Disney Announces 'Iron Man 3' Release Date

Just minutes ago, it was revealed that Disney would be paying a lump sum to acquire the marketing and distribution rights to the last Marvel Studio films under the Paramount Pictures deal, The Avengers and Iron Man 3. Part of this announcement came as a surprise as we didn't know that Marvel was this close to announcing a third Iron Man film. I speculated that it probably meant that Iron Man 3 would be released in either 2012 or 2013. We now have a confirmation.

Walt Disney Pictures and Buena Vista have announced that Iron Man 3 will hit theaters on May 3rd 2013.

This makes sense as the first film was released on May 2nd 2008, and Iron Man 2 hit theaters on May 7th 2010. Marvel and Disney want to keep the first weekend of May for their Iron Man franchise. Thor has already claimed the May 6th 2011 weekend.