With the release of Avengers: Endgame and Spider-Man: Far from Home this year Phase 3 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe is officially over. Bigger than that the 11 year, 22 movie journey Marvel has dubbed “The Infinity Saga” has come to an end.
What does that mean?
Well, here comes Phase 4.
Kevin Feige, president of Marvel Studios, took the stage at Hall H during San Diego Comic-Con and announced 10 projects that will take audiences through 2021 including a mix of movies and shows on Disney’s new streaming service Disney+.
Let’s go in order of release and see what Marvel has in its post-Avengers world.
Black Widow- May 1, 2020
Scarlett Johansson will reprise her role as Natasha Romanova in a prequel that will see Marvel villain The Taskmaster finally get his time in the theater. Johansson called it a “mature step” in Marvel’s growing universe. The movie will co-star Stranger Things’ David Harbour, Rachel Weisz, O.T. Fagbenle and Florence Pugh. If Scarlett does not take any tree-related roles Black Widow will release May 1, 2020.
The Falcon and The Winter Soldier- Fall 2020
DIsney+ will be the place to watch the continuing bromance of Anthony Mackie’s Falcon and Sebastian Stan’s Winter Soldier. The show announcement was not a surprise since the news has already been out for months, but what did have fans talking was the return of Daniel Bruhl’s Baron Zemo. You may remember Zemo as the antagonist in Captain America: Civil War only this time he will come with his trademark mask.
Eternals- November 6, 2020
With The Avengers as we know them no more and Guardians of the Galaxy 3 some years off what will be the next superteam movie for Marvel? That answer came in the form of Eternals, the comic created by Jack Kirby and reintroduced in 2006 by Neil Gaiman. Marvel movies don’t do things small and the casting for Eternals showed that. Angelina Jolie, Richard Madden, Salma Hayek and Kumail Nanjiani lead the cast of almost immortal aliens. Like when Guardians of the Galaxy released the normal moviegoer may not be aware of the characters of Eternals, but we know what Marvel has done. Everyone knows who Rocket and Groot are now.
Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings- February 12, 2021
Like Eternals, Shang Chi may not be a household name, but he is a very important piece of the growing Marvel Cinematic Universe. The movie will be the first Marvel film led by and Asian hero and his name is Simu Liu. Canadian born Liu was cast only a few days ahead of Comic-Con and said this of his whirlwind week. “ I got four days to prep. I auditioned on Tuesday, screen-tested on Sunday in New York. And I’m here today. I can’t describe how I feel about this.” Awkwafina will join the “Master of Kung-Fu” to take on The Mandarin.
WandaVision- Spring 2021
Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany return as Scarlet Witch and Vision, Marvel resident love connection. Olsen said the show would explore deeper into Wanda’s character while being not what fans think. “We’re gonna have a lot of funny but it’s gonna be weird.” Fans will want to watch WandaVision because the events of the show will lead directly into…
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness- May 7, 2021
Doctor Strange was a great origin story, but the second movie is really where we see where the character can go. Benedict Cumberbatch is back and teaming with Scarlet Witch to take on the villain Nightmare. Director Scott Derrickson said the movie will be the first scary movie in the MCU. With the multiverse being introduced in Spider-Man: Far from Home we know that a lot is possible and Doctor Strange looks to take the next move forward.
Loki- Spring 2021
Tom Hiddleston is back as everyone’s favorite adopted son of Asgard. After Infinity War many wondered how this would happen. Now that Endgame has established another Loki in an alternate timeline we get to see what kind of shenanigans he will get into. Remember this will be 2012 post-Avengers Loki so he is somewhat more bitter than the one we have been used to.
What If…? Summer 2021
I loved reading What If…? when I was a kid. There have been multiple versions of What If…? since it released in 1977. What If…? would give readers a look at The Watcher as he would tell stories from alternate realities like “What If Gwen Stacy Had Lived?”. The animated series will feature the actors voices that you know from the MCU so if they have an episode involving Winter Soldier it will be Sebatian Stan and not some sound alike. Jeffrey Wright from Westworld was announced to be voicing The Watcher.
Thor: Love and Thunder- November 5, 2021
When the news dropped that Taika Waititi would be returning to direct the next Thor we all knew it would be weird. I mean weird is what made Thor: Ragnarok great and they did not disappoint. Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson return from being Men in Black for more Asgardian fun and they are not the only ones returning. In a surprise no one saw coming Natalie Portman came on stage to return as Jane Foster and she will be taking a cue from Jason Aaron’s The Mighty Thor comic and Jane herself will become Thor. Most movie franchises lose steam as they get older, but Thor seems to not have gotten that memo.
Feige then announced that Fantastic 4, Black Panther 2, Guardians of the Galaxy 3, Captain Marvel 2 and X-Men were all in development. Most thought this was the end of the show, but Feige said there was one more thing.
Blade
Feige brought out 2 time Oscar winner Mahershala Ali and announced that he would be the new daywalker that hunts vampires to the crowds applause. This felt like the best thing about the entire Hall H panel because it was truly out of left field. There were rumors Marvel was going to make a new Blade now we have confirmation with one of the best actors working today. Sure we all want Wesley Snipes to do another Blade...maybe in a multiverse we will have it again.
What did you think of Marvel’s Phase 4 lineup? Were there things that were not announced you were looking forward to? What was the best thing you liked? Have your own casting ideas? Vote on who you think should play the X-Men and let us know.
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