Iron Man was Marvel’s first big box office success as an independent production studio, and the series has since become the jewel in the crown of its cinematic empire. The film is Marvel's first since The Avengers broke box office records around the world, earning $1,359,450,398 and counting. Concurrent with the announcement, Iron Man 3 distributor Walt Disney Pictures released the first image from the production, which features Downey’s character Tony Stark surveying the various iterations of the armor he has worn in battle.

Iron Man 3 is scheduled for release on May 3, 2013. Behind the cameras, Shane commands a crew that includes cinematographer John Toll (The Thin Red Line), production designer Bill Brzeski (The Hangover and The Hangover Part II), editors Jeffrey Ford, A.C.E (The Avengers, Captain America: First Avenger) and Peter S. Elliot (Fantastic 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer), and costume designer Louise Frogley (Quantum of Solace).