The director of global hit, 'Iron Man' and its sequel, has announced that there will be no more movies about ingenious industrialist Tony Stark, or his alter-ego Iron Man, until superhero team 'The Avengers' makes their movie debut in 2012.

For non-comic book fans, the armoured hero, played by Academy Award-nominee Robert Downey Jr., is part of a team of Marvel superheroes that also consists of Thor, Captain America, and The Hulk.

Jon Favreau, the director of the 'Iron Man' films, told California radio station KROQ's The Kevin and Bean Show', that Tony Stark will not appear in the upcoming fellow Avengers' movies, such as 'Thor' or 'Captain America: The First Avenger' which are scheduled for a 2011 release.

Downey's character Stark has previously made a cameo appearance in 2008's adaptation of 'The Incredible Hulk' that starred Edward Norton as the angry green giant.

Favreau said that it will be "very interesting" to see 'The Avengers' production team tie together the expanding silver screen world of Marvel superhero mythology, which also includes the likes of Spiderman and the X-Men.

"I'm not sure where 'The Avengers' goes," said Favreau, who also plays Stark's bodyguard and chauffeur, Happy Hogan, in the films. "There is no shooting draft written yet. It's gonna be a big undertaking for Marvel... All that has to inform one unified vision in 'The Avengers.' It's a very exciting prospect."

'The Avengers' is planned for a May 4, 2012 release. Favreau will be an executive producer while 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' creator, Joss Whedon, will direct the project. Downey, Don Cheadle, Samuel L. Jackson, and Scarlett Johansson of the 'Iron Man' films will reprise their roles as Iron Man, War Machine, Nick Fury, and Black Widow, respectively, for the film.

Hotties Chris Hemsworth, who plays Thor, and Chris Evans, who will play Captain America, will also appear in the film. Norton is also reported to reprise his role as The Hulk for the film.