Chic, independent and cosmopolitan. That’s what Scarlett Johansson needed to score a cool modeling gig with Mango Clothes. Guess she’s got that all that in droves!

Here’s a fun little video from CelebTV about the starlet’s new gig for pal Penelope Cruz’s Mango Clothing 2009. You can catch Johansson next in "Iron Man 2," playing Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow opposite Robert Downey, Jr. It’s due in theaters May 7, 2010. Nice way to kick off the summer movie season next year.

Amazing the things you learn on Twitter. I’ve been following director Jon Favreau’s updates (follow him yourself at http://twitter.com/jon_favreau), and he posted today that this was Scarlett Johansson’s first day on the "Iron Man 2" set in her Black Widow outfit. "You’ve never heard a crew get so quiet so fast," tweets Favreau.

Johansson plays Natasha Romanoff in the "Iron Man" sequel, but this is the first confirmation that she would indeed appear as Black Widow in costume, as well.

Favreau also confirmed that Samuel L. Jackson would appear in the film as Nick Fury. We knew that, but there was speculation that he might show up as a cameo, like he did at the end of "Iron Man." But it sounds like he’ll definitely return as the S.H.I.E.L.D. director. Or at least, that’s what Favreau says in this tweet: "Now shooting first scene with Tony Stark and Nick Fury."

Anyone else following Favreau’s Twitter updates? Get on board! You, too, can be one of his 66,457 followers!

Image: Bauer-Griffin

Casting for "Iron Man 2" continues, with Kate Mara and Clark Gregg being the most recent actors to join the sequel. It’s directed by Jon Favreau, who also helmed the first movie.

I’ve been a big fan of Mara’s for a while, and especially loved her role in "Shooter," opposite Mark Wahlberg. Her character in "Iron Man 2" is being kept under wraps for now (anyone heard anything?). Scarlett Johansson is playing Black Widow, and Gwyneth Paltrow is returning as Pepper Pots.

Gregg is reprising his role as Agent Phil Coulson of S.H.I.E.L.D. I’m guessing he might play a major role in "The Avengers," as well. That movie is coming up in 2012.

"Iron Man 2" is scheduled for release on May 7, 2010, and it can’t get here fast enough for me. I need more of Robert Downey, Jr. as the dashing Tony Stark, and it’ll be a blast seeing Mickey Rourke as Ivan/Whiplash. I’m sure those two have plenty to talk about on set, since both have battled demons and had major comebacks in recent years.

Image Credit: Shooter, © Paramount Pictures; Source: Hollywood Reporter

When "Iron Man" was released on DVD, it came out in several different versions. One of the coolest is the limited issue "Iron Man, Ultimate 2-Disc Edition."

The discs are actually housed in an exclusive Iron Man head case package, and include lots of extra, including deleted and extended scenes, a 7-part making-of documentary, 6-part "History of the Hero," visual effects documentary, Robert Downey Jr. screen test, still galleries and more.

THE GIVEAWAY: One "Iron Man, Ultimate 2-Disc Edition" DVD (with head case packaging). 

TO ENTER: Simply leave a comment on this post by midnight on Saturday, May 2, 2009. Be sure to include a valid email address. A winner will be drawn randomly. I’ll email the winner for their snail-mail address after the contest ends. Good luck!

Image: Amazon.com

If you’re a fan of Robert Downey, Jr., Channing Tatum or Beyonce, then you should plan a trip to the theater this weekend. Take a peek, and let me know what YOU plan on seeing!

The Soloist (PG-13). Robert Downey, Jr. plays a reporter who bonds with a homeless, schizophrenic musician played by Jamie Foxx. [Trailer] [Official Site]

Fighting (PG-13). It’s the story of a small-town boy (Channing Tatum) who goes to NYC and gets caught up in the underworld of streetfighting and a scam artist (Terrence Howard). [Trailer] [Official Site]

Obsessed (PG-13). Heroes‘ Ali Larter starts stalking co-worker Idris Elba. That’s a really bad thing to do, seeing as he’s married to no-holds-barred Beyonce. [Clip & Trailer] [Official Site]

Opening in limited release: Mickey Rourke’s "The Informers" (NY), "Mutant Chronicles" (NY, LA, see photos here), "Baby on Board," "Empty Nest" (NY), "The Garden" (LA), "Il Divo" (NY), "Throw Down Your Heart" (NY), and "Tyson" (NY, LA).

Photo Credit: Francois Duhamel; Copyright (c) 2009 DW STUDIOS L.L.C. and UNIVERSAL STUDIOS. All rights reserved.

Finally, “The Soloist” arrives in theaters tomorrow. It was originally scheduled for a Dec. 12, 2008 release.

The movie stars Robert Downey, Jr. and Jamie Foxx as two men who form a special relationship over music. Foxx plays a gifted, homeless musician who dropped out of Julliard after developing schizophrenia. Downey, Jr. plays a reporter who becomes his friend. The movie is based on a real-life story, and it’s rated PG-13 for language, thematic elements, and some drug use.

More after the jump, including a trailer…

Read more

The 81st Annual Academy Awards, a.k.a. the Oscars, is just days away! The show will air live from Hollywood’s Kodak Theatre on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2009 at 5 pm PT/8 pm ET, on ABC.

All of the nominees are having a whirlwind week, and that’s putting it mildly. Each year, they gather for the Nominees’ Luncheon, and this year’s attendees included Kate Winslet, Anne Hathaway, Robert Downey, Jr. (so darn cute, I can’t stand it) and a host of other stars. See what they had to say about all the hoopla.