Paltrow helps Iron out the cast Updated!

Superhero blockbuster scores female lead?

Update : Variety has confirmed that Paltrow has indeed been cast as Pepper Pennis. Thanks to ‘Aaron’ for the heads up!

According to Aint it Cool News, Gwyneth Paltrow has been cast as Pepper Potts – a role many thought would go to a Jewel Staite/Christina Applegate/Maggie Gyllenhaal/Rachel McAdams type, if that mishmash implies such a type? – in the pricey big screen venture, “Iron Man”.

Yep, Paltrow. Now generally, it’s good to have one “name” aboard a movie – in this case, it’d be Robert Downey Jr as Tony Stark – because it means the studio will throw your more money; or in a smaller film’s case, it means a studio will throw you money. I just think this is ‘too big’ for the film. It’s going to be enough trying to swallow Downey Jr as Iron Man – even though he’ll be fantastic, I’m sure – without having to see Apple’s ma as one of comic’s most beloved girl-power faves.

Unlike a lot of other superhero girlfriends (though for the most part, Potts and Stark have a purely platonic relationship), Pepper knows that her long-time bud plays dress-up at night and fights criminals.

Virginia “Pepper” Potts is an executive secretary to Tony Stark, a.k.a. Iron Man, who eventually married Stark’s chauffeur and assistant Happy Hogan – despite the fact that she was initially infatuated with the Tone-Bone himself. Later, Pepper divorces Happy Hogan and her initial infatuation with Stark returns.

At one time, Rachel McAdams was rumoured to have scored the part. I might have preferred her..

Meantime, Disney has apparently picked up the rights to “John Carter of Mars”, a film Jon Favreau was attached to produce. According to TMZ.com, producers Jim Jacks, Sean Daniel, Favreau and Harry Knowles “left the project”.

Mr Knowles, of Aint it Cool News, was also onboard as a producer on the film and responded to the news with the following statement : “None of us left the project. Paramount’s ex-president of production decided not to renew the rights. Jim, Sean and I – along with Jon Favreau were heartbroken when Paramount didn’t renew the rights, but that happens. Ultimately I’m just proud to be a part of the long history of people that tried to bring this great story to the screen. We came the closest – I wish, whatever studio gets it the best of luck, it’s a great story and deserves to be told the best way possible.”