Following the $100 million weekend box office of Paramount's "Iron Man", Marvel Entertainment announced today a series of "Avengers" films, beginning with an Iron Man sequel."Iron Man 2" is now scheduled for an April 30, 2010 release.
Marvel Studios' David Maisel said that the date will continue Marvel's tradition of kicking off the summer movie season.
"We view that as an optimum time," Maisel said.
Thor is scheduled for a June 4, 2010 release, The First Avenger: Captain America for May 6, 2011 and "The Avengers', July 2011.Maisel said "Iron Man 2" will be used to introduce "Thor".
Marvel's outsourced movies, the Montreal-shot Punisher: War Zone from Lionsgate opens Dec. 5 and X-Men Origins: Wolverine from 20th Century Fox, opens May 1, 2009.
Maisel said development of "Spider-Man 4" continues with Sony Pictures.
Marvel's animation plans include :
"Iron Man: Armored Adventures" debuts spring 2009 on Nicktoons. Other toons include "Hulk Gamma Corps" and "Super Hero Squad".
Direct-to-DVD movies include "Next Avengers: Heroes of Tomorrow" for late 2008, "Hulk Vs." for early 2009, "Thor: Son of Asgard", late 2009 and "Planet Hulk", early 2010....
