Rourke, Johansson Will Star in the Upcoming "Iron Man" Sequel

According to E! Online, on Wednesday, the 24-year-old Johansson has agreed to play opposite Robert Downey, Jr. in the coming film. She will play as the Russian super spy, Natasha Romanoff aka Black Widow.

Meanwhile, Variety magazine reported that after months of salary negotiations, the 52-year-old Rourke has signed on to play the villain, Whiplash, in the sequel. Rourke's character will also include elements from another comic book character, the Russian villain, Crimson Dynamo.

Johansson and Rourke will join other cast members of the film, which include actress Gwyneth Paltrow as Tony Stark's executive assistant, Pepper Potts, Don Cheadle, who replaced Terrence Howard as Iron Man's best friend, Col. James "Rhodey" Rhodes, Sam Rockwell as Justin Hammer, and Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury.

The film will be released on May 7, 2010.