"The Avengers 2" is set for high gears as it gets a director to put it in motion.

Reuters reported that Joss Whedon has signed to write and direct "The Avengers 2," Disney Chairman Bob Iger said Tuesday.

In addition, Whedon will create a "Marvel-based" series for ABC, Iger said during a conference call with analysts.

Whedon wrote and slid behind the camera on "The Avengers," which Iger called a "phenomenal success" during the call. The adaptation of the Marvel Comics series has grossed nearly $1.5 billion worldwide.

Whedon's script and direction were praised by critics and fans for their light and often humorous touch.

According to Reuters, thanks largely to "The Avengers," the income at Disney's studio unit jumped to $313 million from $49 million a year earlier, during its most recent fiscal quarter. Overall, net income across all of Disney's divisions jumped 24 percent to $1.8 billion for the period.

Since purchasing Marvel for $4 billion three years ago, Disney has leaned heavily on the comic book maker as one of the pillars of its business, believing that the films it makes with its library of heroes will drive not just box office, but also revenue from theme park rides and toys.

The upcoming film's release date falls around other films that are centered around the characters from "The Avengers."

In 2013, "Iron Man 3" and "Thor 2: The Dark World" will come out, and the following year, "Captain America 2: The Winter Soldier."  

A new super-group film, "Guardians of the Galazy," is also slated for a release in 2014, which features a futuristic team of superheroes that protect the galaxy from danger.

According to the Huffington Post, Whedon thanked his fans for their support in a letter to them on his website.

"I've had the smartest, most loyal, most passionate, most articulate group of -- I'm not even gonna say fans. I'm going with 'peeps' -- that any cult oddity such as my bad self could have dreamt of," he wrote. "When almost no one was watching, when people probably should have STOPPED watching, I've had three constants: my family and friends, my collaborators (often the same), and y'all."