courtesy of Paramount Pictures

Based on the box office numbers that "Iron Man" brought in this weekend ($104.2 million domestic, the second best ever for a non-sequel), it appears that people love Robert Downey Jr. and still can't get enough of films based on Marvel Comics superheroes. Listening to the sound of the register ringing, Marvel announced on Monday that they have given the green light to four new films.

The studio has set the release date for an "Iron Man" sequel on April 30, 2010, and will be pushing forward a "Thor" movie (to be directed by "Stardust" producer/director Matthew Vaughan) for a summer 2010 release. They have also announced two Avengers-themed films for release in summer 2011: a Captain America film and the long-awaited Avengers film.

With "The Incredible Hulk" releasing this June and DC Comics' big gun "The Dark Knight" coming out in July, it's a very good time to be a fan of classic superheroes.

(Source: http://www.marvel.com/news/movies.3493.Marvel_Movies_Assemble%21)