Marvel Studios has established itself as a juggernaut in the entertainment industry. With its cinematic universe spanning over a decade, the studio has produced some of the most iconic movies of our time. However, with the conclusion of its phase three, fans are left wondering what’s next for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). In this article, we’ll discuss what we know so far about the next phase of Marvel movies and what fans can expect.
To begin with, let’s take a look at what we already know. Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige has announced that the next phase of Marvel movies will consist of 10 projects, including films and Disney+ series. The phase will officially begin with “Black Widow,” which will release in July 2021 after multiple delays due to the pandemic. The film will focus on the backstory of Natasha Romanoff, a.k.a. Black Widow, and will take place after the events of “Captain America: Civil War.” This movie will also introduce Yelena Belova, played by Florence Pugh, who is expected to take on the mantle of Black Widow in future films.
Another highly anticipated film is “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings,” which is set to release in September 2021. This movie will feature the first Asian superhero in the MCU and will focus on Shang-Chi, a skilled martial artist who must confront his past when he’s drawn into the Ten Rings organization. The Ten Rings were first introduced in the first “Iron Man” movie, and fans have been waiting for them to play a more significant role in the MCU.
Following “Shang-Chi,” the next movie in the MCU’s phase four will be “Eternals,” which will release in November 2021. This film will introduce a group of ancient aliens who have been living on Earth for thousands of years, secretly shaping human history. The Eternals were created by the Celestials, who were first introduced in “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1.” The movie’s star-studded cast includes Angelina Jolie, Salma Hayek, and Kumail Nanjiani.
Moving on to 2022, the MCU will see the release of multiple films and series. First up is “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” which is set to release in December 2021. This film has been shrouded in secrecy, but rumors suggest that it will feature multiple versions of Spider-Man, including those played by Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield. The movie will also tie into the events of the Disney+ series “WandaVision” and “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.”
Following “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” Marvel will release “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” in March 2022. This movie will explore the concept of the multiverse, which was first introduced in “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.” The film will see the return of Benedict Cumberbatch as Doctor Strange, and Elizabeth Olsen will reprise her role as Wanda Maximoff, a.k.a. Scarlet Witch. The movie’s director, Sam Raimi, has promised that it will be the first “horror movie” in the MCU.
In May 2022, Marvel will release “Thor: Love and Thunder,” which will see the return of Chris Hemsworth as Thor and Natalie Portman as Jane Foster. The film will also introduce the character of Valkyrie as the new King of Asgard. One of the most exciting aspects of the movie is that it will feature the Guardians of the Galaxy, who Thor joined at the end of “Avengers: Endgame.”
Moving on to Disney+ series, the MCU’s phase four will see the release of multiple shows, including “WandaVision” and “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier” have already premiered, and “Loki” will release in June 2021. The series will follow the God of Mischief after he escapes from the Avengers in “Avengers: Endgame.” The show will explore alternate timelines and is expected to tie into the events of “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.”
Another highly anticipated Disney+ series is “Hawkeye,” which will release in late 2021. The show will follow Clint Barton, a.k.a. Hawkeye, as he trains a new protege, Kate Bishop, to take over the mantle of Hawkeye. The series will also feature the return of Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova from “Black Widow.”
In addition to these projects, Marvel has also announced several other films and series for the future. “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” will release in July 2022 and will explore the world of Wakanda following the death of Chadwick Boseman. “The Marvels,” which will release in November 2022, will bring together Captain Marvel, Ms. Marvel, and Monica Rambeau in a team-up movie. “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” is also in the works, and it will see the return of Paul Rudd as Ant-Man and the introduction of Kang the Conqueror, played by Jonathan Majors.
So, what can fans expect from the next phase of Marvel movies? Based on the information we have so far, it’s clear that the MCU is continuing to expand and explore new characters and concepts. The introduction of the multiverse and alternate timelines will open up endless possibilities for storytelling, and we can expect to see more crossovers and team-ups in future films and series.
One of the most exciting aspects of the next phase is the diversity and representation we’ll see on screen. With “Shang-Chi” and “The Marvels,” Marvel is taking steps towards more inclusive storytelling and representation. We’ll also see more female-led projects, such as “Black Widow,” “WandaVision,” and “The Marvels,” which is a refreshing change from the male-dominated superhero movies of the past.
Another aspect of the next phase that fans are excited about is the return of beloved characters. With the introduction of the multiverse, we’ll see the return of characters who were previously thought to be gone for good, such as Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield’s versions of Spider-Man. We’ll also see the return of fan-favorite characters like Doctor Strange and Thor, who will be joined by new characters like Shang-Chi and the Eternals.
In conclusion, the next phase of Marvel movies promises to be an exciting time for fans of the MCU. With a diverse range of projects, including films and series, and the introduction of the multiverse, Marvel is continuing to push the boundaries of what we expect from superhero movies. We can’t wait to see what’s in store for our favorite heroes and villains as the MCU continues to expand and evolve.
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