Though Jon Favreau brought us two installments of the Iron Man franchise, he’s stepped away for the greener pastures of films like Cowboys and Aliens and Disney’s Magic Kingdom, Marvel is still planning on bringing us more movies.

The hunt has been on for a director to fill in for Favreau and with the May 3, 2013 release date for Iron Man 3 not getting any closer, they need to find someone fast.

The Hollywood Reporter is claiming that Shane Black is being circled to fill in the post.

From their report:

Shane Black is in contention to direct Iron Man 3 for Marvel Studios.

The writer/director has powwowed with Marvel execs about his take on the third installment in the blockbuster franchise. As of now he is being considered for the directing job, but the assumption is that if he gets the gig, he would also write a draft.

Insiders said that Black’s involvement is far from a sure thing, and that other filmmakers were being looked at.

You’ll remember Shane Black for writing the still dynamite script for the first Lethal Weapon movie and writing and directing the incredible Robert Downey, Jr. film Kiss, Kiss, Bang, Bang. He has a rapport with the actor who is Iron Man and he is a great screenwriter and has already proven himself capable of handling the tone that Jon Favreau set in the first two films and, I think, he’s able to even amp it up exponentially.

He’s a fantastic writer, his directing work has been fun to watch, and as long as Marvel didn’t get too far in the way, this could be just the jolt in the arm that Iron Man 3 needs to remind people that there is life after an Avengers movie.

Other filmmakers are up for the part, though. Who do you guys think would be the perfect director for the Iron Man gig? Or is Shane Black a great choice?