Iron Man 3 always seemed like a given, following the success of the previous instalments, but the astonishing box-office success of The Avengers has made anticipation for Tony Stark’s next solo outing all the more intense.

So what do we know about the Marvel threequel? Well, Robert Downey Jr is returning as ol’ shellhead, of course. But Jon Favreau, director of Iron Man and Iron Man 2, won’t be wielding the megaphone this time around. Although he will return to cameo as Stark’s trusty chauffeur, Happy Hogan.

Shane Black (Kiss Kiss Bang Bang) is calling the shots on Iron Man 3, and will no doubt bring some of his Lethal Weapon attitude to Stark’s impressive arsenal.

And he’s rounding up one hell of a cast. On board so far? Ben Kingsley, Guy Pearce, Rebecca Hall (who replaced Jessica Chastain), and James Badge Dale.

Don Cheadle’s returning as War Machine, although Scarlett Johansson’s Black Widow is sitting this one out.

Significantly, a large portion of IM3 will film on location in China, as Hollywood cottons on to the lucrative audiences available there. Needless to say, this has the rumour mill speculating that The Mandarin will be the villain.

Despite having released little more than an official image, the film will appear at Comic-Con 2012.

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