Chic, independent and cosmopolitan. That’s what Scarlett Johansson needed to score a cool modeling gig with Mango Clothes. Guess she’s got that all that in droves!

Here’s a fun little video from CelebTV about the starlet’s new gig for pal Penelope Cruz’s Mango Clothing 2009. You can catch Johansson next in "Iron Man 2," playing Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow opposite Robert Downey, Jr. It’s due in theaters May 7, 2010. Nice way to kick off the summer movie season next year.

Amazing the things you learn on Twitter. I’ve been following director Jon Favreau’s updates (follow him yourself at http://twitter.com/jon_favreau), and he posted today that this was Scarlett Johansson’s first day on the "Iron Man 2" set in her Black Widow outfit. "You’ve never heard a crew get so quiet so fast," tweets Favreau.

Johansson plays Natasha Romanoff in the "Iron Man" sequel, but this is the first confirmation that she would indeed appear as Black Widow in costume, as well.

Favreau also confirmed that Samuel L. Jackson would appear in the film as Nick Fury. We knew that, but there was speculation that he might show up as a cameo, like he did at the end of "Iron Man." But it sounds like he’ll definitely return as the S.H.I.E.L.D. director. Or at least, that’s what Favreau says in this tweet: "Now shooting first scene with Tony Stark and Nick Fury."

Anyone else following Favreau’s Twitter updates? Get on board! You, too, can be one of his 66,457 followers!

Image: Bauer-Griffin

Casting for "Iron Man 2" continues, with Kate Mara and Clark Gregg being the most recent actors to join the sequel. It’s directed by Jon Favreau, who also helmed the first movie.

I’ve been a big fan of Mara’s for a while, and especially loved her role in "Shooter," opposite Mark Wahlberg. Her character in "Iron Man 2" is being kept under wraps for now (anyone heard anything?). Scarlett Johansson is playing Black Widow, and Gwyneth Paltrow is returning as Pepper Pots.

Gregg is reprising his role as Agent Phil Coulson of S.H.I.E.L.D. I’m guessing he might play a major role in "The Avengers," as well. That movie is coming up in 2012.

"Iron Man 2" is scheduled for release on May 7, 2010, and it can’t get here fast enough for me. I need more of Robert Downey, Jr. as the dashing Tony Stark, and it’ll be a blast seeing Mickey Rourke as Ivan/Whiplash. I’m sure those two have plenty to talk about on set, since both have battled demons and had major comebacks in recent years.

Image Credit: Shooter, © Paramount Pictures; Source: Hollywood Reporter

Megan Fox has signed to play an angel opposite Mickey Rourke in ”Passion Plays.”

The indie drama written and directed by Mitch Glazer stars Rourke as a down-on-his-heels trumpet player in 1950s Los Angeles. His character finds redemption after attempting to save Fox’s angel from a gangster.

This could be interesting, not only because of Rourke and Fox, but because they’re paired with Glazer, who wrote the screenplay for Al Pacino’s “The Recruit” and Bill Murray’s “Scrooged.” It’s really kind of a mixed bag of personalities and brands here.

I just wonder if Rourke will be able to play roles other than a down-and-out character like his Randy the Ram in “The Wrestler.” Talk about typecasting.

Then again, his upcoming roles include a villain in “Iron Man 2” and a hit man in Walter Hill’s “St. Vincent.” I think everyone is cheering him on from the sidelines.

Photo Credit: Newscom

There’s been all kinds of crazy speculation about Mickey Rourke being cast in “Iron Man 2,” but now it seems like a done deal.

Nikki Finke over at Deadline Hollywood Daily is reporting that Rourke has signed on for the role of the Russian villain in the sequel. I guess there was some heavy-duty negotiating going on after the studio initially offered a measly $250K for the role. Apparently, Rourke’s agent, David Unger, got the figure up to a respectable level, even though the economy is hitting Hollywood where it hurts.

Finke also reports that Marvel did the same thing to Samuel L. Jackson. Something paid off there, because they recently signed Jackson to play nick Fury in as many as nine Marvel films, including “Iron Man 2.”

All I can say is, go Mickey Rourke!

Image: Newscom

Geez, is Samuel L. Jackson the man or what? He’ll never have to network or market himself again, because he just signed a nine-picture deal to play Nick Fury, an agent of Marvel’s spy organization S.H.I.E.L.D.

The films include "Iron Man 2," "Thor," "Captain America," and "The Avengers." Plus, he also might head up his own movie, which is still in development.

If you stuck through to the end of "Iron Man," you saw Jackson’s "Fury" make a surprise appearance, which tipped off moviegoers that more Marvel movies were in the works. 

That’s a LOT of movies playing the same character! I wonder if he’ll get bored playing Nick Fury for years on end. And will he have time for other movies in between? Let’s hope so, because I like Samuel L. Jackson and would like to see him in some other films besides Marvel.

Photo Credit: Pichichi / SDFL / Splash News

I always have trouble remembering that Scarlett Johansson is only 24 years old. It just seems like she’s been around forever and, in fact, she’s been acting since 1994, so she really HAS been around for a while.

Now she’s in talks with Marvel Studios to star in "Iron Man 2," possibly replacing Emily Blunt in the role of Russian spy Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow. Blunt’s role in the upcoming "Gulliver’s Travels" might keep her from doing the "Iron Man" sequel.

According to an Entertainment Weekly story, Blunt is still trying to work out both roles (and yeah, I’d move heaven and earth to be in "Iron Man 2," too), but sources confirm that Johansson has met with filmmakers.

While "Iron Man 2" doesn’t have a start date yet (thought I’ve heard March 2009), "Gulliver’s Travels" is scheduled to begin production in April.

Image: New Line Cinema

A few weeks ago, it was reported around the Web that Mickey Rourke was in talks to play a villain in "Iron Man 2" – supposedly, the role of Crimson Dynamo. But in a recent interview with MTV, Robert Downey, Jr. gave a different story:

"That’s actually incorrect," Downey said, when asked if Rourke was being considered for the role of Crimson Dynamo.

When asked if Rourke was up for the role of Whiplash, Downey said, "I can neither confirm nor deny that. Or maybe it’s some semblance of both. Here, I can tell you everything about the story, except I won’t give away the ending. The nerd stuff is top-drawer security."

Alrighty then! "Iron Man 2" is scheduled for a May 7, 2010 release. Stay tuned as to what part, if any, Rourke will be playing.

Image: Newscom

Ok, every time I see a picture of Mickey Rourke, I do a double-take. That’s him, pictured with Evan Rachel Wood.

I was talking to someone today, who brought up the idea that Mickey Rourke isn’t so much of an actor as he is someone who can bulk up or slim down for a role. Because – and I haven’t seen "The Wrestler" yet – but apparently he bulked up for the role and this person thought maybe he just did that really well, and that’s why he’s getting Oscar buzz.

Anyway, this news is even weirder, because The Hollywood Reporter has a story that Rourke might be playing a villain in "Iron Man 2," being directed by Jon Favreau.

Marvel is keeping details of the script cloaked in darkness, but we do know it’s being written by Justin Theroux. Rourke would play a tattooed Russian heavy named Ivan who becomes Whiplash, a man with deadly, technologically enhanced coils. Hmmm…

More after the jump…

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Tony Stark suffering from identity issues? You know, I kind of wondered about that when his identity was revealed at the end of "Iron Man." Apparently, that will be a major plotpoint in "Iron Man 2."

While working on the script for the sequel, screenwriter Justin Theroux told MTV.com that the main theme of "Iron Man 2" will indeed be the issue of identity.

"It’s something that we’ve made a real decision to run towards rather than away from," said Theroux. I wonder what that means exactly…that maybe Tony isn’t sure about this whole Iron Man thing and wants out…?

"Iron Man 2" is scheduled for a May 7, 2010 release date, with Robert Downey Jr. once again playing the title role.

Image: Iron Man, Paramount Pictures, 2008