It looks like Marvel Studios was pretty happy with how Paramount handled this summer’s Iron Man; they’ve expanded their distribution deal with the studio for another five films. Poor Universal, left holding the remains of The Incredible Hulk.
Hulk, by the way, seems to be off the Marvel radar. This deal sets in stone the next five pictures, or at least that’s how I read it. If that’s the case, it looks like Marvel is only doing the Avengers tie-in films, with Ant-Man or other characters (including a Hulk sequel) being left out until after 2011. I’ve sent out some emails to try and clear that up for certain.
For the record, here’s the schedule of films that Marvel will be releasing through Paramount:
Iron Man 2 (May 7, 2010)
Thor (July 16, 2010)
The First Avenger: Captain America (May 6, 2011)
The Avengers (July 15, 2011)
Iron Man 3 (yet to be announced)
For Paramount this plugs some of the gaps created by the breakaway of Dreamworks.
Remember, this is just distribution – these will be Marvel productions through and through, so even if Ant-Man ends up at Universal, Nick Fury can still show up.