Almost two weeks ago we brought you the news that Oscar-winner Sir Ben Kingsley had been cast as the yet-to-be-named villain in next summer’s mighty Marvel superhero sequel Iron Man 3. Today another high-caliber acting talent has joined the movie’s increasingly impressive cast as Guy Pearce, most recently seen kicking interstellar ass in the sci-fi action flick Lockout, has signed on to play geneticist Dr. Aldrich Killian.

Killian was an integral character in “Extremis,” the six-issue Iron Man comic arc penned by Warren Ellis that is said to be the inspiration for Iron Man 3.

Shane Black, the screenwriter-turned-director who made his big splash behind the camera in 2005 with the hilarious comic-thriller Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, has taken over directing duties on the eagerly-anticipated second sequel to the 2008 action blockbuster that first established Marvel Films as an major force in event filmmaking from Jon Favreau, the director of original and its 2010 sequel which received a more lukewarm reception from critics and audiences. Black also co-wrote the screenplay for Iron Man 3 with Drew Pearce (no relation to Guy).

Returning to the cast are Robert Downey Jr. in the title role, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Don Cheadle. Scarlett Johansson will also return as resourceful S.H.I.E.L.D. agent (and by far the sexiest of the Avengers) Black Widow. Details of the sequel’s story are still being kept under wraps so it’s not known yet how it will tie into the events of the upcoming The Avengers.

I just hope Marvel has learned the lessons of Iron Man 2 and will allow Black to make a film equal to or even better than the original. Being a fan of the franchise and the director, who got his start writing wild action gems like the first Lethal Weapon and The Last Boy Scout, I hold out hope that Iron Man 3 will be a superior comic book superhero epic and not a heavily compromised product like the undistinguished Iron Man 2. So far the cast is shaping up to be a good one. I’m a huge fan of Guy Pearce’s acting; the man can headline darker independent films like The Proposition and blend into ensemble cast movies with the same level of talent and devotion to his craft. He’s in good company with the cast of Iron Man 3.

Iron Man 3 will be released on May 3, 2013.

[Source: Geek Tyrant]