'The Avengers 2' looks set to be released on May 1, 2015.

The follow up to this year's 'Avengers Assemble' superhero movie is expected to hit the big screen in less than three years and director Joss Whedon - who will write and helm the sequel - is thought to have already developed a template for the storyline.

A source told MTV News: ''Marvel has a very set agenda of what they want to do, they are already kind of ahead of The Game [on the sequel] because they've got the guy that did it before doing it again and something tells me Joss already has the template [for the film].''

A number of cast members will be unavailable to shoot the movie ready for an earlier release date as they will be filming their own standalone motion pictures.

Robert Downey Jr. is to reprise his titular role in 'Iron Man 3' in 2013, Chris Evans will return as the lead character in 'Captain America: The Winter Soldier' in 2014 and Chris Hemsworth is to star in 'Thor: The Dark World' next year.

The insider added: ''In terms of the time frame, I think that it is well in the works. It looks like the release date might be May 1, 2015, but that can change depending on people's schedules.

''The beauty of 'The Avengers' is that you've got so many people in this that even during the shoot if someone has to do another film they can just focus on [other characters].''

Joss impressed Disney so much with 'Avengers Assemble' that they have signed him up to write and direct the sequel and develop a live action Marvel-themed TV show for ABC, it was confirmed last week.

Disney said in a statement: ''Joss Whedon has signed an exclusive deal with Marvel Studios for film and television through the end of June 2015. As part of that deal, Whedon will write and direct Marvel's 'The Avengers 2' as well as help develop a new live action series for Marvel Television at ABC. He will also contribute creatively to the next phase of Marvel's cinematic universe.''