Joss Whedon Confirmed to Write and Direct 'The Avengers 2'

After the massive success that was The Avengers -- which will no doubt end up this year's highest grossing film at over $616 million in North America and $1.46 billion worldwide -- the man at the center of it all, writer-director Joss Whedon, has been confirmed to helm the sequel. Marvel released the following statement today regarding the deal: “Joss Whedon has signed an exclusive deal with Marvel Studios for film and television through the end of June 2015. As part of that deal, Whedon will write and direct Marvel’s The Avengers 2 as well as help develop a new live action series for Marvel Television at ABC. He will also contribute creatively to the next phase of Marvel’s cinematic universe.” The Avengers 2 will build off of next year's Iron Man 3 and Thor: The Dark World, along with 2014's Captain America: The Winter Soldier.