Marvel plans include “Iron Man 3″

A report over at Newsarama indicates that Marvel and Paramount will expand their current deal.  Paramount gains the worldwide distribution rights to Marvel’s next five live-action films: Iron Man 2 (May 2, 2010); Thor (July 16, 2010); The First Avenger: Captain America (May 6, 2011); The Avengers (July 15, 2011) and Iron Man 3, no release date set. Kenneth Branagh is in talks to direct “Thor,” which Marvel says will be a “Lord of the Rings” style movie.

So, what’s missing from this lineup? “Hulk 2,” apparently.  Despite what seemed to be better buzz on the second attempt to make a big-screen “Hulk” film, it doesn’t look like a sequel is in Marvel’s immediate plans.

Meanwhile, new “Spider-Man” films are still happening at Sony, and MTV recently reported that a third “Fantastic Four” was unlikely.

– Matt Price