The rumors, it seems, are true.  At this point, Marvel Studios plans to include Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver – mutants both – in The Avengers 2.

Says who?  No less a source than writer-director Joss Whedon, who offered up a bit of insight on the pair of characters and their role in the sequel's story.  Oh, and Whedon, for one, is a whole lot less concerned about the cinematic future of Tony Stark than many, many fans.

Welcome to Level 7.

In early November, there will be a week where you can see Thor: The Dark World in theaters on Friday, then catch the first Marvel Studios first live-action television series, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., the following Tuesday night on ABC.  Now, thanks to an extended trailer for the series clocking in at just under three minutes, you can get a much better idea of just what you'll be watching on Tuesdays starting this fall.

Pop quiz, hotshot.  What's better than seven seconds of first look footage from Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., the upcoming ABC series that will take the phenomenally successful Marvel Studios universe to network televsion?

The answer is, of course, thirty-seconds of footage from Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

And that's exactly what we have for you today, by way of a TV spot.

Let's get this out of the way:  This constitutes SPOILERS for anyone who has yet to see Iron Man 3.  So if you're still holding off on seeing the latest Marvel Studios release – all of the latest Marvel Studios release – then bookmark this and return once you've thrilled to the third Iron Man solo adventure.

Of all the headlining superheroes in last summer's The Avengers, the one who made the biggest impression was smashing, brawling Hulk and his human alter ego, the always-angry Dr. Bruce Banner, played by Oscar-nominated actor Mark Ruffalo.  While Phase Two in the Marvel Studios master plan includes sequels for Iron Man, Thor, and Captain America, everyone's favorite green rage monster has a less obvious onscreen future.

In an exclusive discussion with IAR, Mark Ruffalo himself has offered some insight on what's in store for Bruce Banner and his other, more destructive half.

There was never any real doubt that ABC wouldn't take Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. from pilot to series.  It is, after all, directly related to the third-biggest movie of all time and a series of cross-pollinating franchises that have become a legitimate pop culture phenomenon the world over.

So though it was never in doubt, it's still nice to hear that ABC is indeed planning to have Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. as a part of its schedule this Fall.  Not only that, but the network is airing a sneak peak of material from the pilot this Sunday during the season finale of Once Upon a Time.

Not only that, but right now we have the first official look at the series' slick logo, as well as a shiny lineup of the principal cast in character.

It's been four years since Disney bought Marvel Comics outright, and plenty of fans have given up on seeing a Marvel property get the big screen animated treatment.

These folks gave up too soon, as Disney Animation has announced its first Marvel animated project, scheduled to hit theaters in 2D and 3D on November 7, 2014. Not only that, but thanks to Walt Disney Animation Studios, we also get our first look at images and footage from this Marvel movie.

What 11-year old kid wouldn’t want to be Iron Man’s best friend? For actor Ty Simpkins, that dream has come true.

Simpkins (Insidious) is currently starring opposite Robert Downey Jr. in Iron Man 3, which is the third installment of the popular Marvel Studios franchise. In its opening weekend the film earned over $175 million in the US alone, and has grossed $700 million worldwide so far! In the movie, Simpkins plays Harley Keener, a troubled young boy living with his mother, who must work all hours since his father left them. After a beaten Tony Stark (Downey) crash lands in his town, Harley becomes his sidekick and helps him repair the Iron Man suit and track down the Mandarin (Ben Kingsley). 

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of speaking with 11-year old actor Ty Simpkins about his role in Iron Man 3 on the Disney lot in Burbank, California. The young actor discussed appearing in the movie, how he got the role, his character, working with Robert Downey Jr., director Shane Black, being an Iron Man fan, if Harley could become the new Iron Man in The Avengers 2 or Iron Man 4, and if there are any Harley toys or merchandise available. 

Short version:  Iron Man 3 made a lot of money this weekend.  A lot.  In fact, the only movie that's ever made more in its domestic opening was The Avengers.

A year after The Avengers triumphantly capped off the first Phase in Marvel Studios' master plan, and the inaugural movie of Phase Two, Iron Man 3, has already collected $307.7 million in international markets.

So, as that sequels rolls out Stateside in mere hours, Marvel is barbecuing up a hype-steak for its Phase Two movies, and even teasing a bit of Phase Three.  That means new pieces of concept art from Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Guardians of the Galaxy, as well as info-nuggets regarding The Avengers 2 and Edgar Wright's Ant-Man.

Phase 2 properly kicks off Stateside tomorrow with the release of Iron Man 3, so that means it's time to start getting all lathered up about Thor: The Dark World, this year's other Marvel Studios sequel following an Avenger on his next solo adventure.

In order to ensure we remember what Chris Hemsworth looks like as Thor, Marvel has released a new image of the star in his redesigned Asgardian costume.