"Iron Man" cast keeps getting better as Jeff Bridges signs on

OK...this is getting ridiculous...but in a great way!

It was genius casting to get Robert Downey Jr. to play the title role (and alter ego Tony Stark) in the upcoming, Jon Favreau-directed film adaptation of "Iron Man." Then, Terrence Howard signed on as Stark's friend/pilot, Jim "Rhodey" Rhodes.

And getting an actress of the caliber of Gwyneth Paltrow to play Stark's assistant, Virginia "Pepper" Potts, was an absolute coup. Surely, that was enough star power for what many non-comics people call a film based on a "second-tier" Marvel Comics character.

Well, apparently that wasn't enough as Jeff Bridges has joined the cast as what is being described as a "character...central to the entire storyline of the film."

According to this story at Superherohype.com, Bridges will portray a close business associate of Tony Stark--a confidant and longtime employee at Stark Industries. The article also says Bridges' character plays a major role in shaping Tony Stark's life.

Also, if you haven't noticed, all four actors mentioned above (Downey, Howard, Paltrow and Bridges) have been past nominees for Academy Awards, with Paltrow winning Best Actress in 1998 for "Shakespeare in Love."

"Iron Man" is slated for a May 2, 2008, release...and it can't get here soon enough.