With AVENGERS ASSEMBLE only days away from hitting UK cinemas, pre-production on the next entry into the Marvel Studios canon is already in full swing. Per Deadline, the increasingly in-demand Jessica Chastain (TAKE SHELTER) is now in late talks to join the recently announced Ben Kingsley and Guy Pearce in the eagerly awaited threequel.

Though Kingsley’s role still remains under wraps, Pearce is thought to be playing Aldrich Killian, whilst Chastain would portray “a sexy scientist every bit as smart as Tony Stark”, according to the casting notes. Those familiar with the Extremis storyline on which the movie is based are speculating this “sexy scientist” might be an old college friend (and eventual love interest) of Stark’s, Dr. Maya Hansen. Hansen developed the Extremis nanotechnology in an effort to create a new ‘super soldier’, but things don’t go according to plan when Iron Man is introduced to it.

Another actor currently in talks, once again in a scientist role (isn’t it funny that they haven’t used the ‘sexy’ prefix this time), is HOUSE OF FLYING DAGGERS star Andy Lau.

As previously reported, all principal co-stars are set to return (no Terrence Howard style switcheroo this time out), including Scarlett Johansson’s Black Widow.

IRON MAN 3 will begin lensing soon for a May 3rd 2013 release.

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