We're still more than two months away from the release of Captain America: The Winter Soldier, but it looks like Marvel's already confident in a third installment.

Sources tell Variety that, while the film hasn't been officially greenlit, Marvel Studios has already begun preparations for a third Captain America picture. The story arc is reportedly already being developed, and word is Winter Soldier directors Anthony and Joe Russo are already set to return for the next flick.

So, why's Marvel so enthusiastic? Well, if Variety's sources are right, the studio's been very impressed with both how production on the film went and how the flick has played in early test screenings. The trailer alone has us super-pumped for Cap's new adventure and the further expansion of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and it looks like the Marvel bigwigs were similarly excited. So here we are, talking about Cap 3 before Cap 2's even out.

As for what this flick could be about or when we could see it ... well, we have no clue at this point. It could be 2016, or 2017, or some later date that plays into Marvel's grander scheme. We also don't know how the Winter Soldier plot will work into it just yet, but whatever the future holds for Captain America, it seems that future is bright.

A word of caution, though: Variety's reporting that this all hinges on the box-office performance of Winter Soldier, which is certainly understandable. So, if you want more Cap, go see that movie. Not that you weren't going to already, but ... you know, tell your friends, just in case.

(Via Variety)