The MCU is getting a whole lot bigger
With Endgame, Marvel wrapped up 11 years of films in one massive, explosive finale, breaking the record for the biggest film of all time and becoming arguably the biggest modern franchise of all time. The post-Endgame plans (Spider-man: Far From Home is still technically a part of Phase 3) were foggy, apart from rumors and comments here and there. Well, that now changes.
Marvel took to the fabled Hall H at San Diego Comic-Con to debut its next Phase, and it left all of our collective heads spinning.
MOVIES
Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige kicked off the party by revealing The Eternals. The film is directed by Chloe Zhao, and stars Angelina Jolie (Thena), Richard Madden (Ikarus), Kumail Nanjiani (Kingo), Salma Hayek (Ajak), Lauren Ridloff (Makkari), Brian Tyree Henry (Phastos), Lia McHugh (Sprite), and Don Lee (Gilgamesh) as Marvel’s take on the immortal gods that make the Universe run. The film arrives November 6, 2020.
Destin Daniel Cretton will direct Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, a film featuring a classic (and often forgotten) Marvel martial arts character. The part will be played by Simu Liu (of the most-excellent Kim’s Convenience TV series) and even bring back The Mandarin, but the REAL ONE this time (and maybe even the fake one as well). Shang-Chi arrives February 12, 2021.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is also on the way, bringing Benedict Cumberbatch’s Doctor back in theaters, alongside Scarlet Witch (more on that later) as Marvel fully takes on the Multiverse, this time in a darker, “scarier” film. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness arrives May 7, 2021.
Thor: Love and Thunder is the fourth film in the series (now the longest-running series based on one hero in the MCU), and will bring back Taika Watiti as the director, alongside Chris Hemsworth’s Fat Thor and Tessa Thompson’s Valkyrie, the King of Asgard. Also? Natalie Portman returns as Jane Foster, ready to take the Thor mantle as the Goddess of Thunder herself. Portman even walked on stage holding the hammer.
Fans of the comic books will know that this hits on the Thor the Unworthy arc that took over the series the last few years, which was both emotional and daring. Marvel also revealed that Valkyrie will (finally) become the MCU’s first major LGBTQ hero. Expect the film November 5, 2021.
Black Widow has finally been formally announced, and will be a prequel. The film, directed by Cate Shortland, will dive into Scarlett Johansson’s title character’s past as she battles the Taskmaster and her Russian assassin ties. It will also star David Harbour as Alexei (the Red Guardian), Florence Pugh as Yelena, O-T Fagbenle as Mason and Rachel Weisz as Melina. It arrives in theaters May 1, 2020.
As a surprise last drop, Blade is also returning to screens, this time played by Mahershala Ali (of Luke Cage fame). No date was given for the film, but 2021 or 2022 seems likely.
And if that’s not all, Feige revealed that plans are in place to bring The Fantastic Four to screens, the X-Men to the MCU, and even more films in pre-production, like Black Panther 2, Captain Marvel 2 and Guardians of the Galaxy 3. WHEW!
Disney+
With Disney’s streaming service kicking in this Fall, Marvel’s slate of programs was revealed, tying right into the existing and forthcoming MCU throughout the next year.
With Anthony Mackie’s Falcon taking the mantle of Captain America, or at least the shield, it’s now up to him to understand what that means. He’ll be joined by Sebastian Stan’ Winter Soldier in The Falcon and The Winter Soldier in Fall 2020 to figure that out, while battling the returning Baron Zemo played by Daniel Brühl — purple mask and all.
Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany return as Scarlet Witch and Vision in WandaVision, a prequel series to Infinity War. The pair will also bring along the character of Monica Rambeau, who was just a child Captain Marvel, when the series debuts in Spring 2021. It’ll tie right in to that Doctor Strange flick as well, so keep that on your radar.
There’s a certain scene in Endgame in which Loki makes a quick escape with a valuable weapon, and now we’ll know what happened during that period of time. Tom Hiddleston will reprise his role as Loki in the self-titled series, which debuts in Spring 2021.
I grew up loving the What If…? comic books, and now Marvel seems to be bringing a TV series designed around it specifically for me. What If…? will be an animated series featuring Jeffrey Wright as The Watcher and with several actors reprising their roles (voices?) when it launches in Summer 2021.
And finally, Hawkeye Ronin is officially coming to Disney+ in Hawkeye, which will bring Jeremy Renner’s character to life in a whole new way, perhaps as he passes the torch to his daughter Kate Bishop, who was last seen at the beginning of Endgame shooting arrows (and is the new Hawkeye in the comics). Hawkeye arrives Fall 2021.
So, here’s the full upcoming slate of films and shows based on Marvel’s MCU:
- May 1, 2020 –Â Black Widow
- November 6, 2020 –Â The Eternals
- Fall 2020 – The Falcon and Winter Soldier (Disney+)
- February 12, 2021 –Â Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
- Spring 2021 – WandaVision (Disney+)
- Spring 2021 – Loki (Disney+)
- May 7, 2021 –Â Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
- Summer 2021 – What If…? (Disney+)
- Fall 2021 – Hawkeye (Disney+)
- November 5, 2021 –Â Thor: Love and Thunder
- Blade (TBD)
- Black Panther 2 (TBD)
- Guardians of the Galaxy 3 (TBD)
- Fantastic Four (TBD)
- Captain Marvel 2 (TBD)
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