Superhero Sequel Bits: ‘Kick-Ass 2’ To Hit Next Spring? Plus: ‘Avengers 2’, ‘Iron Man 3’, ‘Captain America 2’, ‘Black Widow’

Thanks in a large part to this past weekend’sThe Avengers, we’ve got a ton of superhero-related odds and ends for you today. After the jump:

In a World Record signing session that was broadcast via UStream, Millar revealed that the deals forKick-Ass 2have just been done, and that the production is gearing up for a summer start with a targetedMay 2013release. This comes as a bit of a surprise, in part because since starChloe Grace Moretzwill be tied up withCarriethis summer, but perhaps the production will work around her schedule. Or perhaps she won’t be involved at all.

Romita also added that he hoped to “take charge” on an animated sequence within the film, but revealed few other details. In any case, ifKick-Ass 2really is shooting this summer, expect lots more updates soon. [Bleeding Cool]

Now thatThe Avengersis a confirmed smash hit, one big question is whether writer/directorJoss Whedonwill be back to work his magic on the inevitable sequel. But Whedon himself claims he has no idea at this point. “You know what, I haven’t really thought about it,” a tired but happy-looking Whedon toldColliderin an interview. “It’s time for me to rest, and then see if that’s even feasible.” Fair enough, Mr. Whedon — you’ve certainly earned that break.

Besides,The Avengers 2seems a ways off yet. Marvel Studios headKevin FeigetoldC.H.U.D.that the film would have to come afterIron Man 3,Thor 2, andCaptain America 2:

They have to grow, they have to change. What they’ve gone through in this movie will impact their state of mind and where they stand in their next movies. Then whatever they go through in those movies is going to affect where we meet them in the next Avengers film. But I think people will be surprised to see, as we go forward – particularly in Iron Man 3 – the notion of how singular the stories can become. Iron Man 3 is a very singular Tony Stark story. As is Thor 2.

Captain America 2, however, may not be quite as standalone as the other films:

Meanwhile, there’s also the possibility thatThe Avengerscould serve as a jumping-off point for films based on other members of the superpowered team, such as Hawkeye or Black Widow. Or at least, soScarlett Johanssonhopes. The star’s been floating the idea of a Black Widow movie while doing press forThe Avengers, and she has some ideas about what that could entail:

I love her origin story. I think it’s just such a riveting one… It’s just steeped in history and the richness to shoot in Russia, perhaps. … I hope that the fans' voice is loud enough and they want to see a Widow origin story, I know Marvel would be happy to entertain that. We’ve spoken a lot about it.

Johansson also spoke about how the character has been fleshed out since her first appearance inIron Man 2:

[In Avengers] you see a little bit about how Natasha joined and it’s not that she’s fighting for the greater good of humanity. She was almost salvaged by S.H.I.E.L.D. and so she’s loyal to that group, to that agency, but only as sort of paid debt.

AlthoughIron Man 3is due to start shooting in North Carolina soon, but recently cast villainBen Kingsleysays he won’t be on set for a little while yet. “I’m filmingEnder’s Gamein New Orleans right now and then I go onto a film calledThe Physician, which is a beautiful film about a physician and then I go intoIron Man.”

And then he still has some character work left to do for the film: “Quite soon I’ll be with everybody and we’ll be discussing the look and the feel and the direction of the character. It’s very early days yet, but I’m so thrilled to be on board.” [viaSHH]