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There are still about 3 hours left before moviegoers on the east coast start filing into the first public screenings of Iron Man, but already the talk from producers and insiders has been diverted to what is next. In August of last year, when we spoke with director Jon Favreau and star Robert Downey Jr. at Comic Con, we were told that they were both on for three Iron Man films, assuming the first one did well. And now with industry projections ranging anywhere from $80 million to $120 million on opening weekend, those around the production are starting to feel a little more comfortable with looking toward the future.

Two very important figures in the Iron Man 2 mix are Viacom Executive Chairman Sumner Redstone and Paramount Pictures CEO Brad Grey, both of whom spoke with Entertainment Tonight on the red carpet of Wednesday night’s premiere. The two told ET that if the movie does as well as expected, the studio is eyeing 2010 for the follow-up.

Similar remarks were made to our friends at IESB by Robert Downey Jr.’s trainer Brad Bose. Bose told IESB that he starts training with Downey just after his final premiere in LA, which will be for Ben Stiller’s Tropic Thunder. From there, Bose will have about 5 months to get Downey in shape to wear the suit again. He also said that Downey is looking to add about 10 lbs. of bulk for the next film.

Based on our calculations, that puts Iron Man 2 on track for an early 2009 production and yes, a 2010 release. This is all assuming that director Jon Favreau and the writing team can get a script together by then — but personally, I don’t see that as being a problem. I have a feeling that the three films to which Favs is attached are already pretty much planned out.

All I can say after seeing Iron Man twice already this week is lets do it — bring on the sequel.