'Avengers 3' movie rumors: Joss Whedon may not direct 'Infinity War' Parts 1 and 2

[Photo credit: Marvel]

Earth's mightiest superheroes will be back to handle more hostilities even after dealing with the enemy at hand in "Avengers: Age of Ultron." However, one person might not return after the evil mechanoid's schemes. Director Joss Whedon, the guy who helmed the first "Avengers" movie and the next, which will premiere in May, "couldn't imagine" doing another film as massive as the "Avengers: Infinity War Part 1." 

"It's enormously hard, and it [will] be, by [the time I would make 'Avengers 3 & 4'], a good five years since I created anything that was completely my own. So it's very doubtful that I would take on the two-part Infinity War movie that would eat up the next four years of my life," Whedon explained to Empire as quoted by Slash Film. 

"I obviously still want to be a part of the Marvel Universe – I love these guys – but it ain't easy. This year has been more like running three shows than any year of my life. It is bonkers," he continued. 

His statements become in tune with previous speculations that brothers Joe and Anthony Russo, who shared the director's set on "Captain America: Civil War," will take over the third and fourth installment of the biggest superhero franchise. While this is yet to be set in stone, one thing to figure out as well is whether or not Whedon, who is busy with "Avengers: Age of Ultron" at the moment, may come back as either a producer or a writer of the future flicks, the first one scheduled on May 4, 2018. 

Meanwhile, the premiere of "Avengers: Age of Ultron" draws nearer. By May 1, fans will see Robert Downey Jr. suit up once more as Iron Man while Chris Evans and Chris Hemsworth prepare their shield and hammer for Captain America and Thor. Mark Ruffalo beefs up to become The Hulk along with Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow and Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye. Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury and Cobie Smulders as Agent Maria Hill will also join the pack to stop the evil plans of Ultron, which will be played by James Spader.