Los Angeles - Agence France-Presse


A slew of Marvel comic superheroes are set to arrive on the big screen following the debut box-office success of "Iron Man," entertainment press reported Tuesday.

Marvel's film division was now planning to adapt several of the comic giant's superheroes, including Thor and Captain America – in the wake of "Iron Man's" triumphant opening, industry media said.

The film, starring Robert Downey Jr. as an eccentric billionaire industrialist who builds an armored suit to fight the forces of evil, recorded the 10th biggest opening of all time, earning around $200 million worldwide.

The movie's box-office take represented a triumphant debut for Marvel's newly founded film studio. Previous film adaptations of Marvel superheroes, notably "Spider-Man" and "X-Men," were produced by Sony and Fox.

Daily Variety said Marvel was now planning an "Iron Man" sequel to be released in April 2010, before releasing "Thor," based on the hammer-wielding Norse god, in June.

In 2011 Marvel will release "The First Avenger: Captain America" in May, followed by "The Avengers," featuring Iron Man, Incredible Hulk, Captain America and Thor, in July.

Before that Marvel will release a new version of "The Incredible Hulk," starring Edward Norton, next month.

"This is clearly a transformative time for Marvel," Marvel Studios Chairman David Maisel was quoted as saying by Variety.

"It was important for us to get much more control of our destiny and the ability to greenlight and make these movies on a predictable basis."

Shares in Marvel Entertainment soared by more than 9 percent Monday following the box-office results of "Iron Man."