Ironman 2 set for mid-2010

Reuters

WHO'S NEXT? With the release of Iron Man, the fledgling Marvel Studios is looking at which of its staple of iconic superheroes to bring to the big screen next.

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Following the film's blockbuster opening weekend, Marvel Entertainment is planning an Ironman sequel for 2010 after a 2009 without feature releases.

In its earnings report, the company unveiled its film release plans for the next three years.

They are designed "to focus its attention on maximising the success of an Ironman 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 Ironman 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.

Ironman, the first self-financed production from Marvel Studios, topped box-office expectations by grossing nearly $US100.1 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 armour that transforms him into a superhero.