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Spoiler Warning: This article contains spoilers for Marvel’s Avengers: Endgame
After Spider-Man: Far From Home brought Marvel’s Infinity Saga to a close, the next phase of movies was kept under wraps, until today. Marvel Studios returned to San Diego Comic Con this year after a short absence, and they didn’t come alone. Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige took to the stage to announce the next Phase in the ever expanding MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe) and included a few surprises along the way.
First up, in 2020, the long awaited ‘Black Widow’ will be released and will fill in the gap between the character’s appearance at the end of Captain America: Civil War and the start of Avengers: Infinity War. They have also confirmed that iconic Marvel Comics characters Yelena Belova and Taskmaster will both appear.
Black Widow release date: 1st May 2020
In the Autumn of 2020, the MCU is set to branch out further, with a few live-action TV series being released on the new streaming service Disney+. The first to happen is ‘The Falcon and the Winter Soldier’, which will see Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan taking on Daniel Bruhl as the revenge driven Baron Zemo.
There was no reveal for the Falcon’s Captain America suit as of yet, but Anthony Mackie did take to the stage carrying the iconic shield.
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier release date: Autumn 2020
Closing 2020 will be the eagerly awaited ‘Eternals’, with a stellar line-up, including Angelina Jolie, Richard Madden, Kumail Nanjiani, Salma Hayek and Don Lee. Not much is known about this movie, but with a fantastic cast, this is one to keep an eye on.
Eternals release date: 6th November 2020
Starting 2021 will be the kung-fu movie ‘Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings’. This movie will feature Simu Liu as the titular character and will also feature the appearance of Tony Leung as the real Mandarin. As many will remember, The Mandarin appeared in Iron Man 3 (2013), but this was revealed to be an actor who had taken on the identity of the real person in the Marvel One-Shot, All Hail the King. It will be interesting to see how they bring this Mandarin to life.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings release date: 12th February 2021
Back on Disney+ in the Spring, will be ‘WandaVision’, which will see Elizabeth Olden and Paul Bettany return as Scarlet Witch and Vision. Not much is known yet, nor when the series takes place, but what has been revealed is that we will see the first appearance of Teyonah Parris as an adult version of Monica Rambeau (Captain Marvel), who might get the chance to suit up as Photon.
WandaVision release date: Spring 2021
Also returning in the Spring 2021 will be the God of Mischief himself, ‘Loki’, which will follow the 2012 version of the character who escaped from custody during Avengers: Endgame (2019). Tom Hiddleston is set to return.
Loki release date: Spring 2021
Later in the year, we will see the big screen return of the Sorcerer Supreme in ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’. The sequel will see Benedict Cumberbatch’s character facing off against creepy Marvel Comics character Nightmare, in what is said to be the MCU’s first horror movie. It has also been revealed that Elizabeth Olsen will reappear as Scarlet Witch.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness release date: 7th May 2021
In the summer of 2021, Marvel Studios will release its first animated series on Disney+, simply titled ‘What If…?’. The series will feature Jeffrey Wright as the classic Marvel character The Watcher and will see many actors from across the MCU reprising their roles in a series of alternate senarios. One is rumoured to focus on Hayley Atwell’s Peggy Carter becoming Captain America instead of Steve Rogers.
What If…? release date: Summer 2021
It has long been rumoured that ‘Hawkeye’ will also be getting his own streaming series, it has now been confirmed true, and will see a returning Jeremy Renner in a story that will introduce the new Hawkeye, Kate Bishop.
Hawkeye release date: Autumn 2021
And finally, closing out the year is the God of Thunder himself in the fourth entry in the Thor franchise, ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’. Chris Hemsworth will return once more, alongside Tessa Thompson as Valkyrie and, surprisingly, Natalie Portman as Jane Foster, who appeared on stage holding Mjolnir. Could we see her take over as Thor? Anything is possible at this point.
Thor: Love and Thunder release date: 5th November 2021
Keven Feige also went on to say that plans are in place for sequels to Black Panther and Captain Marvel, as well as the long-delayed Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. But the biggest surprises he saved for later.
The first was the announcement that ’Fantastic Four’ is on the way, but currently has no details at the time of writing. The final surprise was that Oscar winner, Mahershala Ali (Green Book) has been cast as the lead in a brand new movie of ‘Blade’!
Further details on the future of the MCU are scarce, with no word on a sequel to Ant-Man and the Wasp, nor the rumoured Dark Avengers or Nova. But one things for certain, things are only looking up.