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Iron Man made a butt load of money this past summer. Everybody knows that. Paramount Pictures knows that. Marvel Studios knows that. That's why Iron Man, the first film produced by Marvel Studios, was instrumental in a renegotiation of Marvel's distribution deal with Paramount. For the next five films Marvel intends to produce, they will now only have to pay out 8% of its film grosses instead of the previous 10% required for Iron Man.

Variety says the 8% is also what DreamWorks Animation pays Paramount to distribute its beloved animated titles and what Lucasfilm pays for the "Indiana Jones" franchise. The deal comes on the heels of DreamWorks' departure from Paramount, which leaves a six-picture hole in the distribution schedule. Marvel Studios certainly has the slate of films to fill those holes and, judging by Iron Man, they have the chops to bring in the cash.

Included within Marvel's five film plan is Thor, scheduled for a July 16, 2010 release with Kenneth Branagh confirmed as director, and Iron Man 2, which will be penned by Justin Theroux and once again directed by Jon Favreau. A third Iron Man is also being planned. Rounding out the slate will be The First Avenger: Captain America (May 6, 2011) and The Avengers (July 15, 2011). Marvel is expected to earn up to $140 million from its films this year.

"Marvel set up 'Iron Man' at Par in 2005 after raising a $525 million credit facility from Merrill Lynch. Under the agreement at the time, Marvel could deliver up to 10 movies to Par over the next eight years. Terms, however, wound up changing. Outside the 'Iron Man' franchise, Marvel did have the 'flexibility' to set up its future films at other studios, said David Maisel, chairman of Marvel Studios."