Marvel plans 'Avengers' summer for 2011 with two-pic cycle

Basking in the glow of the $100-plus-million domestic opening for "Iron Man," Marvel announced an upcoming schedule that includes a July 2011 release date for the long-awaited "The Avengers."

With "Iron Man," Marvel's first self-produced feature, already over $200 million worldwide in only five days of release, the company can now turn its attentions to the release of "The Incredible Hulk" later this summer and "Punisher: War Zone" in December.

While 20th Century Fox is producing the Marvel-affiliated "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" for release on May 1, 2009, Marvel Studios will sit out 2009, prepping for what will be an extremely busy following few years.

Marvel Studios said Monday (May 5) that "Iron Man 2" will hit theaters on April 30, 2010, though it's unclear which parts of the original's creative team will return. Then Marvel hopes to release "Thor," from director Matthew Vaughan ("Stardust"), on June 4, 2010.

The company has then set aside 2011 as an "Avengers"-themed summer. Leading off is "The First Avenger: Captain America," set for May 6, 2011. A yet-to-be-specified July 2011 is expected for "The Avengers," a superhero all-star pic set up after the closing credits of "Iron Man."

As one might expect, all titles and release dates are subject to change.