SuperHeroHype has confirmed that Shane Black’s Iron Man 3 will feature the red, white and blue Iron Patriot armor. What is uncertain, however, is exactly who will be wearing it.

The armor made its first appearance in 2009’s “Dark Avengers” #1. Following the events of the “Secret Invasion” crossover, Norman Osborn was mistakenly heralded as an American hero and tasked with leading a group of government-sanctioned Avengers. Taking the technology from Stark Industries, Osborn designed his suit to represent the then-recently-deceased Captain America.

Because the character of Osborn is a Spider-Man villain and the rights rest at Sony Pictures, it’s pretty much a certainty that a different character will be donning the suit in the upcoming film.

Now in production in North Carolina, Iron Man 3 stars Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, Ben Kingsley, Guy Pearce, James Badge Dale, Ashley Hamilton and Jon Favreau. The film is scheduled to hit theaters on May 3, 2013.

UPDATE: We have now received the first photos of the costume on set! We can also reveal which actor may be underneath the suit which, due to the potential spoiler nature of the information, is discussed at the bottom of this page.

The armor looks to be donned by James Badge Dale, who plays Eric Savin in the feature film. First announced earlier this month, Savin becomes, in the comic books, the cyborg villain Coldbood. At this point it is unknown whether or not we’ll see the actor in multiple costumes or if Coldblood and Iron Patriot are being merged into one character.

(Photo Credit: SBMF/FameFlynet Pictures)