Shane Black, the celebrated action movie screenwriter and director of Iron Man 3, has signed on to helm Doc Savage — a film adaptation of the pulp comic series from the 1930s and 1940s. Sony Pictures announced the deal Tuesday, confirming that Black will direct and co-write the film, with Neal H. Moritz, Ori Marmur, and Michael Uslan serving as producers.

Doc Savage, first published in 1933, is a comic series that revolves around Clark Savage, Jr. — a scientist, physician, and inventor. At his father's request, a team of scientists trained him from birth, endowing him with superhuman strength, intelligence, and a photographic memory. Savage was among the most popular pulp comic characters through the 1940s, and has been the subject of several adaptations, including a 1975 movie called Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze, starring Ron Ely.

Sony has yet to announce a release date for the film, though it certainly seems to be within Black's creative wheelhouse. Before directing the latest Iron Man, he wrote the first three Lethal Weapon films, and directed Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, a 2005 neo-noir murder mystery. Iron Man 3, however, has been by far his biggest commercial success, posting the second most lucrative opening weekend of all time.