Whether due to the flailing economy, conflicting schedules or building a logical and even-spaced progression of entertainment leading into The Avengers, Marvel has taken a red pen to their film schedule and jumbled nearly every previously announced release date.
First out the gate will be Iron Man 2, the only Marvel financed and produced film to not receive a new release date. It is still on track for May 7, 2010 and will begin principle photography in the coming months.
Thor was originally scheduled for July 16, 2010 as a quick followup to Iron Man. Now Thor fans will have to wait an extra year; the new date is July 17, 2011.
Previously The First Avenger: Captain America was slated for May 6, 2011. Its date has slid back to July 22, 2011, a little more than a month after Thor.
These all lead into the first Avengers film which was originally tapped for July 15, 2011 but will now not arrive until May 4, 2012.
“This new schedule strongly sequences Marvel’s movie debut dates, big screen character introductions and momentum. It maximizes the visibility of our single character-focused films, leading to the highly anticipated release of the multi-character The Avengers film in 2012,” said David Maisel, Chairman, Marvel Studios.
Noticeably missing from the list is any sign of a Hulk sequel which will either have to wait until after The Avengers or has been deep-sixed to give way to other characters.
