Marvel Studios has officially confirmed a few pieces of news about their next two films - Iron Man 2 and Thor.

It is now official that Kenneth Branagh is set to direct Thor. Paramount Pictures will distribute the film for Marvel, and the US release date has been confirmed to be July 16, 2010. No casting for Thor has been announced at this time.

Marvel also confirmed that Jon Favreau will direct Iron Man 2, and that Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow and Don Cheadle will all star. They did not confirm any of the rumors regarding which villains will appear, or who they will be played by. IM2 will begin principal photography in April of 2009.