IRON MAN 3
After the events of The Avengers, Tony Stark feels dejected. Is he a hero? Is his Iron Man suit responsible for saving New York?
The film looks to see Robert Downey Jr. undergoing a severe crisis of identity just as his greatest enemy enters the fray, The Mandarin. Portrayed by Sir Ben Kingsley, this foe is Stark’s ultimate nemesis from the film’s comic book origins.
Directed byShane Black rather than series regular Jon Favreau, Iron Man 3 will mark the beginning of what Marvel is calling ‘Phase Two’ of its films which will lead directly into The Avengers 2 in May 2015.
Release date: April 25th, 2013
THOR: THE DARK WORLD
Back in Asgard, the God of Thunder faces a new threat in the form of the Dark Elf Malekith played by ex-Doctor Who Christopher Eccleston. Natalie Portman is set to return as Jane Foster, as will Odin himself: Sir Anthony Hopkins.
As Thor retains possession of The Tesseract after the events of The Avengers, presumably the post-credits sequence showing major Marvel villain Thanos from Whedon’s film will be paid off through a more thorough introduction of the character. Expect to be treated to Chris Hemsworth’s golden locks back on the big screen later this year.
Release date: November 8th, 2013
CAPTAIN AMERICA 2
Subtitled ‘The Winter Soldier’, Chris Evans will again don the star-spangled shield in this sequel. Following on from The Avengers, Cap has to adjust to the modern world while being forced to confront his brainwashed friend James ‘Bucky’ Barnes.
Under the guiding hand of Avengers’ director Joss Whedon, like all of these ‘Phase Two’ films, Captain America 2 will see its hero isolated on a path to self-discovery. The team has been separated before its return in 2015, and it will be joined by another group in the shape of James Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy in August 2014.
Release date: April 4th, 2014