Disney Investor Day saw Marvel announce a plethora of movies and TV series planned for Phase 4. The official reveal brought in hope for a more action-packed 2021 after a tedious 2020. The upcoming Marvel shows will be available for streaming on Disney Plus, which is steadily capturing the OTT platform.
If 2020 wasn’t bad enough, it got even more unbearable because this was the first time since 2009 without a single Marvel Studios film to catch in theatres. Nonetheless, keep wearing your masks, because you need to stick around for what’s in store for the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Phase 4 will see an interconnection between Marvel’s feature films and its Disney Plus originals. If you want to completely understand Marvel’s Phase 4, keeping up with the show might be integral to enjoying future Marvel movies.
Phase 4 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (In Order)
WandaVision – January 15, 2021
Phase 4 will officially kick off with WandaVision starring Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany. The duo will be seen living a euphoric suburban life while trying to restrain their powers. The headscratcher teaser is outlandish and unconventional, which is fitting for reality-warping Scarlet Witch. The Disney Plus series will directly tie into the movie Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness.
The Falcon and The Winter Soldier – March 19, 2021
The Disney Plus original will take place after the events of Avengers: Endgame. The show will see the return of Falcon (Anthony Mackie) and Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan). The six-episode series will share continuity with the films in the MCU.
The trailer makes it seem like a big-screen Marvel movie, which has turned even indifferent fans of the duo craving for its release. With Steve Rogers hanging up his shield in Endgame, perhaps the series will see someone else take up the mantle of Captain America.
Black Widow – May 7, 2021
Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson) was originally supposed to launch Marvel’s highly anticipated Phase 4. However, the pandemic put brakes on Marvel’s 2020 plans and we will see the spy thriller only in 2021. Contrasting to the hybrid approach of Warner Bros with Wonder Woman 1984, Marvel Studios have adhered to a theatrical release for Black Widow.
Loki – May 2021
Tom Hiddleston will reprise his role as the god of mischief in the upcoming Disney plus original. The series will follow an alternate version of Loki who teleported himself, by using the space stone in Avengers: Endgame. Trouble still follows the charming trickster who seemingly lands up in prison once again.
Loki will see Marvel step into an unprecedented territory by centring the show around crime thriller. The cast includes Owen Wilson, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Sophia Di Martino and Richard E. Grant. And my gosh, isn’t the BGM of the trailer simply magnificent.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings – July 9, 2021
Simu Liu will play the “Master of Kung Fu” Shang-Chi in the upcoming movie. Alongside him will be Awkwafina, Tony Leung and Michelle Yeoh. The movie will see the introduction of the real Mandarin (Sorry Iron Man 3) and his Ten Rings organization. The movie has officially wrapped production.
What If…? – Summer 2021
What If…? is Marvel Studios first stride into the animated genre. The Disney Plus original will feature ten episodes, each offering an alternate or what-if scenario to major moments in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The voices for the characters will be reprised by their MCU counterparts. It will also feature the voice of late Chadwick Boseman as T’Challa.
Eternals – November 5, 2021
The movie surrounds an immortal alien race – Eternals who have been secretly living on earth for over 7000 years. The star-studded cast features Angelina Jolie, Richard Madden, Salma Hayek, Kumail Nanjiani, Don Lee, Kit Harington, Lauren Ridloff, Brian Henry, Lia McHugh and Barry Keoghan. The ensemble cast will have to reunite to protect the earth from their enemies, the Deviants.
Spiderman 3 – December 17, 2021
The untitled Spiderman: Far From Home sequel might be the most awaited movie of 2021. Several rumours have suggested that Andrew Garfield and Toby Maguire might don the Spidey suit to assist Tom Holland’s Spiderman from a possible sinister six scenario. Dr Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) will also be joining the web-slinger in his adventures. The events of the movie will also directly tie into the Doctor Strange sequel.
Ms. Marvel – Late 2021
Iman Vellani will play the character of Pakistani American superhero Ms. Marvel/ Kamala Khan. Filming for the show began in November 2020 and will be available for streaming exclusively on Disney Plus. The show will be part of Phase 4 of the MCU.
Hawkeye – Late 2021
The Disney Original will see the return of Jeremy Renner as Clint Barton/Hawkeye. The series will involve passing the baton of Hawkeye to Kate Bishop, who is played by Hailee Steinfeld. Clint’s time as vigilante Ronin, who was seen in Avengers: Endgame will also be explored. The episodes will be co-directed by Bert & Bertie and Rhys Thomas.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness – March 25, 2022
The Sam Raimi directed Doctor Strange sequel will see the return of Benedict Cumberbatch as the Master of Mystic Arts. Joining him on his adventures will be Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen), Benedict Wong, Rachel McAdams and Chiwetel Ejiofor as Mordo. The movie will also see the introduction of America Chavez who will be played by Xochitl Gomez.
The movie will be connected to the events of WandaVision and the upcoming Spiderman: Far From Home sequel.
Thor: Love and Thunder – May 6, 2022
The fourth instalment of the Thor series will be directed by Taika Waititi, who had previously directed the much appreciated Thor: Ragnarok. Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Natalie Portman (Jane Foster), and Tessa Thompson (Valkyrie) will reprise their characters. Academy Award-winning actor Christian Bale, will play the villain Gorr The God Butcher in the film. The Guardians of the Galaxy will also be featured in the movie.
Black Panther 2 – July 8, 2022
A confirmed announcement revealed that Chadwick Boseman, who portrayed fan favourite T’Challa in the Black Panther, will not be recast following the actors’ death of colon cancer in August. The sequel will see the return of director Ryan Coogler.
Kevin Feige expressed, “To honour the legacy that Chad helped us build through his portrayal of the king of Wakanda, we want to continue to explore the world of Wakanda and all of the rich and varied characters introduced in the first film”.
Captain Marvel 2 – November 11, 2022
The sequel to 2019’s $1.12 billion grossing Captain Marvel will see Brie Larson return as Carol Danvers. The Nia DaCosta directed movie will see Iman Vellani co-star as Ms Marvel from the Disney Plus show. Teyonah Parris (Monica Rambeau) will also be part of the movie from WandaVision.
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania – TBD 2022
The third instalment of the Ant-Man series will be directed by Peyton Reed. Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lily, Michael Douglas and Michelle Pfeiffer will reprise their characters. Kathryn Newton will join the cast as Cassie Lang. Jonathan Majors will play a time-travelling villain, Kang the Conqueror.
She-Hulk – TBA 2022
The Disney Plus comedy series will see the debut of Jennifer Walters/She-Hulk. The character of Bruce Banner’s cousin will be played by Emmy-winner Tatiana Maslany. Mark Ruffalo will reprise his character as Hulk with Tim Roth playing Abomination, who was last seen in 2008’s Incredible Hulk.
Moon Knight – TBA 2022
The Disney Plus original will bring in an action-adventure genre to viewers with vigilante Marc Spector/ Moon Knight. The six-episode series will be directed by Mohamed Diab.
The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special – Late 2022
James Gunn will be directing Marvel’s first Holiday Special. It will be filmed during the production of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 – TBA 2023
James Gunn will be back to direct Guardians of the Galaxy. Disney had earlier fired Gunn with impertinence because some of the directors old controversial tweets had resurfaced. All the characters of the franchise are set to reprise their roles. The movie will be the third instalment in the series.
Secret Invasion – TBA
Samuel L. Jackson will reprise his character of Nick Fury while Ben Mendelsohn as Talos the Skrull. The Disney Plus original will revolve around a sect of Skulls who have infiltrated every level of life on earth.
Ironheart – TBA
Dominique Thorne will debut her character of Iron Heart in the Disney Plus original. The genius inventor Riri Williams/Iron Heart will have the most advanced suit armour since Tony Stark’s Ironman.
Armor Wars – TBA
Don Cheadle will reprise his role of War Machine from the MCU films. The series revolves around Tony Stark’s worst fear of his tech falls into the wrong hands coming true.
I am Groot – TBA
The adorable member of the guardians, Baby Groot will star in a series of short films on Disney Plus, with several new and unusual characters.
Blade – TBA
Academy Award winner Mahershala Ali will star as Blade, a half-vampire who hunts vampires. The character was originally portrayed by Wesley Snipes in the Blade Trilogy.
Fantastic Four Reboot – TBA
Jon Watts, the director of the Spiderman Trilogy under the Marvel Cinematic Universe will be directing the Fantastic Four. Marvel’s first family was originally produced under 20th Century Fox, which failed to meet expectations of fans and the box office. Now that Disney owns Fox and its properties, perhaps we will finally get a Fantastic Four movie that stays true to the comics.