Academy Award nominee Jessica Chastain (The Help, Lawless) is reportedly in talks to join the cast of director Shane Black‘s forthcoming installment of Marvel Studios‘ wildly successful Iron Man franchise, opposite Robert Downey Jr., Guy Pearce and Ben Kingsley.

Deadline reports that Chastain would portray “a sexy scientist every bit as smart as Tony Stark“. While Chastain was previously considered for the role, her filming schedule was already full and Marvel was in talks with Diane Kruger, Gemma Arterton and Isla Fisher for the role, but an opening in Chastain’s schedule has made her the front-runner.

Iron Man 3 is slated to hit theaters on May 3rd, 2013.