While everyone is awaiting the second Avengers film, "Avengers: Age of Ultron," due for release next year, rumors for "Avengers 3" have already started surfacing. And these rumors are not only talking about the third installment being split into two films, they are also saying that there will be superheroes who will no longer be included in the third part of the series.

A rumor popped up out of nowhere saying that "Avengers 3" might be split into two movies -- think "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" or "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay." However, Badass Digest addresses this rumor and says that it is unlikely to happen for one main reason -- the contracts of the actors are tight.

On the other hand, Badass Digest gives its own theory about "Avengers 3," saying that it will be used as a springboard for something bigger. As a result, not all key Avengers will be seen in the third movie.

If there's one Avenger who's sure to star in all three films of the movie franchise, it's Robert Downey Jr. His contract with Marvel did state that he will appear in "Age of Ultron" and "Avengers 3." However, the other Avengers like Thor, The Hulk, Captain America, and Black Widow may sit out on this one.

Knowing this, it may mean that "Avengers 3" could be focused on Iron-Man and other characters that will be introduced as a transition to a new plotline for the movie. Comingsoon.net said that it could be a springboard for an "all-franchise crossover," with all the Marvel characters together in the next film after "Avengers 3."

If this is true, how appealing can "Avengers 3" be with the absence of the key Avengers that propelled the movie franchise to epic stardom in the first place? Then again, everything is just a rumor at this point so fans shouldn't get carried away. There's still three years from the release of "Avengers 3" to sort out what's going to happen.

Meanwhile, "Avengers: Age of Ultron" will hit theaters on May 1, 2015.