident with herself.

If she doesn't think she's right for an Amazon role why she'd sign on for BW?

And she looks like a good fit for BW based on that pic. Good, volumptuous body, red hair, pretty face....
Johanssen isn't the only beautiful actress in Hollywood who can be cheesecake.

[DJ Kornphlake]

If she doesn't think she's right for an Amazon role why she'd sign on for BW?

Being apprehensive doesn't mean she thinks she's incapable.

[THE MR. TERRIFIC]

I think it's a good choice.

[Spider-Vader]

Both husband (Ryan Reynolds) & wife are playing Marvel heroes. Cool.

I'm fine with Scarlett as Widow, she's a good actress IMO.

[Balthus Dire]

I personally think this is a bad choice and horridbly miscast, but she could surprise me I guess.

[Spider-ManHero12]

Very cool news, IMO! Hopefully, she makes a great Black Widow. :up:

[Crook]

She's got better range then Olga, though I'd say Olga has better experience with this sort of role.
Experience that amounts to nada in the end. Knowing how to load a gun or kick higher, longer than the next girl, doesn't help performance. FYI, I'm plenty sure that ScarJo has double the experience in the realm of action than Olga.

Milla is at least as good as Johannsen, only with the edge we know shes great at in action heroine roles. Not that she's only good at uncomplicated roles that require her to hit people, she's very under-rated as an actress. She's the spitting image Bryan Hitch's Black Widow, as well.

I'm gonna be honest, I think this is the crux of all this bickering; ScarJo isn't the ideal BW, appearance-wise.

Because acting-wise, I guarantee most wouldn't stand a single leg in holding up an explanation for how Blunt and/or Milla are better. It's shallow support.

If she doesn't think she's right for an Amazon role why she'd sign on for BW?
She signed in the end. Does that not say something? Daniel Craig had apprehensions of playing Bond, ended up doing the role and hitting it out of the park.

Johanssen isn't the only beautiful actress in Hollywood who can be cheesecake.
No, but she's certainly one of the few on a very short list.

[p4poetic]

Poor Blunt. Fox has her doing a movie with Jack Black instead. That really really sucks.

[The Ace of Knaves]

Hmmm...strange. People are writing her off already?

Whilst I think she isn't the best actress in the world, does the role of Black Widow really need the best actress in the world? All the role really requires is a frickin hot woman (check) a decent actress (check) and a Russian accent (which is the easiest accent in the world to pull of IMO) And don't give me that crap about getting the right dialect and it having to sound absolutely perfect Russian. This is a frickin popcorn, superhero, action flick. Anyone who cares about the exact details of the accent needs to stop being so, nit picky. As long as she clearly has a Russian twang, it doesn't matter. This isn't going to be a film set in Moscow focusing on life in Russia. A Russian accent is ****ing EASY. I could pull it off. In fact sometimes i do when i get phoned up by cold callers. :hehe:

Scarlett is a good actress, not brilliant, but not crap as some people are saying. I bet most of the people dissing her haven't seen her best work. Go watch Lost in Translation or Pearl Earring.

[The Major]

Hmmm...strange. People are writing her off already?

Whilst I think she isn't the best actress in the world, does the role of Black Widow really need the best actress in the world? All the role really requires is a frickin hot woman (check) a decent actress (check) and a Russian accent (which is the easiest accent in the world to pull of IMO) And don't give me that crap about getting the right dialect and it having to sound absolutely perfect Russian. This is a frickin popcorn, superhero, action flick. Anyone who cares about the exact details of the accent needs to stop being so, nit picky. As long as she clearly has a Russian twang, it doesn't matter.

Why are you lowering your standards for BW? Would you have liked this treatment for Tony Stark? They made Tony and numerous other characters great which were close to the source material with the first movie and it succeeded. No reason they can't do this with Black Widow.

I suggest you read Richard K. Morgan's Homecoming mini-series, BW's appearance in Thunderbolts Vol.1 by Busiek and Brubaker's Captain America. Her potential is amazing as a character.

This isn't going to be a film set in Moscow focusing on life in Russia. A Russian accent is ****ing EASY. I could pull it off. In fact sometimes i do when i get phoned up by cold callers. :hehe:

You're thinking to short term. They're obviously setting up a solo BW franchise.

Scarlett is a good actress, not brilliant, but not crap as some people are saying. I bet most of the people dissing her haven't seen her best work. Go watch Lost in Translation or Pearl Earring.

Critics aren't saying she's a bad actress, just not perfectly suited for the role. That happens.

[The Ace of Knaves]

I'm not lowering my standards for BW. I think she is a great character. And I personally think Scarlett can pull it off. IMO they have got the mix of stunningly hot and a decent actress perfectly with her. How many stunningly hot actresses are out there that are THAT much better than Scarlett? That's what i'm saying. Who else is hotter than her? Who else is noticeably that much better, acting wise, than her? Who else out there has the combination of both those things? Not many, if any at all.

And yea they maybe setting up a solo BW franchise, but what has the accent have to do with that? Who says she couldn't actually learn to speak proper Russian by the time they get round to that?

All she needs in this particular film is a standard Russian accent which is piss easy to pull off.

And yea fair enough, some people don't think she is perfectly suited to the role. I'd disagree. Sure maybe Blunt would of been a better choice, but there is no point whining about it now. Scarlett will do a good job, she isn't a crap actress as some people are saying. FACT.

[p4poetic]

Why are you lowering your standards for BW? Would you have liked this treatment for Tony Stark? They made Tony and numerous other characters great which were close to the source material with the first movie and it succeeded. No reason they can't do this with Black Widow.

Don't you know? Female characters shouldn't be cared for besides their looks :whatever:

[The Ace of Knaves]

Don't you know? Female characters shouldn't be cared for besides their looks :whatever:


Errr...did I ever say that?

I suppose you are one of the people who thinks Scarlett is a crap actress yea? Well, go and watch her decent movies, not her crap ones.

And anyway, when it comes to a character like Black Widow, looks is a MAJOR factor.

If it wasn't they could get Dame Judi Dench as her!!! She is a great actress!

Read my previous posts. You have to get the balance just right. And if you can give me 5 stunningly hot woman who are much, much better actresses than Scarlett. So much better that you can really tell the difference I will give you a cookie.

[batboy99]

I personally think this is a bad choice and horridbly miscast, but she could surprise me I guess.
I dont see how she is miscast at all. There are better choices, but Scarlett isnt miscast. I mean, its not like they cast a latina actress to play a blonde, white girl.

Scarlett is gorgeous, BW should be played by a gorgeous actress. Scarlett works.

Scarlett also has a curvasious body, which BW should have.

I think the casting is good.

[baerrtt]

My only concern about Scarlett is that I feel she's a tad too young for the role otherwise I'll take the 'wait and see' approach.

[terry78]

My only concern about Scarlett is that I feel she's a tad too young for the role otherwise I'll take the 'wait and see' approach.

Her and Blunt are the same age basically...one year apart.

[jrd550]

That's pretty much on the mark and this thread is the epitome of why we the "fanboys" are the laughing stock and punchline.

Just the fact that Blunt was Jon's FIRST pick inherently implies that she was a better pick for the role - and Jon's a director we all admire and respect. Will his second pick work? Sure. But I would (as he) preferred to see his number one pick.

[terry78]

You have to blame Fox for that, then. Blunt is on lockdown with them, so he had to go with his second choice. How is that anyone's fault but their's?

[Crook]

Just the fact that Blunt was Jon's FIRST pick inherently implies that she was a better pick for the role - and Jon's a director we all admire and respect. Will his second pick work? Sure. But I would (as he) preferred to see his number one pick.
Nolan didn't get his first choices for quite a few roles in the Batman films as well. It'd be nice to see them, but as long as the "replacement" makes you forget they were runner-ups, that's more than satisfactory.

[Laderlappen]

I would much rather have Blunt play the role.

[zeptron]

I consider her to be a completely bland actress. It annoys me that after such great casting choices for the first Iron Man movie, they had to go for complete star power for the second instead of choosing someone right for the role.

The character she's playing is Russian. I idea of her speaking with a Russian accent(or any Russian) is painful. I'm not a big comic book expert but I know the character has to be pretty badass, smart, sexy, and very dangerous. Scarlett has the sexy part down but it's not enough. All I keep thinking of in my head is Uma Thurman in Batman & Robin That was bloody awful. At least Thurman redeemed herself with the Kill Bill movies.

I would've preferred Eliza Dushku or even Olga Kurylenko.(Yes I said it) The latter might not be a great actress but since she's Ukranian (a country that used to be part of the U.S.S.R.) and can pull off a decent performance, she would have the character just right.

Perhaps I will be wrong. I don't mind being wrong if it means making something I like better. I hope that's the director's choice, and not studio interference. Fav did a good job in the first one. So if it's his choice...I'll hold off judgment until the movie hits.

But I think there are more appropriate actresses available.

[ultimatefan]

Scarlett is very sexy and a fine actress, it´s the "tough chick" aspect of BW I´m not sure she can pull off.

[Crook]

I consider her to be a completely bland actress. It annoys me that after such great casting choices for the first Iron Man movie, they had to go for complete star power for the second instead of choosing someone right for the role.

The character she's playing is Russian. I idea of her speaking with a Russian accent(or any Russian) is painful. I'm not a big comic book expert but I know the character has to be pretty badass, smart, sexy, and very dangerous. Scarlett has the sexy part down but it's not enough. All I keep thinking of in my head is Uma Thurman in Batman & Robin That was bloody awful. At least Thurman redeemed herself with the Kill Bill movies.

I would've preferred Eliza Dushku or even Olga Kurylenko.(Yes I said it) The latter might not be a great actress but since she's Ukranian (a country that used to be part of the U.S.S.R.) and can pull off a decent performance, she would have the character just right.
Your classification of what's "right" for the role is clearly biased towards a faithful look more than talent.

[Lobo]

I'm pretty sure Scarlett has more experience with action roles than Blunt, too.

[baerrtt]

Her and Blunt are the same age basically...one year apart.

Maybe but Emily comes across as more mature (looks wise) that Scarlett.

[The Ace of Knaves]

When people start mentioning Eliza Dushku and to an extent, Olga Kurilenko as better choices than Scarlett I really can't take them seriously.

[Bim]

I'm gonna go with the 'wait and see' approach. I think Scarlett's a fine actress, and i'll give her a chance.

[Brian Braddock]

When people start mentioning Eliza Dushku and to an extent, Olga Kurilenko as better choices than Scarlett I really can't take them seriously.

.......:hehe:

[Laderlappen]

When people start mentioning Eliza Dushku and to an extent, Olga Kurilenko as better choices than Scarlett I really can't take them seriously.I agree with you. Especially when one add 'she is not a great actress' after the name that is suggested. Seriously what is the point of having an actress that cant act?! 'She is so hot' is not a damn reason. Its not a porno.

[terry78]

Fanboys have been spoiled by comic artists. Ed Benes, Frank Cho, and the rest. Fanboys see this, and they require that the chicks in the live action versions match this.

[Brian Braddock]

Fanboys have been spoiled by comic artists. Ed Benes, Frank Cho, and the rest. Fanboys see this, and they require that the chicks in the live action versions match this.

It's not just confined to the female characters.

Check out what's currently on discussion over in the Avengers thread:-

http://forums.superherohype.com/showpost.php?p=16591161&postcount=2306

[ultimatefan]

When people start mentioning Eliza Dushku and to an extent, Olga Kurilenko as better choices than Scarlett I really can't take them seriously.

That´s the thing, some people just want someone who´s used to doing the "tough chick" routine, but frankly, i never been that impressed with Dushku´s acting.

[batboy99]

Im in the minority who wouldnt have minded to see Dushku. But I do think Scarlett is a better fit acting wise and look wise.

[zeptron]

Your classification of what's "right" for the role is clearly biased towards a faithful look more than talent.

Actually it's both. I think Eliza has acting chops, action movie experience and sex appeal. She looks more like the part of BW. BW is athletic and aerobatic just like Eliza.

This is the woman who played Faith. A character who's similar to BW(kick-ass, seductive, dangerous) And won her massive acclaim at the time. How anyone who's seen her play Faith in Season 3 of Buffy, and seasons 1 & 4 of Angel can say she would be terrible for this role is beyond me.

I'm not saying Scarlett will be terrible. I'm gonna give her a chance. But if this turns into another "Jessica Alba" I'm gonna be pissed.

I have no opinion on Emily Blunt. I've never seen her in anything.



When people start mentioning Eliza Dushku and to an extent, Olga Kurilenko as better choices than Scarlett I really can't take them seriously.

Funny, when people say Megan Fox should play roles like Wonder Woman and Catwoman I can't take them seriously.

[Majik1387]

Actually it's both. I think Eliza has acting chops, action movie experience and sex appeal. She looks more like the part of BW. BW is athletic and aerobatic just like Eliza.

This is the woman who played Faith. A character who's similar to BW(kick-ass, seductive, dangerous) And won her massive acclaim at the time. How anyone who's seen her play Faith in Season 3 of Buffy, and seasons 1 & 4 of Angel can say she would be terrible for this role is beyond me.

I'm not saying Scarlett will be terrible. I'm gonna give her a chance. But if this turns into another "Jessica Alba" I'm gonna be pissed.

I have no opinion on Emily Blunt. I've never seen her in anything.

Funny, when people say Megan Fox should play roles like Wonder Woman and Catwoman I can't take them seriously.
I pretty much agree with everything here.

[The Ace of Knaves]

Funny, when people say Megan Fox should play roles like Wonder Woman and Catwoman I can't take them seriously.


Errr...you say that as though I am one of those people :huh:

[Obi-Ron]

All the role really requires is a frickin hot woman (check) a decent actress (check) and a Russian accent (which is the easiest accent in the world to pull of IMO) And don't give me that crap about getting the right dialect and it having to sound absolutely perfect Russian.

Nobody seemed to have a problem with Walter Koenig as Pavel Chekov. Give the Widow some lines about "nuclear wessels" and we're good to go.

[zeptron]

Errr...you say that as though I am one of those people

^I wasn't referring to you personally. It's just that everyboard I go to has people saying she would make a great WW. This board included. Hell she's currently in the lead in the poll in the WW thread.

[The Ace of Knaves]

Yea well Megan Fox should never, ever get anywhere near a lead role in a super hero movie.

[terry78]

Yea well Megan Fox should never, ever get anywhere near a lead role in a super hero movie.

Fathom.

[Majik1387]

That one doesn't count. No one cares much about that comic.:cwink:

[batboy99]

Hey, Fathom is AWESOME. And so is the late Michael Turner.

[The Ace of Knaves]

Wha...? Well I can't really comment, never read Fathom. But the girl just cannot act. Not in anything i've seen her in anyway.

[batboy99]

Agreed. Ya' never know though, she can suprise us in one of her roles.

[The Ace of Knaves]

Yea maybe.

[kedrell]

Well, to be fair, how many films have we seen Fox in? She's only been in 2 so far to my knowledge and one of those was directed by Michael Bay(who couldn't even get a good performance out of Lawrence Olivier, IMO).

[batboy99]

Ive seen her in Transformers, Hope and Faith, Confessions of a teenage drama queen, and How to lose friends and alienate people.

[[A]]

^ woah that's a lot of punishment, man--what'd you do!?

[batboy99]

Well for confessions, I just wanted to see how her acting was.
I didnt like transformers, watched a little at my cousins house and once at school.
I kinda like hope and faith :O
And she was just super hot in the last one

[Lobo]

Hope and faith was a decent show, and I liked How to lose friends :o

[batboy99]

It was alright. Megan was terrible in it though.

[Daredevil_2003]

This makes me happy. Scarlett is a wonderful actor and she's way hotter than Blunt.

And, in the end, isn't the latter what's most important? :oldrazz:

[kedrell]

This makes me happy. Scarlett is a wonderful actor and she's way hotter than Blunt.

And, in the end, isn't the latter what's most important? :oldrazz:

Nope.

[8Diagrams(WU)]

At the very least they got the rack right

[I SEE SPIDEY]

I really hate this choice but what-can-you-do?

I just hope that the director gets a non Prestige performance out of her. AKA a half-way decent one. Since I was wrong on just about everything concerning the first Iron Man I'll give her a chance but I still think that their were far better choices.

[kedrell]

So you think Nolan wasn't able to get a good performance out of her in the Prestige? I never saw the film, so I'm curious.

[Sawyer]

Cant say I'm a fan of this casting, but I'll reserve full judgement until I get the finished product. Or at least a trailer...

[I SEE SPIDEY]

So you think Nolan wasn't able to get a good performance out of her in the Prestige? I never saw the film, so I'm curious.I didn't like the performance at all.

[Sawyer]

I didn't like the performance at all.

I dont know. There really wasnt anything about it that stood out to me, but I also didnt think it was bad...

[batboy99]

I think she was meant to act like that. Either way, it wasnt good .Even her huge fans(like me) dont think its good.

[marcvader]

It was adequate.

[Balthus Dire]

I dont see how she is miscast at all. There are better choices, but Scarlett isnt miscast. I mean, its not like they cast a latina actress to play a blonde, white girl.

No, they cast a blonde, white, American girl to play a red haired Russian. :oldrazz:


But that's not even why I think she's miscast. Any good actor can put on an accent, and appearances rarely matter in film because they can always change. However, in this case, Scarlett simply doesn't have the rawness that Black Widow should have. She's hot, yeah...but not the kind of hot Black Widow should be. I would believe someone like Olga whats-her-face being a hard as nails sexy Russian spy, and not just because she's Russian. She has the look and attitude of a bad ass chick.

Scarlett Johanson, I'm afraid, does not.

Plus her line reads are flat as all hell. :o

[kedrell]

One thing I must say is that BW should exude competence. Like Wolverine, she's the best(in Russia) there is at what she does. Only difference is that sometimes what she does is very nice.:cwink::grin:

BW cannot come across as a novice with just some acrobatic skill. She's a pro.

[Laderlappen]

Can we please stop talking about Bondgirl-Olga here, and lets be a little serious.

[tamron]

So you think Nolan wasn't able to get a good performance out of her in the Prestige? I never saw the film, so I'm curious.

IMHO, Scarlett's role in The Prestige was thankless. She was just eye candy, of minimal bearing to the plot. Not her fault, the script gave her nothing to do.

[PyroChamber]

You have to blame Fox for that, then. Blunt is on lockdown with them, so he had to go with his second choice. How is that anyone's fault but their's?But at the same time, how did Johansson become his second choice? I'm not sure but I doubt she was one of the names anyone had in mind when it came to casting the character at first.

[The Ace of Knaves]

I'm still waiting for someone to come up with 5 actresses that are so much better acting wise that it makes a noticeable difference. Who are also hotter than Scarlett.

[Majik1387]

Doesn't really matter if someone does come up with a list, someone will eventually break it down by trying to give reasons why they're not better than Scarlett.

[The Ace of Knaves]

Yea that's fair point.

But with all this *****ing about her, and there being many others out there who would be better. I would like to see some one put their money where their mouth is.

[Majik1387]

I was still partial to the Hilary Swank rumor, and I would have preferred Emily Blunt. I agree about Milla Jovovich being a good choice. Uma Thurman would have been good in the role as well. Hell even though she played Elektra, Jennifer Garner would have been a better choice, she even has the background as a dancer like BW. And while I wouldn't have liked her for BW, I think Eliza Dushku would have been better than Scarlett, regarding appearance and acting.

Granted, almost all of them are common in the fanboy castings, but that's probably because they're in projects that we all enjoy, and we'd like to see them in more.

[The Ace of Knaves]

Yea good points.

But I do think Scarlett is a better actress than both Milla and Eliza. But yea it could be said that Milla is more "suited" to the role though.

But the fact is the casting is done, let's give her a chance right? Maybe she will blow us all away with her performance? Maybe she will suck terribly. There is only one way to find out for sure.

[Sub-Zero]

Yea good points.

But I do think Scarlett is a better actress than both Milla and Eliza. But yea it could be said that Milla is more "suited" to the role though.

But the fact is the casting is done, let's give her a chance right? Maybe she will blow us all away with her performance? Maybe she will suck terribly. There is only one way to find out for sure.

i think the latter is the most likely. she's one of the most overrated people in hollywood. hillary swank was rumored for the role back when im 1 was filming. why couldn't they get her? i'd buy her as the character more than scarlett. scarlett has no range. i can't really see scarlett doing a russian accent. i'm betting that they're going to tweek the character and make her american so scarlett will have an easier time saying her lines. i guess the next question is who's playing hawkeye, or more to the point what actor will be misscast as hawkeye? trust in favreau...hopefullly

[The Ace of Knaves]

Because Hilary Swank looks like a bloke? Her jaw line alone could give Aaron Eckhart, Jimmy Hill and Bruce Forsythe a run for their money.

And I'll say it again. A Russian accent is PISS easy to pull off.

[Majik1387]

This does not look like a bloke
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/Majik1387/castings/s19_jpg.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/Majik1387/castings/s20_jpg.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/Majik1387/castings/hilary_swank_2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/Majik1387/castings/hilary_swank_esq_6.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/Majik1387/castings/Swank-Desktop2.jpg

[The Ace of Knaves]

:D Well I'll admit she does look stunning there, and she is a great actress.

So maybe yea, she is a better choice for the role. But alas. it's too late now anyway. As I said, let's give Scarlett a chance, we never know what can happen.

She was great in Lost in Translation and Pearl Earring at least. Obviously those roles don't indicate if she could pull off this role. But do actresses really need experience in a similar role? I don't think that makes sense really. How does a actress get experience in similar roles? She has to do them first.

Look at Michelle Phfiffer. She didn't do a role anything like Catwoman and IMO she nailed that particular take on the character.

[Majik1387]

An actress doesn't need experience in a similar role, but it helps give an idea of what she can bring(or not bring) to the role.

[The Ace of Knaves]

Yea i understand that. But what i mean is how does a actress get experience in the role? You can only get experience by playing those sorta roles.

It's like with a job. You go looking for a job and the employer says you have to have experience in a similar role. But if all employers said that, then how is anyone going to get experience in that role?

[PyroChamber]

Me personally I'm neither here nor there about Scarlett being Black Widow, it's just that her being casted seemed kind of random to me.

[3dman27]

This does not look like a bloke
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/Majik1387/castings/s19_jpg.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/Majik1387/castings/s20_jpg.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/Majik1387/castings/hilary_swank_2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/Majik1387/castings/hilary_swank_esq_6.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/Majik1387/castings/Swank-Desktop2.jpg
no most definately not

[Negrotigre]

I swear, you fools act like they brought Kim Kardashian on to play BW or something. Drama queens.

Kardashian in skin tight leather?! I'd pay to see that!

[Immortalfire]

I'm 'fire, and I approve of this casting :up:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v126/immortalfire/scarlett_johansson.jpg

[batboy99]

No, they cast a blonde, white, American girl to play a red haired Russian. :oldrazz:


But that's not even why I think she's miscast. Any good actor can put on an accent, and appearances rarely matter in film because they can always change. However, in this case, Scarlett simply doesn't have the rawness that Black Widow should have. She's hot, yeah...but not the kind of hot Black Widow should be. I would believe someone like Olga whats-her-face being a hard as nails sexy Russian spy, and not just because she's Russian. She has the look and attitude of a bad ass chick.

Scarlett Johanson, I'm afraid, does not.

Plus her line reads are flat as all hell. :oBlack Widow is white and hair colour doesnt matter. Thats why they use something called wigs and hair dye. And it doesnt matter if shes American or Canadian or whatever. Look at Bale. His from Wales and he is playing an American. That really doesnt matter.

And shes never played a role like Black Widow, so we dont know if she has the ''rawness'' for the role, but again, that doesnt matter. She is a more than capable actress and Im sure she can pull it off.

And I like Olga, but Scarlett is a MUCH better actress than her.

[batboy99]

Yea good points.

But I do think Scarlett is a better actress than both Milla and Eliza. But yea it could be said that Milla is more "suited" to the role though.

But the fact is the casting is done, let's give her a chance right? Maybe she will blow us all away with her performance? Maybe she will suck terribly. There is only one way to find out for sure.
I think shes a better actress than the two as well. At least when she wantes to be. But Eliza is starting to prove herself more as an actress.

And Scarlett is a much better choice than Swank,Thurman, and Garner.

I would be open to Swank, but really, Scarlett is much better looking and fits the role better. Swank of course is the better actress, but Scarlett fits the bill more.

[[A]]

hmm casting choices based on looks.. I believe we're invaded by teenagers who lied about their age :hehe:

[The Ace of Knaves]

It's not just to do with looks. She is a good actress AND is gorgeous.

And I agree that I just couldn't picture Swank as the Black Widow. Being a great actress doesn't automatically make you suited to any role. If that was the case just get Helen Mirren or Dame Judi Dench in there! :hehe:

[batboy99]

Seriously.


And just because she happens to be super hot does ont mean this choice is based on looks. Watch some of Scarlett's lesser known/less popular movies. Shes good. Shes one of those actresses than does better depending on who is directing her.

And yes, those pictures were nice of Swank, but most of them are either of her mouth closed/semi closed or her arm knid of covering her mouth. Snd this is a movie, not a still picture. Her horse teeth will show through. Again, she is the better actress, but Natasha is supposed to be a super sexy character. Swank just isnt. Scarlett is.