AMC Theaters announced Monday that the theater chain would be hosting a Marvel movie marathon at 10 different locations across the United States on May 3 in anticipation for The Avengers on May 4.

AMC is doing something really cool with this. Leading up until the midnight showing of The Avengers, AMC is showing Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man 2, Thor, Captain America: The First Avenger, AND The Avengers in that order, so that fans of the Marvel movies can witness all of the pre-Avengers saga. The price of admission is $40, which isn’t too bad considering the fact that each money averages to about seven dollars a ticket. That’s a pretty good deal, especially considering you get free 3D shades for 3D presentations of some of the movies. Now you just have to have that day open, and you’re good!

It’s been a while since Iron Man and Iron Man 2 director Jon Favreau announced that he would not be returning to direct Iron Man 3, leaving fans to wonder who would be chosen to try and continue the massive success of the franchise.

Recently there had been some rumblings that Marvel Studios was meeting with Kiss Kiss Bang Bang director Shane Black to replace Favreau — a name almost everyone seemed to approve of. According to Deadline, all who approve can now celebrate, as it’s being reported that Black is in final negotiations for the job, which would be his first leap into the world of comic book movies.

While many comic book movie fans have been excited to see where things might go in Iron Man 3, some potentially devastating news has now entered into the equation.

Director Jon Favreau has informed Marvel Studios that, sadly, he will not be returning to helm the next installment. Favreau showed his skills with movies like Elf and Zathura, but really became a top-tier directing talent with Iron Man in 2008, and expanded upon that success with Iron Man 2 in 2010. The movies thrived at the box office, bringing in well over a billion dollars worldwide, making a third film all-but-guaranteed.

The mystery to this news remains to be why exactly Favreau has chosen to walk away from the franchise. It’s said that there have been many disputes between the director and Marvel as to both financial compensation and creative choices, and that one or both of these reasons could be primary factors in the shocking decision.

Jen scoffs at The Hurt Locker‘s Academy Award, while The Kids Are All Right with Vactor. All the while queen of the podcast, Eve Of Doom, talks about staying awake during a red-eye flight to watch Iron Man 2.

Check out Episode 5 of the Flix of Doom podcast, the official movie podcast of Geeks of Doom, for this week’s box office and movie news, as well as a review of the new Steve Carell comedy Dinner With Schmucks. The hosts also debate what constitutes a Prequel movie, and reveal some of their “shame” picks of classic movies they’ve finally got around to seeing for the first time.

Full Episode Guide is here below, along with player.

Listen now!

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Back in February of 2009, it was announced that Samuel L. Jackson had signed a gigantic 9-picture deal with Marvel Studios, which would see his Nick Fury character showing up in the various upcoming blockbusters that would lead to The Avengers in 2012, and possibly even a S.H.I.E.L.D. movie.

In a recent interview with Radio Big Boy, Jackson was asked about the different movies he would be appearing in for Marvel. The actor first confirmed that though Fury was in Iron Man 2 and would be in Captain America: The First Avenger and Avengers, he would not be appearing in Kenneth Branagh’s Thor. After that, Jackson went on to make quite the unexpected statement that might just get fans excited.