The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has been the biggest movie franchise in the world for over a decade. With over 20 films and billions of dollars in box office revenue, the MCU has become a cultural phenomenon. The franchise’s success has largely been attributed to Marvel’s meticulous planning and well-executed Phase system that has helped keep fans engaged and invested in the storylines. Now, Marvel is gearing up for Phase Four, and fans around the world are eagerly waiting to see what’s in store.
Phase Four was initially expected to begin in 2020 with Black Widow, but the COVID-19 pandemic forced Marvel to delay the start of the new phase. Although there have been numerous setbacks, Marvel has finally revealed the new release dates for all the upcoming movies in Phase Four, starting from 2021.
‘Black Widow’ – July 9, 2021: Scarlett Johansson reprises her role as Natasha Romanoff, aka Black Widow, in a prequel movie. The film will explore her past and delve deeper into her character.
‘Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings’ – September 3, 2021: This film will showcase the first Asian superhero in the MCU. Simu Liu will play Shang-Chi, a master of Kung-Fu who is forced to confront the mysterious Ten Rings organization.
‘Eternals’ – November 5, 2021: The Eternals, an immortal alien race created by the Celestials, arrive on Earth to protect humanity against the Deviants. The star-studded cast includes Angelina Jolie, Richard Madden, and Salma Hayek.
‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ – December 17, 2021: Tom Holland returns as the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man, this time facing the multiverse head-on. With the return of past Spider-Man villains, fans can’t wait to see how the web-slinger saves the day.
‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ – March 25, 2022: Benedict Cumberbatch reprises his role as Doctor Strange in what has been described as the MCU’s first horror movie. The film is also expected to feature Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen) and bring back fan-favorite villain, The Living Tribunal.
‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ – July 8, 2022: After the tragic passing of Chadwick Boseman, fans are eagerly awaiting to see how the sequel will honor his memory while pushing forward the story of Wakanda.
‘The Marvels’ – November 11, 2022: Brie Larson as Captain Marvel will team up with Kamala Khan (Iman Vellani), the first Muslim superhero in the MCU, and Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris), who was last seen in WandaVision.
‘Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania’ – February 17, 2023: Paul Rudd and Evangeline Lilly return as the dynamic duo of Ant-Man and The Wasp. With the addition of Kang the Conqueror (Jonathan Majors), fans can expect a wild ride through the quantum realm.
‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’: Release Date TBA: Although the film’s release date is yet to be announced, fans can expect to see Star-Lord (Chris Pratt) and the Guardians save the galaxy once again.
Along with these movies, Marvel is also set to release several Disney+ series, including ‘Loki,’ ‘What If…?,’ ‘Hawkeye,’ ‘Ms. Marvel,’ and ‘She-Hulk.’ These shows will focus on lesser-known but equally beloved characters, bridging the events between the movies and providing more content for fans to enjoy.
In conclusion, Phase Four looks to be an exciting time for the MCU. With a mix of familiar faces and new additions, Marvel’s plan is to continue delivering blockbuster hits that will keep fans engaged and invested in the franchise. While the road ahead may be bumpy with the uncertainty caused by the pandemic, Marvel remains committed to delivering the best possible movies and shows for their fans.