Hot on the heels of Mickey Rourke’s reported signing to Iron Man 2, Scarlett Johansson has been announced as Black Widow, the role from which Emily Blunt withdrew due to scheduling.  Marvel’s offer to Johansson is being described as a “lowball.”  Meanwhile, my offer to Johansson is being described as “obscene and perplexing.”

Unlike Mickey’s money, the deal for her is “just the opposite, a terrible deal made by CAA,” one of my insiders says. “It’s as bad as any deal that I’ve heard. It’s lowball money. And it ties her to countless movies, including that ensemble The Avengers, which is what makes this brutal for a lot of actors.” [NikkiFinke]

But the deal also means she won’t have to go out looking for new roles or auditions, and I get the impression that Scarlett Johansson is really lazy. I don’t know why.  She just has that oh I’m so tired, I shouldn’t even be awake voice.  Also, in an ironic twist, “Emily Blunt” was her nickname in high school.  True story.

The Young Victoria stars Emily Blunt in an incendiary tale of costumes, gossip, social climbing, and intrigue. People are already saying it makes The Duchess look like Elizabeth: Golden Age.  Boy, I hope this one has passionate longing. Passionate longing is like swordfights to menopausal white women.

[Thanks to RoboPanda for the tip]