The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has come a long way since its inception in 2008 with the release of Iron Man. Over the past decade, the MCU has expanded to include a diverse cast of heroes, villains, and locations from around the world and beyond. From the battlefields of Wakanda to the cosmic reaches of space, the MCU has taken fans on a wild ride through the world of superheroes.
With the recent release of Avengers: Endgame, fans are eagerly anticipating what’s next for the MCU. The future of the MCU is promising, with a slate of new superhero movies and TV shows in development. Let’s take a look at the evolution of the Marvel movies and what’s next for the MCU.
Phase One: The Birth of the Marvel Cinematic Universe
The first phase of the MCU focused on introducing audiences to the concept of the interconnected superhero universe. Iron Man was the first film in the MCU and it set the tone for the movies to come. The film was a critical and commercial success and it introduced fans to Tony Stark, a billionaire industrialist turned superhero.
The MCU continued to expand in phase one with the release of The Incredible Hulk, Thor, and Captain America: The First Avenger. Each film introduced a new hero and their respective world. These films set the stage for the formation of the Avengers, which united the heroes in a battle against their common enemy, Loki.
Phase Two: The Expansion of the MCU
Phase two of the MCU saw the universe continue to expand with the introduction of new characters and locations. The Avengers returned in Avengers: Age of Ultron, which introduced new characters like Quicksilver, Scarlet Witch, and the android Vision. The film also set up the conflict for the next phase, with the introduction of the villainous Thanos.
Other films in phase two included Guardians of the Galaxy, Ant-Man, and Captain America: The Winter Soldier. These films introduced new heroes and expanded the scope of the MCU to include space and the quantum realm.
Phase Three: The Climax of the MCU
Phase three of the MCU was the culmination of the first decade of movies. The Avengers faced their greatest threat yet in Thanos, who sought to destroy half of all life in the universe with the snap of his fingers.
Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame were the two films that concluded the Infinity Saga, which spanned over 20 movies. These two films brought together all the heroes of the MCU and united them in a desperate battle against Thanos.
What’s Next for the MCU?
Now that the Infinity Saga has ended, fans are eagerly anticipating the next phase of the MCU. The next film in the MCU is Black Widow, which is set to release in July 2021. The film is a prequel that takes place after the events of Captain America: Civil War.
Other films in development includes Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Eternals, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, and Thor: Love and Thunder. These films introduce new characters and expand the scope of the MCU to include the multiverse.
The MCU is also expanding to the small screen with several TV shows in development for Disney+. These shows include WandaVision, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Loki, and Hawkeye. These shows will explore the aftermath of Endgame and introduce new characters to the MCU.
In conclusion, the evolution of the Marvel movies has been a wild ride. From the birth of the MCU to the conclusion of the Infinity Saga, the films have introduced audiences to a diverse cast of heroes and villains from around the world and beyond. With the next phase of the MCU promising to expand the universe even further, fans are eagerly anticipating what’s next for their favorite superheroes.