Tony Stark has so many wonderful suits, in this first official photo from Iron Man 3

Iron Man 3 has been sealed up tighter than Tony Stark’s emergency drinks cabinet, as it has been shooting for a while now. There’s been no actual official photos yet, aside from some Internet surveillance that has made the rounds.

Until now that is, as Marvel has released a still of Stark in a pondering mood, surrounded by all his lovely toys.

That’s a magnificent set of armours so far. All the way from the Afghan escape suit, through to the Briefcase Centurion and the party-bringer from The Avengers.

And to go along with the first set photo from the Shane Black directed flick, here’s the official press synopsis;

MARVEL STUDIOS BEGINS PRODUCTION ON THIRD INSTALLMENT OF THE BLOCKBUSTER FRANCHISE “IRON MAN”

Marvel’s “Iron Man 3” Commences Principal Photography In Preparation for May 3, 2013 Film Release

BURBANK, Calif. (June 4, 2012) – Following in the footsteps of the record-breaking Marvel Studios’ release “Marvel’s The Avengers,” production on the highly anticipated film “Iron Man 3,” directed by Shane Black, has commenced production in Wilmington, North Carolina. The production schedule will also include locations in Raleigh/Durham, North Carolina, Miami, Florida and China.

Based on the ever-popular Marvel comic book series, first published in 1963, “Iron Man 3” returns Robert Downey Jr. (“Iron Man,” “Marvel’s The Avengers”) as the iconic Super Hero character Tony Stark/Iron Man along with Gwyneth Paltrow (“Iron Man,” “Iron Man 2,”) as Pepper Potts, Don Cheadle (“Iron Man 2”) as James “Rhodey” Rhodes and Jon Favreau (“Iron Man,” “Iron Man 2”) as Happy Hogan. Set for release in the U.S. on May 3, 2013, Marvel’s “Iron Man 3” marks the second feature to be fully owned, marketed and distributed by Disney, which acquired Marvel in 2009.

“Iron Man 3” continues the epic, big-screen adventures of the world’s favorite billionaire inventor/Super Hero, Tony Stark aka “Iron Man.” Marvel Studios’ President Kevin Feige is producing the film. Executive producers on the project include Jon Favreau, Louis D’Esposito, Alan Fine, Stan Lee, Charles Newirth, Victoria Alonso, Stephen Broussard and Dan Mintz.

The creative production team on the film includes two-time Oscar®-winning director of photography John Toll, ASC (“Braveheart,” “Legends of the Fall”), production designer Bill Brzeski (“The Hangover,” “Due Date”), editors Jeffrey Ford, A.C.E. (“Marvel’s The Avengers,” “Captain America: The First Avenger”) and Peter S. Elliot (“Fantastic 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer”), and costume designer Louise Frogley (“Quantum of Solace,” “Contagion”).

Last Updated: June 5, 2012