"Iron Man 2" Already Given A Release Date

LOS ANGELES — This weekend was just the beginning of Hollywood's Iron age.

Marvel Studios announced Monday it will release "Iron Man 2" on April 30, 2010, following the success of the first in the comic-book franchise, which pulled in $104.2 million domestically since opening last Thursday and $201 million worldwide.

Four other films based on Marvel superheroes also were announced: "Thor," due out June 4, 2010; "The First Avenger: Captain America," May 6, 2011; "The Avengers," July 2011; and "Ant-Man," which is in development but has no release date.

Marvel also has "The Incredible Hulk," starring Edward Norton, coming out this June 13 from Universal Studios.

Just as Downey's character, Tony Stark, makes an appearance in next month's "The Incredible Hulk," the Hulk could turn up in "Iron Man 2," Marvel Studios Chairman David Maisel said during a conference call to discuss the company's earnings. And "The Avengers" consists of a rotating roster of Marvel heroes _ including original members Iron Man, the Hulk, Ant-Man and Thor _ that could see the return of virtually any of the franchise's characters.

"In controlling our destiny, we can control where the characters are and we can have our movies connect and be in the same universe," Maisel said.

"Iron Man" was the first film financed by Marvel, which previously licensed its superheroes to Hollywood studios for such hits as the "Spider-Man," "X-men" and "Fantastic Four" flicks.

Seeking more creative control and a bigger cut of the receipts, Marvel plans to make future films itself and hire studios to distribute them for a fee.

Starring Robert Downey Jr. as a billionaire weapons designer who builds himself a high-tech metal suit to fight bad guys, "Iron Man" exceeded box-office expectations, coming in second only to the first "Spider-Man" for debuts among non-sequels.

Comments

[dct1999]

I didn't want to see it either, but like other posters I took my sons and my nephews. THe movie was excellent, the cast was great especially Bridges and Downey. I'm taking my wife to see it tonight.

[marijam]

Awesome movie! First movie I've seen that I want to go back and see it a second time.

[edpell]

I was the movie because my son wanted to see it. But I was happily surprised. It is want we want, yes you need to suspend your disbelief of some points, but a feel good movie.

[WRPrintz]

Iron Man was a solid film, directed by a solid Director, with a good supporting cast, a good script and a good budget.....as long as Marvel can keep that up, it is going to keep turning out 200 million dollar hits...and quite frankly, with the combo it had, 200 million world wide in the first release week is well deserved.

[gonavy]

I really did not want to go see this movie, but went to make my boys happy. I initially thought RDJ was not a good choice. I was soo wrong!

This is not a "wait till it comes out on DVD" movie.

Very well done with a good amount of sarcastic humor.

[ruscle]

I enjoyed the underlying message in Iron Man that creating weapons of mass destruction creates the possibility and likelihood that such weapons will eventually end up in the wrong hands. Finally, a super hero flick that has more than teen angst backing it up.

[rini]

Yeah,

It's a scary fact...but it's true. Remember Mutual Assured Destruction????

[kellygrrrl]

So happy for Robert Downey Jr!!!!!

talk about the comeback kid!

Congrats RDJ!

[bija]

I will watch it on DVD when it comes out. I am kind of sick of movies based on comic books though.

[gonavy]

See it in the theatre. It is worth it.

[43P04T34]

The future will not be kind to you.

[DebofMD]

This movie was great; saw it this weekend. I definitely think I'm going to go see it again.

[halyscomet]

Super! (No pun intended) Saw Iron Man today and it was excellent!

[AdamND]

are they making it have to do with the Avengers or is it just an Iron Man 2 film?

[iLogos]

Given the release date of the next movie and the release date of Avengers, and a certain foul-mouthed one-eyed man discussing an "initiative," I think it is fair to say the movie will not revolve around the Avengers, but will probably either have cameo's (as hinted above) or end with the teaser for the film.

[TheLionOfLosAngeles]

Iron Man was sweet. However, I can see from the previews that The Incredible Hulk is crap. Hulk looks so fake. The money they made on Iron Man they will immediately lose on The Hulk.

[Snoman]

Looks fake? As opposed to the "real" Hulk?

[kiddub]

Green Paint worked for Lou Farrigno.