Avengers 2 release date announced, Iron Man 3 delayed by injury

Yes, fangirls and fanboys (and everyone else), the Avengers will assemble again. But alas, not for another three years.

Walt Disney and Marvel Studios announced on August 16 that the official release date for the sequel to The Avengers, which starred Robert Downey Jr. (Iron Man), Captain America (Chris Evans), Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Mark Ruffalo (the Hulk), Scarlett Johansson (Black Widow), and Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) will be May 1, 2015.

Joss Whedon is returning to write and direct the sequel to this year's superhero blockbuster. The Avengers grossed almost $1.5 billion worldwide.

For those who fear that they'll be unable to endure the wait, rest assured that there'll be plenty of other Avengers action on screens in the interim.

A series of sequels will fill the gap. Iron Man 3 is set for release in May 3, 2013, followed by Thor: The Dark World on November 8, and then Captain America: The Winter Soldier on April 4, 2014.

However, Marvel Studios has also announced that the Iron Man 3 production schedule has been briefly delayed due to a minor injury by the film's star.

Downey injured his ankle while shooting a stunt for the movie in Wilmington, North Carolina. Iron Man 3, which also stars Gwyneth Paltrow and Don Cheadle, is directed by Shane Black (Kiss Kiss Bang Bang) while the previous two installments were directed by Jon Favreau.

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