Comic book fans and movie-goers, mark down your calendars.  Iron Man 3 will hit theatres May 3, 2013.  Let the countdown begin, right?

In related news, Disney, Paramount Pictures, and Marvel Studios announced in a joint press release that Disney will handle the worldwide marketing and distribution rights for The Avengers and Iron Man 3.  Under the new deal, Disney will pay Paramount $115 million for the transfer of the distribution rights to the two upcoming Marvel movies.  Paramount will remain the worldwide distributor of Thor and Captain America, and the first two Iron Man films.

Brad Grey, Chairman & CEO of Paramount Pictures: “Five years ago, when Paramount and Marvel made our initial deal, both our businesses were in very different places,” said Brad Grey, Chairman & CEO of Paramount Pictures. “We are grateful for the partnership we have had with the terrific Marvel team over these years and proud of the work we have done together. Today, this new agreement is the right deal for Paramount, for Marvel and for Disney. We look forward to working together on Thor and Captain America, and we wish Disney and Marvel the utmost success, in what we know will be a very productive and wide-ranging partnership.”

Reminder: Thor releases May 6, 2011, followed by a July 22, 2011 Captain America theatrical release.  The Avengers is due out in 2012.

[Via Deadline]