RUNAWAYS on hold because of THE AVENGERS says Drew Pearce

Earlier we reported that Drew Pearce had been tapped to write the feature adaptation of Marvel's Runaways. The project was to directed by Peter Sollet (Raising Victor Vargas, Nick and Nora’s Infinite Playlist) until it was pulled from the slate this fall. It looks as though Marvel wanted to focus all of their efforts on The Avengers. 

The Playlist attended a interview with Noel Clarke, Stuart Hazeldine, Jeremy Drysdale and Pearce. Here is what Pearce had to say about why the film was put on hold:

“Basically, The Avengers came along and everything else at Marvel got put on hold for a year. But the script is there, we’re good go,” Pearce said. “It’s kind of like [being] at the airport when you’re waiting for your slot to take off with Marvel, and we’re hoping we get a slot next year. Fingers crossed. They’re very happy with it, so hopefully it happens.”

Pearce also revealed The Runaways is just "awaiting a signal from Marvel to move ahead." The Runaways was created by Brian K. Vaughan and Adrian Alphona. The story follows "five L.A. teenagers who discover their parents are actually a group of supervillains, The Pride, who control the Californian criminal underworld. Discovering their own special abilities, they go on the run and work to bring down their parents."

We recently reported that Marvel had scheduled release dates for two untitled films for May 16, 2014 and June 27, 2014. I wonder if The Runaways could be one of those projects? With D23 on the horizon, we will likely have some confirmation. What are your thoughts on this news?