I guess Robert Downey Jr has resigned himself to being a franchise actor from here on in. The A-lister, currently shooting 'Sherlock Holmes 2', will return for 'Iron Man 3', which now has a May 3rd 2013 release date set - just one year after Downey Jr stars in 'The Avengers'. That's probably a full year before we actually expected to see Tony Stark back on the big screen post Marvel's ambitious ensemble. Obviously, it means shooting will begin on 'Iron Man 3' before 'The Avengers' is even released in cinema's. Presumably, there will be a 'Sherlock Holmes 3' in there somewhere too and then an 'Avengers 2', so essentially, the majority of Downey Jr's next five years will be playing just two characters. Shame. Given the choice I would rather see a longer gap in between these movies. I didn't enjoy that much of 'Iron Man 2' this year and with the chances of Jon Favreau returning to direct being very slim indeed, I'm worried how low the quality control on this franchise will fall. Also announced today by Deadline - Disney have bought the distribution rights to both 'The Avengers' and 'Iron Man 3' from Paramount Pictures for $115 million, ending the relationship between them and Marvel once 'Thor' and 'Captain America: The First Avenger' hit next year. Fleming has all the number details.