Wham, bam, thank you highly profitable Iron Man…

Updated on May 5, 2008 By Ken Begg 10 Comments

“Marvel today updated its feature film slate strategy and plans for the next three years, locking in key release windows for its character franchises. In order to focus its attention on maximizing the success of an Iron Man sequel and the launch of Thor in the summer of 2010 and 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. Marvel plans to launch its 2010 film slate with the release of the sequel, Iron Man 2, on April 30, 2010, followed by the launch of Thor on June 4, 2010. Additionally, Marvel is planting its feature film stakes for summer 2011 with an Avengers-themed summer – a two-picture project which will debut on May 6, 2011 with The First Avenger: Captain America (working title), followed by The Avengers in July 2011.”

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  • After seeing the Iron Man movie (which was awesome, by the way), I’m convinced that it was the beginning of a long-spanning arch where guest appearances in different movies would build up anticipation and lead to the Avengers movie. My heart leaps with boundless joy at this news.

    The Captain America movie has to simply be “Captain America” though.

  • Joe

    I hope Reb returns.

  • sardu

    I’m interested in what Jon Favreau will use his (presumed) new A-list golden boy status to get into production. If he’s sitting on some King Kong dream project, now’s the time…

  • Flickflack

    Oh dear… they really are going to a Captain America movie. That’s been the kiss-of-death for Marvel movies for awhile now.

  • Ericb

    I’m sort of suprised at the big numbers Iron Man is bringing in. I always though of him as more of a cult figure or at least being on the b-list of superheros, nowhere near the same level as Batman, Superman, Spiderman or even the Fantastic Four.

  • John Nowak

    I’ve suspected for a while that Iron Man had potential for a film. “Guy in armored suit” is a credible starting point for a superhero, the armor should look good in CGI, and there’s the potential of selling lots of different armor types as toys. So good for Marvel; I’m looking forward to seeing this.

    I’m wondering about Avengers though. So far, the successful superhero films have either focussed on a single superhero or on multiple heroes with the same origin story, and a second origin for the villain.

    I really wonder if “Hi, I’m a World War II Super Soldier!” “And Me gamma-ray monstrosity!” “I’m a sane, exaggerated Howard Huges!” “And I talk to bugs!” and “Forsooth, I be Son of Odin!” in the same film (Before the villains show up) might break credibility.

  • I think the “Avengers” concept has a chance – if they take an “X-Men” approach to it. You need strong characters, that can hold their own (like Wolverine). But finding the likes of Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen or Hugh Jackman would surely prove to be a challenge. Captain America is tough – since we are no longer in patriot WW2 mode.

  • The Captain America movie should go the same route as the one in The Ultimates (which were, in my opinion, the most cinematic, awe-inspiring parts of the comic).

    They always remind the reader that Cap — a military man through and through — is a product of a more gung-ho time. Yet the book also remind everyone that he’s a born leader, perhaps because he is a young man with the mindset of the Greatest Generation.

  • Fox Cutter

    I kind of hope when the do the Cap movie they will start it with him being unfrozen and not try to have the super solder bit then get frozen as the first act.

    On the other hand the Cap movie might be ALL WWII, ending with him being frozen and he could be unthawed at the start of the Avenger’s movie. Really I think that would work better as it allows Cap to be setup in his own time and have a strong back story.

  • Fox Cutter,

    I agree that your second proposal is the one most fans would go with. They really do seem to be wanting to tie all these movies into one connected unit, so having the Cap movie basically be all in WWII and then de-icing him a few months later in the Avengers movie would be terrific. We’ll just have to see whether they think a period Cap movie would make sense. I hope so.

    Also, they really should just do the origin story of the Avengers for the movie, which involves the heroes coming together to track down the Hulk. That would allow for a Hulk/Thor/Iron Man fight, which would be the VERY COOLEST THING EVER.

    Anyway, I do mean to write up my general thoughts on this topic. I should probably get to that soon.