Scarlett Johansson Heats Up the Big Screen in Upcoming "Iron Man 2"

Scarlett Johansson is hardly a newbie in Hollywood, having first been seen in 1994's "North," and arguably most famously as Charlotte in "Lost in Translation." Scarlett Johansson stars as Black Widow aka Natasha Romanoff in both the upcoming Iron Man-themed movies, including this years Iron Man 2, due out in May, as well as The Avengers, which is tentatively scheduled for a 2012 release. For the uninitiated, Scarlett Johansson will be playing the part of sexy Soviet spy Natasha Romanoff, though whether she will as yet be an ally with Tony Stark at this time remains to be seen. One thing is certain, Ms. Johansson's appearance as the newest Marvel character adapted for the big screen is nothing if not scorching hot.

Scarlett Johansson has continually been involved with projects that tend to stretch beyond what might be thought of as typical of a Hollywood starlet. "Girl with a pearl earring," the 2003 story of an artist and his muse was nominated for three Oscars. In 2004, "The Spongebob Squarepants Movie saw Scarlett Johansson lend her voice talents to the character "Mindy," and though 2008's "The other Boleyn Girl" wasn't the most original retelling of a well-told historical legend, Scarlett Johansson lent to the part plenty of gusto.

Of Scarlett Johansson's Iron Man 2 appearance, only time will tell as to whether she'll fire it up or fizzle in the Marvel Universe. Iron Man 2, however, unlike some of the more mundane Marvel fare (think Hulk) has already proven itself as a franchise with the steller performance turned in during the first Iron Man movie.