Chris Hemsworth as Thor and Chris Evans as Captain America (l-r) in scene from movie "Marvel's The Avengers." (Marvel Studios/Paramount)
LOS ANGELES (AP) - "The Avengers" are returning for a superhero sequel three years from now.
Disney and its Marvel Studios unit announced Thursday that the follow-up to this year's biggest hit will arrive in theaters on May 1, 2015.
The studio announced last week that Joss Whedon will be back to write and direct the as-yet-untitled sequel.
Released in May, "The Avengers" gathered such Marvel comic-book heroes as Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), Captain America (Chris Evans), the Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) and Thor (Chris Hemsworth). The film has taken in nearly $1.5 billion worldwide.