The future is bright for the MCU as Kevin Feige reveals the end of Phase 4, the full Phase 5, and Phase 6’s beginning and end at #MarvelSDCC. We’re in for one hell of a ride over the next three years for MCU content. As always, Kevin Feige knows what the fans want, and while not all people’s wishes were granted, he did drop some pretty big bombshells at the live-action MCU panel.
As you can tell by this frantically written article, we’re incredibly excited about what is coming. So strap in, people, because,e we’re going to break down what we learned about late Phase 4, Phase 5 and the partial Phase 6.
Phase 4 Will End With Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Wakanda Forever Will See The African Nation Mourn The Loss Of Their King
Feige has revealed that Black Panther: Wakanda Forever will conclude Phase 4. At the tail end of the panel, they dropped the film’s first look, which confirmed Riri Williams/Ironheart and Namor’s appearances. The cast also joined director Ryan Coogler on stage alongside the newcomers to the ensemble.
The trailer reveals Wakanda in mourning as it deals with the death of T’Challa (the late Chadwick Boseman). At the same time, someone new will resume the mantle of the Black Panther. Everyone closest to T’Challa will struggle with losing him, especially his mother, Ramonda (Angela Bassett) and sister, Shuri (Letitia Wright).
While there was a tease to the new Black Panther, they have NOT said who it is. There have been rumours as to who it might be. We’re not going to say who has been speculated to be in the role, as the information came from a scooper. We’ve never trusted the word of scoopers, and they don’t deserve to have a platform because it tarnishes people’s high expectations. It causes them to crap on a film when the scoop doesn’t happen.
A while ago, we spoke about the new Black Panther and how we believe it should be Shuri. Actually, we’ve written two articles on it.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever will drop on November 11 2022.
Gear Up For Some Hulk Family Hijinks
Moving on from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, She-Hulk will also be one of the final projects to drop as part of Phase 4. We’ve known about the series since it was announced in 2019. However, it’s the first time we’ve heard that it’s a final project of Phase 4. The #MarvelSDCC dropped the final hilarious trailer!
One of the funniest moments is when Bruce (Mark Ruffalo) blows a horn in Jennifer (Tatiana Maslany)’s face while she sleeps to get her to transform. These two have so much familial energy that it’s contagious! Also, Emil Blonsky (Tim Roth) pops up with Jennifer protesting that he tried to kill her cousin.
This line alone indicates how the events of 2008’s Incredible Hulk will factor into the narrative and how Blonsky becomes Jen’s charge. That brings us to two other appearances in the trailer. First, Supreme Sorcerer Wong (Benedict Wong) shows up to talk to the lady Hulk about Emil. The last thing we wanted to bring up is it revealed that Charlie Cox would reprise his role as Daredevil but in a black and yellow suit. Will his appearance in Spider-Man: No Way Home be referenced? It might be, but She-Hulk is the first time the devil of Hell’s Kitchen has appeared in the MCU in a significant role.
She-Hulk: Attorney at Law will drop on Disney+ on August 17 2022, in a few weeks.
Phase 5 Starts With Ant-Man And The Wasp: Quantumania
Start Shrinking As Kang Is Coming!
The first film in Phase 5 will be Ant-Man And The Wasp: Quantumania and will see Scott (Paul Rudd), Hope (Evangeline Lilly) and Cassie (Kathryn Newton) go up against Kang the Conqueror (Jonathan Majors). We saw a variation of the character in Loki Season 1, and the character was seen in statue form.
It has also been announced that Bill Murray is officially in the film, but his character is unknown. Also, MODOK will appear in the movie too.
The film is slated for release on February 2023.
Who Is The Enemy Here?
Next up, we have the long-awaited series, Secret Invasion. There’s no exact release date yet, but the slate says Spring 2023. According to onlookers at the panel, there was footage or a picture of a very dishevelled-looking Fury (Samuel L. Jackson). Maria Hill (Cobie Smulders) will also appear. Martin Freeman will reprise his role as Everett Ross, whose most recent appearance will be Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Also, Rhodey (Don Cheadle) will pop up, which we assume might tie into Armor Wars series, which currently has no release date. Finally, we cannot forget that Ben Mendelsohn will return as everyone’s favourite Skrull, Talos.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 And Info On I Am Groot
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 will be the final appearance of the original group, which Will Poulter’s Adam Warlock will join.
James Gunn also clarified what’s happening with the timeline for the upcoming shorts series; I Am Groot. He says that the series will NOT take place on Earth-616 but a different Earth.
GotG Vol. 3 releases on May 5 2023.
Ironheart, Echo And Loki Season 2
There wasn’t much information about Echo and Loki Season 2, but their releases are scheduled for a Summer 2023 release on Disney+. Upon the 2023 releases was Ironheart, which is to be released to the streaming platform in Fall 2023.
The Marvels And Blade
The upcoming The Marvels hasn’t changed from its July 28, 2023 release date after it switched with Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. There’s no additional information on the film. However, we were FINALLY given a release date for Blade, which drops on November 3, 2023. We’ve already met Iman Vellani’s Ms Marvel. Let’s not forget we met Nani and Kareem halfway through Ms Marvel‘s run. Okay getting off topic a little. Onto Agatha and Daredevil.
Agatha And Daredevil
Remember when it was announced that Kathryn Hahn’s Agatha Harkness would be getting her own spin-off under the name Agatha: House of Harkness? Well, this name has been changed to Agatha: Coven of Chaos and is due to drop on Disney+ in Winter 2023/24.
Next, we have a follow-up to Daredevil called Daredevil: Born Again, which will see Charlie Cox and Vincent D’Onofrio reprise their roles. The series will consist of 18 episodes and will drop on Disney+ in Spring 2024.
Closing Out Phase 5 Will Be Two Big Films
Two films that have been speculated on for a while are Captain America 4, now called Captain America: New World Order. Cap 4 was revealed after the conclusion of The Falcon and Winter Soldier.
The release date is currently May 3, 2024.
Secondly, a Thunderbolts film will be the final entry for Phase 5. However, the lineup is not yet known. Though, it has a release date of July 26, 2024. Regarding the lineup, it has been said that the team will contain characters we already know; however, the characters’ appearances will depend on the actors’ availability. We’ve spoken about a rumour where we’d heard that the post-credit scene for Black Widow would be Yelena Belova teaming up with Taskmaster and Thunderbolt Ross. Though, what are the chances she’s on the Thunderbolts team?
Also, we did come up with the outlandish thought that Nat and Clint hooked up. Yeah, we’re going to stop thinking like that now.
Phase 6 Will Begin And End With HUGE Films
Finally, we get to Phase 6. Unlike its predecessor, Phase 5, only some of Phase 6 was revealed. The film will be Fantastic Four which will drop on November 8, 2024. Finishing the Phase and the Multiverse Saga will be not ONE but TWO Avengers films released in the same year. These will include Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, which has a release date of May 7, 2025, and Avengers: Secret Wars, which drops on November 7, 2025.
Potential Future
An article from The Direct says that eight spots have not yet been filled. BGR reports that trademark filings were made for the following titles:
- Avengers: The Kang Dynasty
- Captain America: New World Order
- Thunderbolts
- Avengers: Secret Wars
- Multiverse Saga
There were others as well, which we saw which Marvel Crave reported on Twitter:
- Shang-Chi and the Wreckage of Time
- Nomad
- Avengers Academy
- Eternity Wars
- Black Knight: Origins
- Celestials: End of Time
- Midnight Suns
The only ones confirmed were for the projects announced at #MarvelSDCC. It won’t be surprising if some of the trademark filings above fight into the eight slots that are currently vacant.
When we have more intel, we’ll be sure to share it.
