Marvel Studios Repositions Film Slate

AKA - Yet another example of how Marvel Studios is out-doing Warner Brothers/DC Comics.

The studio has opted to re-position their entire lineup of film projects. The original plan was to have Iron Man 2 and Kenneth Branagh's Thor for Summer 2010 with Captain America and The Avengers for the following Summer of 2011.

Well now Marvel has announced that the Iron Man sequel will (obviously) remain in its May 7, 2010 release. Meanwhile, Thor moves to Summer 2011 with Captain America (which has been pushed back from May to now July '11) "building up" to The Avengers for May 2012.

It's safe to assume that most of us thought The Avengers would be pushed back - especially with the news of Warner Brothers moving Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows - Part II for a July 2011 release. That and said "team-up" will be heavily dependant in how Thor and Captain America turn out.

Also on docket is the announcement that Spider-Man 4 will officially open the Summer of 2011 with a May 6 release. I''m curious to see how that one's coming along!

Now compare all of this to WB/DC who don't have anywhere near as concrete a plan.

To be fair, we know they have Batman III coming down the pipeline (although not surprisingly it appears that might be headed to 2012 thanks to Nolan's Inception), Jonah Hex for a late Summer 2010 release followed by Green Lantern that Christmas and the Superman Returns follow-up (most likely a "requel") coming...eventually - my guess is Christmas 2011. Although I still wouldn't count out Kal-El to return (again) for that Summer instead.