Rebecca Hall in talks for the female lead in Iron Man 3

While THE AVENGERS continues to rake in the dough both here and overseas, it’s funny to think that IRON MAN 3 is already almost set to begin shooting (happening later this month). And while we just found out that Jessica Chastain would not be taking on the female lead in the Shane Black-directed sequel, Variety now reports that the lovely Rebecca Hall (THE TOWN, THE PRESTIGE) will.

Variety says that Hall “would play a scientist who plays a pivotal role in the creation of a nanotechnology, known as Extremis, that winds up being sold to terrorists.” As the name indicates, the film will be borrowing from the six-issue Iron Man: Extremis run by Warren Ellis.

First Chastain and now Hall? It seems that the filmmakers want something more than just a pretty face. Which is f*cking great.

IRON MAN 3 opens May 3, 2013.