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This week, Marvel Studios announced a mammoth five-year schedule of films, introducing a plethora of new franchises along the way. In the midst of this excitement, Purple Revolver has managed to digest this all into a little glossary with all you need to know and what you can look forward to. And all in alphabetical order too, you lucky, lucky people.
Ant-Man
Ok it wasn’t announced yesterday but I couldn’t do a list like this without mentioning it. It happens to be the first film that will be released of all those mentioned in this article. Conman Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) wants to be a reformed character and does what we would all like to do, be a superhero with a powerful suit that gets more powerful the more he shrinks in size.
Release date: 15th July 2015
The Avengers 3: Infinity War Parts One and Two
If the title refers to the storyline of 1992, we’ll be seeing plenty more of Thanos (appeared in Guardians of the Galaxy) and Galactus (turned up as a cloud in Fantastic Four 2: Silver Surfer) in this one and a MacGuffin (the infinity gauntlet) that will cause all kinds of woe to the misfit group of heroes.
Release date: 4th May 2018 and 2019
Black Panther
Celebrated as the first black superhero every published, Black Panther is the chief of a fictional African tribe Wakandan Panther Clan, in the technologically advanced city of Wakanda. Real racist groups such as the KKK and the Apartheid in South Africa are tackled by the Panther in his stories. BP may have a similar suit to Daredevil but he has access to Wakandan magical artefacts, multiple martial arts and the predatory senses of a Panther.
Release date: 3rd November 2017
Captain America 3: Civil War
Mr US of A returns in May 2016, resuming his search for his best buddy, Bucky Barnes. As suggested in the title, the alternative timeline of the mid-noughties Civil War storyline is incorporated into his plight. Superheroes are being asked to register under official regulation to act as police officers instead of being vigilantes. Not all Superheroes like to be under such government control. A storm be brewing, aye.
Release date: 6th May 2016
Captain Marvel
The first dedicated female superhero made by Marvel. The title was originally given to a Kree (From Guardians) called Mar-Vell (see what they did there). Monica Rambeu will be the second of many who have carried the monicker of Captain Marvel. She specialises in being able to transform herself into any form of energy.
Release date: 6th July 2018
Doctor Strange
He sounds like he should be a villain but I can assure you he isn’t. He is a supreme sorcerer who makes it his life goal to protect the world from evil magic. The guys at Marvel have the potential to have a lot of fun with this one, making it a lot more surreal, as Doctor Strange has the ability to travel to different dimensions, which were portrayed in a hallucinogenic way in the comics. He WAS created in the 60s. Peace, man.
Release date: 6th November 2016
Guardians of the Galaxy 2
James Gunn returns to direct the sequel to this year’s most successful film. The whole cast will return with a new threat to the universe to confront. Expect more humorous banter between the Guardians and plenty more 70s music.
Release date: 5 May 2017
Inhumans
The Kree sure do get around. Not only do they want to try to rule the whole universe, they also want to create their own breed of superhumans called the Inhumans. A species so powerful the Kree decided to leave them alone. The Inhumans forged their own society and led by King Bolt, they have the potential to be a much needed ally for the Avengers.
Release date: 2nd November 2018
Thor: Ragnarok
If it is consistent with the comics. Thor 3 is going to be a continuation of the Civil War storyline, which will be set up by Cap’n USA 3. Hardcore Marvel fans will be salivating at the prospect of seeing the clone of Thor, Ragnaraok, in all his CGI glory. I’m pleased to say the Tom Hiddleston will be returning as Loki (My friend Jo will be made up about that particular fact).
Release date: 28th July 2018
It’s an impressive portfolio of films that will further expand the Marvel Universe on the silver screen. Disney are using their purchase very wisely and creatively, without causing uproar within the hardcore Marvel community by making any drastic changes. Bloody Marvel-lous (sigh).