Jessica Chastain Passes on 'Iron Man 3' Role

Kevin Mazur/WireImage/Getty Images

For Jessica Chastain to appear in the next Marvel film, she would need a supersonic flight suit that could jet her around the world in record speed. Unfortunately, those only exist in comic books -- and via special effects, movies based on comics -- so it turns out that Chastain will not be appearing in Iron Man 3.

our editor recommends

Jessica Chastain in Talks to Join 'Iron Man 3'

Oscar Fashion: Jessica Chastain Rules the Red Carpet in Alexander McQueen (Poll)

Berlin 2012: Jessica Chastain and Joel Edgerton Set for Double Feature

PHOTOS: Elizabeth Olsen, Jessica Chastain Pose for 'THR'

THR has confirmed that the Oscar-nominee, who appeared in six films in 2011 alone, was offered the role of a scientist in the third go round of Marvel's most successful single hero film franchise, but has officially passed on the part.

In a note posted to her Facebook wall, she wrote, "Sorry to say that Iron Man 3 isn't going to work out. My schedule is jammed packed and I can't fit anything else in. The press announced my possible attachment far too soon. I know many of you wanted me to be involved, and I'm so sorry to disappoint you. Hopefully there'll be another Marvel film in my future. Shane Black and everyone on the IM3 team are really wonderful. I'm very excited to see the film when it comes out. xx"

Black will helm the Iron Man series for the first time, after Jon Favreau directed the first two. Robert Downey Jr. returns as the titular hero, Gwyneth Paltrow will reprise her role as his assistant and girlfriend Pepper Potts, Don Cheadle will again play Lt. Col. Rhodes. Newcomers Ben Kingsley and Guy Pearce also join the cast as well.