2011 is going to be an exciting year for Marvel Studios it will see their fourth and fifth films released. Even more exciting is that they'll be aiming for two more releases the following year. One of the films being the anticipated Avengers. The other is unknown but we do know Marvel could be planning on releasing it a few months before the Avengers. The options seem like it's down to Edgar Wright's Ant-Man or the Nick Fury film starring Samuel L. Jackson.
Of course there has been talk of Iron Man 3 being in development but I think Robert Downey Jr. is going to want a rest between Sherlock Holmes 2 and Avengers. Along with director Jon Favreau being busy with Cowboys & Aliens and no script in place for the third installment. To setup Avengers they might need a film to focus on Dr. Hank Pym or one showcasing the history of Nick Fury. So that audiences have previous knowledge of these characters. The other Marvel films could include Incredible Hulk 2, War Machine, Black Widow and Hawkeye. The Hulk sequel could be on hold if director Louis Leterrier gets to direct Avengers. From what I know the other spin-offs aren't in active development.
ANT-MAN
Edgar Wright and co-writer Joe Cornish (Tintin) have completed the second draft of the script. Wright is in post-production of Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World with a release date in August. So he'll be free to start pre-production on Ant-Man in September. Holding the film back is that Edgar has many other film projects in development which include Baby Driver and World's End. I expect since Edgar has been involved with Ant-Man since 2004 and producer Kevin Feige being vocal of the film it could possibly be next. It goes without saying after Scott Pilgrim is released people will be dying to see Wright's Ant-Man film.
Ant-Man will more than likely focus on a story blending the characters of Dr. Hank Pym and Scott Lang. It will be interesting to see if they'll incorporate the many different hero personas Pym (Yellow Jacket/Wasp/Giant Man/Goliath) develops for himself and wife Janet (The Wasp and Giant Girl). Pym and Janet are of founding members of The Avengers and it would seem appropriate to include them in the film.
NICK FURY/SHIELD
To expand the world of SHIELD it's obvious that Marvel will have to establish the agency and the people working behind the scenes. Samuel L. Jackson is set to star which is included in his massive deal with Marvel Studios. Fury is the one getting all the heroes together for the Avengers. I'm sure his film could finally reveal to us why they need to join and it could develop the major threat for Avengers. I see the Fury film being the bridge between the other Marvel films and characters.
While they haven't announced a director or supporting cast they have hired Andrew W. Marlowe to write the film. Marlowe previously wrote Air Force One, End of Days and Hollow Man.
The assumption is that we could see Clark Gregg in the film reprising his role of SHIELD agent Colson. There had been rumors that Kate Mara could be playing another agent in Iron Man 2. Some of the most recognizable agents include Dum Dum Dugan, Sharon Carter and Maria Hill. They could appear alongside other established heroes like Black Widow and War Machine. I'm sure they'll be able to finally bring Hawkeye into the mix as well. It's been previously stated we will see the SHIELD Helicarrier used in the film which Stark builds for the government.
FINAL THOUGHTS
While I believe both films could be vying for the second summer 2012 release date its more than two years away. Avatar and Sherlock Holmes are proving that December is becoming the new blockbuster release month. I could see one of the films being released in March 2012 and the other early December 2011. I also don't think it's all that bad if they release Ant-Man after Avengers in July. While it could be interesting to see Hank and Janet in Avengers it might become too bloated with heroes. I'm sure Marvel could hold a few characters back for Avengers 2.
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