Like the headline says: Marvel Vs. Capcom 3 is real and is scheduled for release on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 in Spring 2011.

We know almost nothing about this sequel — see the full if uninformative press release past the jump — aside from its suitably Stan Lee-styled title (Marvel Vs Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds), but if the previous series entries were any indication MvC3 should include a ridiculous number of Marvel and Capcom characters (MvC2 had more than 50) and hyper-kinetic fighting that borders on an incomprehensible, seizure inducing lightshow at higher levels of play.

I can't say this news is totally unexpected — the game is guaranteed to make huge wad of cash regardless of quality — but it still comes out of a nowhere. A glorious nowhere where dreams come true and all the good little boys and girls are rewarded for years of patient whining.

My only question is how did Capcom manage to get access to the Marvel characters again? Doesn't Activision have those rights locked down? Or did Capcom's long standing relationship with Marvel's mouse-shaped parent company come into play?

As promised, the press release:

CAPCOM®, MARVEL® LIFT VEIL ON LONG-AWAITED FIGHTING GAME MARVEL® VS. CAPCOM®3: FATE OF TWO WORLDS
After a Decade, the Most Iconic Characters in Entertainment Return To Face Off In One of the Most Popular Game Franchises of All Time
SAN MATEO, CA — April 20, 2010 — Capcom®, a leading worldwide developer and publisher of video games, and the legendary Marvel Entertainment, LLC today announced the latest installment in their epic fighting game series with Marvel® vs. Capcom ®3: Fate of Two Worlds.

It’s been a decade since MarvelTM vs. Capcom® 2: New Age of Heroes was first released and now the most popular Marvel and Capcom characters join forces again in a re-envisioned team fighting game for a new generation. Fill the shoes of legendary characters from the most beloved franchises in entertainment as you battle in the first VS. Fighting game powered by Capcom’s MT Framework.

“We are so pleased to be working with Marvel again. Marvel vs. Capcom 3 has been one of the most requested titles for us to produce by our fans,” said Christian Svensson, Corporate Officer and Vice President of Strategic Planning and Business Development at Capcom. “Our Capcom development studio is creating the most epic fighting game ever developed and Marvel’s input into that process has been invaluable.”

Get set for the ultimate faceoff when Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds hits PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and Xbox 360®video game and entertainment system from Microsoft in Spring 2011.