Avengers 2 Likely Release Date Is May 1, 2015

The big news of Tuesday was that Disney's CEO Bob Iger revealed that Joss Whedon had been signed to write and direct Avengers 2. However, Iger stopped short or revealing when the much anticipated Avengers sequel would be released. In fact, Iger specifically stated that the sequel would come out "at a time we haven't announced yet." Of course, after the call, Marvel Studios revealed that Joss Whedon had been signed to an exclusive contract through June 2015. Considering that the Marvel Studios films for 2013 and 2014 have already been revealed, it would seem likely that the earliest The Avengers would hit theaters would be sometime in 2015. Considering that Joss Whedon's contract runs through June 2015, it's not difficult to figure out the likely release date of The Avengers will be sometime in May 2015. In fact, Marvel Studios has traditionally been rather fond of the first Friday in May, which is considered the start of the summer movie season. Iron Man, Iron Man 2, Thor, and The Avengers were all released on the first Friday in May. The upcoming Iron Man 3 is also scheduled to be released on the first Friday in May 2013. If Marvel Studios sticks to this pattern, then the most likely release date for The Avengers 2 will be Friday, May 1, 2015. Now, the only wrinkle in this logic is Marvel Studios is breaking with tradition in 2014, and Captain America The Winter Soldier is being released on April 4, 2014. Could this mean that Marvel Studios might try to rush The Avengers 2 into a May 2014 release date? Not likely, because the reason that Captain America The Winter Solider is opening in April is because Sony has slated The Amazing Spider-Man 2 for a May 2, 2014 release date. With Guardians of the Galaxy and likely Ant-Man also scheduled for 2014, Marvel Studios would be hard-pressed to work The Avengers 2 into 2014. Plus, Fox has also slated X-Men: Days of Future Past for a July 18, 2014 release date, so we're talking an already very crowded year for Marvel properties at the movies. The most logical play for Marvel is to use Captain America The Winter Soldier, Guardians of the Galaxy, and likely Ant-Man in 2014 to help set up The Avengers 2 in 2015.