Emily Blunt in Line for Iron Man 2 Role

According to the trades, Emily Blunt (The Devil Wears Prada) is the frontrunner to play Natasha Romanoff in Iron Man 2. The character is a Soviet super-spy who doubles as Black Widow, a beauty in a skintight black costume enhanced by high-tech weaponry.

Romanoff grows up to serve as a femme fatale who attempts to seduce Tony Stark and inevitably confronts his superhero alter ego, Iron Man. Later, Romanoff defected to the United States and eventually joins the super-team the Avengers as a costumed superhero, but ultimately betrays them.

In the Marvel universe the Black Widow is an extraordinary gymnast, athlete, and hand-to hand combatant, trained in several martial arts. Soviet government treatments have given her enhanced strength, durability, and immune system. Due to this, she ages very slowly, and still appears young and beautiful, despite being in her late 60s. She is an accomplished espionage agent, and speaks several languages.

The Jon Favreau-directed film stars Robert Downey Jr., Don Cheadle and Gwyneth Paltrow. Last week it was announced that Mickey Rourke and Sam Rockwell are in talks to play villains in the big-budget sequel. It has also been revealed that Paul Bettany will be back to voice Jarvis, Tony Stark’s artificial intelligence assistant.

Justin Theroux (Tropic Thunder) is writing the flick and production is slated to start in the spring for release by Paramount in summer 2010.