Joseph Gordon-Levitt joins ‘Sin City: A Dame To Kill For’

Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s star continues to rise. The actor has committed to a lead role in Sin City: A Dame To Kill For, the sequel to the acclaimed 2005 film, which will be again co-directed by Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller.

Deadline first confirmed the news, noting that the role was first offered to Johnny Depp. Gordon-Levitt will play Johnny, a central new character whose story will overlap with stories featuring the stars of the original film, including Jessica Alba, Mickey Rourke and Bruce Willis. Clive Owen and Rosario Dawson are also returning.

Dennis Haysbert is also joining the cast. Deadline notes that Josh Brolin’s name has been coming up as a possibility for another tough guy role.

“Johnny is a new character in the Sin City world and we are excited for what Joseph will bring to the role,” Rodriguez and Miller said in a statement, reports The Wrap.

Since he took the Sin City 2 role, this means that Marvel has decided not to continue its attempts to offer Gordon-Levitt the lead in Guardians of the Galaxy.

Sin City: A Dame to Kill For is set for release on Oct. 4. Miller and The Departed’s William Monahan wrote the script.

Gordon-Levitt starred in Looper, Lincoln and The Dark Knight Rises in 2012. His next film is Don Juan’s Addiction, which he directed and stars in with Scarlett Johansson. The film will premiere at the Sundance Film Festival.