Iron Man 3 director Shane Black will bring comic book hero Doc Savage to theaters, after the success of his third installment of Tony Stark's adventures. The Hollywood Reporter broke the news that Black was confirmed to bring Doc Savage to the big screen, citing Black's huge success with Iron Man as the reason he is now a highly sought after director.

Shane Black worked as a screenwriter on the first two Lethal Weapon films and directed Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. Black's Iron Man looks to earn $1 billion in the box office after only two weeks of its release. 

Doc Savage is only Black's third directorial endeavor, but Sony has confirmed that it would fund the big (and expensive) project, which has been under consideration since 2009, according to the Guardian UK.

The Hollywood Reporter wrote that Black is a huge fan of the hero, to the extent that his bookshelves are lined with Savage stories.

Black began writing the Doc Savage screenplay in 2009, but put it on hold after the chance to direct Iron Man 3 came up. He co-wrote the screenplay with Anthony Bagarozzi and Charles Mondry. The flick will be produced by Neal H. Moritz (Fast and Furious), Ori Marmur, and Michael Usland.

Doc Savage was 'born' in 1930's pulp magazines. The character was trained by a team of scientists to develop high levels of intellect, strength, and endurance. Savage has a photographic memory, mastery of martial arts, and near super-human knowledge of the sciences. He is a physician, surgeon, adventurer, explorer and researcher who can imitate almost any voice and completely disguise himself.

You may wonder who could play such a man in the film, but no word has been released in that regard.

More news should soon be revealed; Sony appears to be itching to launch this new superhero franchise.

Sony president of production Hanna Minghella said, "We couldn't be more excited to be building a franchise from the ground up with Shane and his team. Shane and Neal have a fantastic understanding of the character and a great take on the material and we can't wait to get this production up and running."

Doc Savage has appeared in a film before; the character was featured in a 1975 film set in the 1930's. Unfortunately, the film was poorly received and not again attempted until now.

It should be interesting to see how Sony will cast the scientist/researcher/master of disguise Doc Savage.