With Avengers: Endgame and Spider-Man: Far From Home, behind us, we have finally come to the conclusion of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s “Phase 3.” Although it wasn’t the longest of the MCU phases, it had the most films, with 10 total. But while these films mark the end of an era for Marvel Studios, we all know that’s nowhere near the end of the story. We’re just gettin’ started, folks.
So just what movies and TV series are going to be making up the MCU’s Phase 4? Turns out, between big-screen adventures and a slate of new shows on Disney+, it’s quite a lot. Between both mediums, there will be metric ton of different Marvel Cinematic Universe projects, spread across the next several years!
Marvel Studios
What Are All the Phase 4 Projects?
At San Diego Comic-Con in 2019, Kevin Feige unveiled the entire Phase 4 slate, which consisted of films and television series on Disney+. A month later at the D23 Expo, he added a handful of other titles to the mix. He also announced cast and crew for these projects, although some of them have since been amended. At the Disney Investor Day presentation in December of 2020, even more details and projects were announced. Here is the complete Phase 4 schedule as it stands now:
WandaVision (Series – January 15, 2021)
Marvel Studios
Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen) and Vision (Paul Bettany) reunite in domestic bliss—even though when last we saw Vision, he was very dead. So what is going on here? This six-episode show is said to be Marvel’s trippiest yet, with the couple seemingly living through various sitcom realities created by Wanda’s reality-altering powers. Kevin Feige has said we will see Wanda fully become the Scarlet Witch in this series.
Characters from across the MCU are joining this series, including Teyonah Parris as a grown up Monica Rambeau from Captain Marvel. In the comics, the character famously becomes Captain Marvel herself. Also joining up are Kat Dennings as Thor’s Darcy Lewis and Ant-Man and the Wasp’s Randall Park as Agent Woo. There are rumors that Evan Peters is joining the series, which is interesting because he is the X-Men film’s Quicksilver. Who just so happens to be Wanda’s brother in the comics. Also hinted at arriving into the MCU are Wanda and Vision’s twin sons, Speed and Wiccan.
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (Series – March 19, 2021)
Marvel Studios
Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan are reprising their roles as Sam Wilson (The Falcon) and Bucky Barnes (The Winter Soldier). This Captain America spin-off series also sees the return of Daniel Brühl’s Baron Zemo, as well as Emily VanCamp as Agent Sharon Carter. Wyatt Russell joins the series as John Walker, also known as U.S. Agent. Originally meant to come out in August of 2020, it’s now set to drop on March 19, 2021.
The Black Widow (Film – May 7, 2021)
Marvel Studios
Phase 4’s kick-off was meant to be in May of 2020 with Black Widow. But the outbreak of the coronavirus halted those plans. Starring Scarlett Johansson as Natasha Romanoff/The Black Widow, this film is said to take place shortly after the events of Civil War. Directed by Cate Shortland, the cast also includes David Harbour as Alexi/Red Guardian, Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova, and Rachel Weisz as Melina Vostokoff, a.k.a. Iron Maiden in the pages of Marvel comics. Taskmaster will be the primary villain from all indications. May 7, 2021 is the new release date.
Loki (Series – May 2021)
Marvel Studios
Tom Hiddleston’s God of Mischief keeps cheating death. Despite dying at the start of Infinity War, a version of him from the past gets away via the Space Stone in Endgame. The six-part Loki series will follow that version of Loki on a journey through time, running afoul of the Time Variance Authority. Joining Loki on this adventure are actors Owen Wilson, Sophia Di Martino, Richard E. Grant, and Gugu Mbatha-Raw. Rumors persist that Lady Loki will be a part of this show as well. Loki is dropping in May of 2021.
Shang-Chi: And the Legend of the Ten Rings (Film – July 9, 2021)
Marvel Studios
The lethal martial artist of ’70s Marvel Comics is finally coming to the big screen. Directed by Dustin Daniel Cretton, the film will star Simu Liu as Shang-Chi, the Master of Kung-Fu. Tony Leung will be playing the real Mandarin and leader of the Ten Rings. Awkwafina will also appear in Shang-Chi in an as-yet undisclosed role. This is the first big screen Marvel Studios adventure starring an Asian lead, with a mostly Asian cast. Shang-Chi’s original release date was in February of 2021, but it is now set to hit in July of that year.
The Eternals (Film – November 5, 2021)
Marvel Studios
Marvel’s immortal race known as The Eternals were created by Jack Kirby in the ’70s and are now filling in some important MCU history. This all-star cast includes Richard Madden as Ikaris, Angelina Jolie as Thena, Kumail Nanjiani as Kingo, Salma Hayek as Ajak, Brian Tyree Henry as Phastos, Don Lee as Gilgamesh, Lia McHugh as Sprite, and The Walking Dead’s Lauren Ridloff is Makkari. Game of Thrones’ Kit Harington will also appear as the Avenger known as the Black Knight. Directed by Chloe Zhao, Eternals was originally set to come out in November of 2020. But the pandemic pushed the release to November of 2021
What If…? (Series – Summer 2021)
Marvel Studios
Alternate realities and the Multiverse is going to be a big thing going forward in the MCU. And that will especially be felt in Marvel Studios’ first animated series What If…? Uatu The Watcher (Geoffrey Wright) watches over the Multiverse in a series which will give us alternate versions of famous MCU heroes, voiced by their live-action counterparts. Confirmed to return to their respective roles are Michael B. Jordan, Sebastian Stan, Josh Brolin, Mak Ruffalo, Tom Hiddleston, Samuel L. Jackson, Hayley Atwell, Karen Gillan, Jeremy Renner, Paul Rudd, Michael Douglas, Natalie Portman, Stanley Tucci, Taika Waititi, and several others. It will also include the late Chadwick Boseman’s last performance as T’Challa.
Hawkeye (Series – Fall 2021)
Marvel Studios
The Avengers’ archer supreme, played by Jeremy Renner, will finally get his spotlight. The Disney+ series will focus on Clint Barton passing on the heroic mantle of Hawkeye to the next generation. Just as in the comics, teenager Kate Bishop (Hailee Steinfeld) will become the new Hawkeye, after a period of training by Barton. For fans of the comics, yes, Pizza Dog will also be included!
Ms. Marvel (Series – Fall, 2021)
One of the more recently created heroes to get a spotlight in the MCU, the teenage Ms. Marvel is actually Kamala Khan, a Pakistani American from Jersey City, New Jersey. She has shapeshifting powers activated via her latent Inhuman DNA, and becomes a superhero patterned after her idol Captain Marvel. The series comes from writer and comedian Bisha K. Ali, who will act as the series showrunner. Adil El Arbi & Bilall Fallah, Meera Menon, and Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy will direct the episodes. Iman Vellani will play Kamal Khan, joined by Aramis Knight, Saagar Shaikh, Rish Shah, and Zenobia Shroff. Ms. Marvel debuts in the Fall of 2021.
Spider-Man 3 (Film – December 17, 2021)
Sony Pictures
For a brief moment in 2019, it seemed that Sony’s third Spider-Man outing with Tom Holland would not be set in the MCU. A new deal was struck however, and the MCU Spidey trilogy will conclude in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as it was meant to be. Director Jon Watts will be back, as will most of the main cast. And this is where things get wild. Among the villains are Jamie Foxx from Amazing Spider-Man 2, and Alfred Molina as Doc Ock from the Sam Raimi Spider-Man 2! Benedict Cumberbatch as Doctor Strange will also be on hand in a mentor role. And reports persist of previous Spider-Men Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield joining up as well.
All we know so far is that it will deal with the direct fallout from the cliffhanger ending in Far From Home, which saw Peter Parker’s identity exposed to the world, and Spider-Man framed for the murder of Mysterio. Given some of the cast members involved, expect the Marvel Multiverse to come into play big time. It’s also very likely that it will have the word “home” in the title. Spider-Man 3 has had three release dates so far: July 16, 2021, then November 5, 2021, and finally, December 17, 2021.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (Film – March 25, 2022)
Marvel Studios
The Master of the Mystic Arts will finally get his long awaited sequel, when Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness hits theaters in 2022. As the title suggest, the film will explore the Marvel Multiverse, opening windows into strange new iterations of several classic characters. It was originally set to be directed by Scott Derrickson, who helmed the first film. He departed the project in early 2020 and was replaced by the original Spider-Man trilogy’s Sam Raimi. Benedict Wong and Chiwetel Ejiofor are reprising their roles from the original film. Elizabeth Olsen is reprising her role as Scarlet Witch, in a storyline that will spin off from WandaVision.
Thor: Love and Thunder (Film – May 6, 2022)
Marvel Studios
The God of Thunder will return, as Chris Hemsworth gets a fourth solo Thor film in 2022. Thor: Love and Thunder will once again be helmed by Thor: Ragnarok’s Taika Waititi. Tessa Thompson, who played Valkyrie in Ragnarok, is also back. Christian Bale leaves Gotham City behind to play the film’s villain, Gorr the God Butcher, and Natalie Portman returns as Jane Foster. Similar to the comics, this time Jane will wield the hammer and become Thor herself. The Guardians of the Galaxy members will appear as well, with Star-Lord Chris Pratt announced as returning. This one starts off the summer of 2022 on May 6.
Black Panther II (Film – July 8, 2022)
Marvel Studios
The entire original plan for the Black Panther sequel was thrown into upheaval with the shocking death of Chadwick Boseman in August of 2020. But work on Black Panther II continues, with the original director Ryan Coogler back in the director’s chair. But although Coogler is returning, the character of T’Challa won’t be, as Boseman’s role will not be recast. Right now, Marvel’s plan is to “explore the world of Wakanda and the rich characters introduced in the first film.” Black Panther II is set to hit theaters on July 8, 2022.
Captain Marvel 2 (Film – November 11, 2022)
Marvel Studios
The sequel to the billion-dollar hit featuring the cosmic Avenger Carol Danvers will arrive towards the end of 2022. This time, Brie Larson will be joined by Ms. Marvel, as Iman Vellani’s character joins her idol on the big screen. Also suiting up is is Teyonah Parris, who plays the adult Monica Rambeau from the first film. She makes her debut in WandaVision. Directed by Nia DaCosta, Captain Marvel 2 is slated to open November 11, 2022.
Moon Knight (Series – Fall, 2021)
Marvel Studios
The last Disney+ MCU series for 2022 centers on Marc Spector aka Moon Knight, described as “a complex vigilante who suffers from dissociative identity disorder.” The various multiple identities who live inside him will be presented as distinct characters in the series, and will appear against a backdrop of Egyptian mythology. Oscar Isaac is set to play the title role, although he hasn’t been officially announced as of yet. The series will be directed by Mohamed Diab.
What About The Rest of Phase 4, and Phase 5?
Marvel made announcements for several projects for the rest of 2022 and into 2023 at the Investor Day presentation. Just with more nebulous release dates. Some we knew about, but they now have new cast members announced, along with official titles. Others were brand new. Here’s what we know about what lies beyond for the rest of Phase 4 and Phase 5.
The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special (2022)
Marvel Studios
In the tradition of the 1978 Star Wars Holiday Special, James Gunn is giving his ragtag crew of space misfits a jolly holiday. This live-action holiday episode will shoot alongside the third Guardians film, and will debut before. Will Groot become a Christmas Tree? Do we even need to ask? This one will drop during the Holiday season of 2022. Also coming in 2022 is a series of short animated films about everyone’s favorite talking tree, in I Am Groot.
Secret Invasion (Series – sometime in 2022)
Marvel Studios
This series is based on the Brian Michael Bendis event comic of the same name. The 2008 Marvel crossover saw several shapeshifting alien Skrull operatives replacing well known heroes and global leaders in key positions. This series puts Samuel L. Jackson’s Nick Fury front and center, accompanied by his Captain Marvel co-star Ben Mendelshon as the Skrull good guy Talos,
Armor Wars (Series -sometime in 2022)
Marvel Studios
This Disney+ series is based on a classic Iron Man storyline from the ’80s, which saw Tony Stark’s armor designs and tech fall into the wrong hands. With Tony gone, his fight will be taken up by his best friend James Rhodes, aka War Machine. Don Cheadle will headline this series, his first leading role since joining the MCU in Iron Man 2.
Ironheart (Series -sometime in 2022)
Marvel Studios
Actress Dominique Thorne plays teenage genius inventor Riri Williams in Ironheart. This series is all about a young prodigy who creates the most advanced suit of armor since Iron Man. Like Armor Wars, this will be another series which focuses on the legacy of Tony Stark, and all those who see him as an inspiration.
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (Film – Sometime in 2023)
Marvel Studios
Pal Rudd, Evangeline Lilly are back as our titular heroes, now joined by Kathryn Newton as Cassie Lang, the daughter of Scott Lang. Also returning are Michael Douglas as Dr. Hank Pym, and Michelle Pfeiffer as Janet Van Dyne, the original Ant-Man and Wasp. Most excitingly, Jonathan Majors from Lovecraft Country will portray Kang the Conqueror. Original Ant-Man director Peyton Reed returns for this threequel, which probably lands sometime in 2023.
Blade (Film – Sometime in 2022)
We’ve known this one was coming since SDCC 2019. But as of right now, all we know about the Mahershala Ali reboot of the daywalking vampire killer is that it’s part of Phase 5. All Kevin Feige would say is that the movie is “coming together” and that everyone would learn something more substantial in the near future. Could this be the MCU’s first R-rated horror movie? Probably not, but anything is possible!
The Fantastic Four (Film – Sometime in 2023)
Marvel’s first family will arrive in Phase 5, with none other the current Spider-Man trilogy’s director, Jon Watts. We don’t know anything about this one yet, besides that it’s coming. And we know have a very cool logo. Will the 4th time be the charm for the 4? With Marvel Studios in charge, their chances have never been better for cinematic greatness.
What About the X-Men and Deadpool?
Marvel Comics
Due to the merger of Disney and Twentieth Century Fox, the X-Men and Deadpool are now in the domain of Kevin Feige and Marvel Studios. So are they coming in Phase 4? Not so fast. But they are coming. The X-Men will probably have a bit longer to wait, since their last movie only came out in 2019. But Kevin Feige has plans for the Merc with the Mouth, and of course Ryan Reynolds will remain in the suit. It’s only a question of when he shows up, crashing through that fourth wall.
Featured Image: Marvel Studios
Originally published on June 20, 2019, with updates on December 11, 2020.
