Just about two weeks ago, it was announced that Ben Kingsley would star as the villain in the upcoming 'Iron Man 3.'  Today we have news about another new addition to the superhero sequel.  Guy Pearce, soon to be seen starring in Ridley Scott's 'Prometheus,' has joined the cast in a role comic readers will be familiar with...

As was previously reported, 'Iron Man 3' will follow the events that take place in the Warren Ellis miniseries "Iron Man: Extremis." Pearce will star as Aldrich Killian, a scientist from the "Extremis" comics who creates the "Extremis virus", a nanotechnology-based disease that was meant to replicate the effects of Captain America's Super Soldier serum.  Killian releases the virus hoping that the government will see what it is capable of and continue to fund his research.  The only problem is that Mallen (thought to be played by Ben Kingsley in the film) takes the first dose and becomes a dangerous supervillain.

Later, Tony Stark uses the Extremis virus to bond with the Iron Man armor making him stronger and faster, melding the suit to his bones.  How all of this is adapted to the movie remains to be seen.

Pearce, no stranger to being in consideration for superhero films, joins a cast that includes Robert Downey, Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle and Kingsley.

Shane Black ('Kiss Kiss Bang Bang') wrote the script for 'Iron Man 3' and will direct the film later this year in North Carolina and China (leading to further speculation that Mandarin is somehow involved).  In addition to 'Prometheus', Pearce can be seen in 'Lawless' with Shia LaBeouf, which will have its debut at the Cannes Film Festival.

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