Director Jon Favreau has been very clear that Iron Man is the start of his trilogy - “I’ve got another 2 movies in my head; I’m ready to go.” All the stars are signed for Iron Man 2. So what direction is the sequel going to go in?

Iron Man’s main nemesis in the comics is Manderin, a descendent of Genghis Khan who wears ten alien rings, each with their own special ability. As long time fans will have noticed, Manderin’s presence is foreshadowed in the first film - the terrorists who kidnap Stark are called the ‘Ten Rings’. Favreau wants to see Manderin emerge from the shadows, but whether that’s for the 2nd or 3rd movie is unknown.

A sequel, entitled Iron Man II, is scheduled for release on May 7, 2010. Justin Theroux is writing the script, which is based on a story written by Jon Favreau and Robert Downey Jr., and Genndy Tartakovsky is storyboarding. Filming will primarily take place at Raleigh Studios in Manhattan Beach, California. The story will deal with Stark's alcoholism, which was set aside from the first film for the sequel, but Favreau said it will not be "the Leaving Las Vegas version". Shane Black has given some advice on the script, and suggested they model Stark on J. Robert Oppenheimer, who became depressed with being "the destroyer of worlds" after working on the Manhattan Project. Downey said Stark would probably develop a drinking problem as he is unable to cope with his age and Pepper getting a boyfriend.