Scarlett Johansson not just a hot chick

Apr 16, 2010, 16:31 GMT

Scarlett Johansson didn't get cast in 'Iron Man 2' just because she is a "hot chick".

The 25-year-old actress plays sexy Russian spy Black Widow in the superhero movie but her co-star Robert Downey Jr. - who plays the titular character and his alter-ego Tony Stark - insists he and director Jon Favreau didn't just want her to eye candy.

Robert said: "We were thrilled to get Scarlett and we said to her, 'You're not going to be some kind of Marvel spin-off story thing because we want a hot chick kicking a*s in this movie.' And I think we managed that."

In the sequel - which is based on the Marvel comic book series - Scarlett's character is involved in a love triangle with Tony and his assistant Pepper Potts, who is played by Gwyneth Paltrow.

Robert added in an interview with the Daily Record newspaper: "A love triangle is a device, and a love triangle is convenient, and a love triangle - even done badly - is better than not having one at all."

Robert also stars in the movie with Mickey Rourke, who plays Russian super-villain Whiplash, and Samuel L. Jackson, who portrays super-spy Nick Fury.