Phase 3 is just beginning with CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR on May 6, but let's talk about Phase 4 which starts in 2020 instead!
A lot is going to change after Marvel Studios' two-part AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR films. Mainly due to the majority of the actors' contracts expiring. Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Scarlett Johannson, Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston and Samuel L. Jackson are a few of the top actor names who have an expiring contract, as well as a several others.
Marvel's Phase 1, 2 and 3 has been a slow build to the arrival of Thanos with his Infinity Gauntlet and all of the Infinity Stones in his possession to face-off against the Avengers. This is being considered the studio's three-part mega Saga that we will just call 'The Infinity Saga.'
But what's going to happen after that?
Marvel Studios already has dates set for its first three untitled Phase 4 movies in 2020: on May 1, July 10 and November 6. Studio head Kevin Feige spoke to Entertainment Weekly to disclose that the landscape of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) will definitely be changing after the events of the Infinity War movies.
“I think you look at comics as a guide. I think there will be a finality to moments of Phase Three, as well as new beginnings that will mark a different, a very different, a distinctively different chapter in what will someday be a complete first saga made up of three phases.”
This brings us back to looking at how the layout of the MCU will change in Phase 4. There are a few obvious choices as to which franchises will carry-on the next Saga of Marvel Studios' massive, multi-franchise stories and one of which that it is pretty much guaranteed is GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 3 will be a part of Phase 4. Feige pretty much confirmed this without officially confirming it to the website io9 earlier last week.
“And it is still a big chess board for 2020 and beyond, but certainly I would say Guardians 3 is [one film that’s] up there. I don’t know what exactly the order will be.”
So GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 3 is more or less a certainty, so let's look at all the possibilities of the current franchises in Phase 4.
SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING SEQUEL
This should be a given because Disney does not like to play with other studios in their sandbox but Spider-Man is a rare exception to this rule. Disney has the merchandising rights to the Spidey and will easily makes billions off of Spider-Man movie merch as long as Sony continues to allow Marvel Studios full creative control over.
DOCTOR STRANGE 2
Both Spidey and Doctor Strange look to be the characters who will lead the MCU in Phase 4 and beyond. Since Doctor Strange can travel into other realities and dimensions, there's no reason to not think he wouldn't be making appearances in other heroes' movies in Phase 4 and beyond.
BLACK PANTHER 2
If the positivity generated from the earliest screenings of CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR are any clue then actor Chadwick Boseman will be an instant fan-favorite. And his solo BLACK PANTHER movie in 2018 could be another sleeper hit for the studio similar to the box office performance of ANT-MAN last year.
ANT-MAN 3
Speaking of ANT-MAN, there should be no doubt that Marvel will want to continue to add actor Paul Rudd's charm and humor for another solo movie after ANT-MAN AND THE WASP.
CAPTAIN MARVEL 2
This is a tough call but Marvel Studios needs to embrace more females in leading super hero roles and if CAPTAIN MARVEL succeeds, then look for a sequel.
CAPTIAN AMERICA 4
Another tough call here with Evans' contract up before Phase 4 begins. But Bucky Barnes / Winter Soldier actor Sebastian Stan signed a 9-picture deal so you have to assume he will be holding the shield as the new Captain America soon.
IRON MAN 4
This is just wishful thinking and while Downey is the perfect embodiment of Tony Stark, the studio needs to put more focus on Don Cheadle. At one point in the comics, James Rhodes suits up as Iron Man and this would be great to see Cheadle put aside his War Machine suit to take over as Iron Man for one movie. Of course it could always end with a cliffhanger of Stark returning to wear the Iron Man suit once again.
THOR 4
It's no secret that the studios has an issue with its Thor movies. Not because they are bad but because they aren't as great as most of their other movies. Could it be time for a female Thor to take the helm and be worthy enough to hold Mjolnir in Phase 4? It is certainly an exciting thought.
INHUMANS
Currently set to close out Phase 3 but it seems unlikely and INHUMANS could be destined to be pushed back into Phase 4 to make their big screen debut.
So that goes through all the current and upcoming franchises, but now let's look at two franchises that could get some consideration to debut in Phase 4 even though they are also tied up in movie rights issues with other studios.
THE INCREDIBLE HULK 2
Sure there are some movie rights issues that still need to be worked out between Marvel and Universal but actor Mark Ruffalo deserves his own leading movie. As to what comic book storyline would be a good basis for this sequel... an adaptation of World War Hulk definitely comes to mind as does the always rumored Planet Hulk.
FANTASTIC FOUR
Definitely wishful thinking with this pick but Fox can't get this franchise right and they need to move on from it and let Marvel Studios take a crack at getting it right. Plus this would bring Dr. Doom into the MCU as well as Silver Surfer and Galactus. All would be fantastic pieces added into the MCU, especially Dr. Doom.
In conclusion, while these are mostly sequels it's honestly just too damn hard to predict new franchises that could be coming. So sound-off in the comments below with your picks for new potential franchises in the MCU in Phase 4 and beyond!