As the dust finally settles on the recent success of Marvel’s comic-book blockbuster hit The Avengers, the studio has already begun following up the film with upcoming sequels for the main superheroes.

The one who began the trend was Iron Man when his film was first unleashed on audiences in 2008 before following it up with a sequel in 2010. The robotic machine is now going for the hat-trick, as today’s impressive teaser trailer shows him back in action for a third time in Iron Man 3.

The film’s synopsis was released earlier this week (along with a poster and stills) revealing Tony Stark/Iron Man’s latest struggle, which takes a darker turn.

“When Stark finds his personal world destroyed at his enemy’s hands, he embarks on a harrowing quest to find those responsible. This journey, at every turn, will test his mettle. With his back against the wall, Stark is left to survive by his own devices, relying on his ingenuity and instincts to protect those closest to him. As he fights his way back, Stark discovers the answer to the question that has secretly haunted him – does the man make the suit or does the suit make the man?”

The preview shows Stark (Robert Downey Jr) being confronted by a new evil as he faces the biggest test of his humanity, with the stand-out moment of the trailer being the attack on his home, which looks visually stunning.

As well as Downey Jr returning as Stark, Oscar-winner Gwyneth Paltrow reprises her role as Pepper Potts, with Don Cheadle also back as James Rhodes.

The strong additions to the cast see Oscar-winner Ben Kingsley (Gandhi, Schindler’s List) play Stark’s big nemesis Mandarin, while Guy Pearce (The King’s Speech, Lawless) is also cast as a villain in the shape of businessman Aldrich Killian. British actress Rebecca Hall (Frost/Nixon, The Awakening) is the new female member of the franchise starring as female scientist Maya Hansen, a role which was originally given to Jessica Chastain.

Shane Black (Kiss Kiss Bang Bang) directs the sequel, replacing the original director of the first two films, Jon Favreau.

It will be released in cinemas on May 3rd 2013.