It broke the record for highest box office opening in cinematic history and its worldwide box office gross just passed $700 million. It has already managed to surpass the total box office earnings of IRON MAN ($585 mil), IRON MAN 2 ($624 mil), CAPTAIN AMERICA ($364 mil) and THOR ($449 mil) after only two weeks of release. Plus, the cast is so attractive that cinema-goes had to physically restrain themselves from going all Pee-wee Herman in the cinema (or was that just me?). So yes, there is going to be a sequel to THE AVENGERS.
‘It’s a great illustration of why we like Marvel so much — great characters, great storytelling and a wonderful ability for them to bring their characters and stories to the big screen so effectively,’ said Walt Disney Co. Chairman and Chief Executive Robert Iger.
Disney has yet to state when THE AVENGERS 2 will happen. There’s an untitled Marvel movie slated for release in 2014 — following the releases of IRON MAN 3, CAPTAIN AMERICA 2 and THOR 2 — which could see The Avengers assemble one more time. It could also be ANT-MAN though, you never know… Expect an announcement at this year’s Comic-Con.
Unsurprisingly, AVENGERS merchandise is selling well, even previously misunderstood Hulk! Iger comments a majority of stock is selling out:
‘We expect, given the interest in this film, that demand for its product is going continue to be strong pretty much throughout the year.’
Disney have also been looking at ways to bring The Avengers to their many theme parks:
‘We have a number of other opportunities at our other parks, notably California and Europe and in Asia — I guess that pretty much covers the rest of the world. And our Imagineering group has been working over the last year to create more opportunities for Marvel in the parks.’
A sequel, theme park rides, rumoured video games, toys, and all other merchandise you can imagine. Here’s hoping you love THE AVENGERS as much as we do at THN because you’re going to be seeing a lot more of it.
Source: LA Times
