By Georg Szalai
NEW YORK (Hollywood Reporter) - Following the film's
blockbuster opening weekend, Marvel Entertainment is planning
an "Iron Man" sequel for 2010 after a 2009 without feature
releases.
In its earnings report Monday morning, the company unveiled
its film release plans for the next three years. They are
designed "to focus its attention on maximizing the success of
an 'Iron Man' sequel and the launch of 'Thor' in the summer of
2010," it said.
The company has set April 30, 2010, as the release date for
"Iron Man 2" and confirmed that it will not have a new film out
next year.
"Thor" is slated for June 4, 2010. Marvel also is planting
its feature film stakes for 2011 with an Avengers-themed
summer.
The May 6, 2011, release of what is now going under the
working title "The First Avenger: Captain America" will be
followed by "The Avengers" in July.
"Because Marvel believes that the summer is the optimal
time to launch a new property, the company will not release a
self produced film in 2009," the company said.
"Iron Man," the first self-financed production from Marvel
Studios, topped box-office expectations by grossing nearly
$100.1 million in its opening weekend in North American ticket
sales.
The film starred Robert Downey Jr. as billionaire
industrialist and playboy Tony Stark, who invents a high-tech
suit of armor that transforms him into a superhero.
Reuters/Hollywood Reporter
