Marvel’s Phase 4: Pushing the Boundaries
All photos courtesy of Marvel Studios and Disney+.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has been known to push the boundaries when it comes to movies and now television. Phases 1, 2, and 3 known as the Infinity Saga introduced the fans to the universe that has become a worldwide phenomenon. Phase 4 is pushing more boundaries with Marvel announcing the addition of a ton of new movies and television shows. Let’s dive into what phase 4 is going to bring us in the coming years.
WANDAVISION
Release Date: January 15, 2021
Starring: Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Bettany, Teyonah Parris, Kathryn Hahn
WandaVision was released on January 15th of this year. It is a miniseries that was created by Jac Schaeffer for Disney+. It takes place only 3 weeks after the events of Avengers: Endgame. We see Wanda and Vision living in an idyllic town but everything is not as it seems. The concept of this show is unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. This show is what made me fall in love with the MCU.
The show lasted 9 episodes and each episode was released weekly. It pays homage to sitcoms with Wanda and Vision living a reality that has them go through different decades of television tropes. The series received praise from critics for its unique concept and the performances of Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany.
The series is the first of many in Phase 4. The one thing about this show is how immersive it is. It feels like you’re watching a really long movie but split up in multiple parts. The special effects are absolutely insane. Marvel always outdo themselves with this. The costumes were stunning and accurate with each decade.
The events of the show will be followed up in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (I will talk about this later so keep reading if you’re curious to learn more). To all the Wanda fans out there: Wanda’s story is not ending, it’s just beginning.
THE FALCON AND THE WINTER SOLDIER
Date Released: March 19, 2021
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Sebastian Stan, Emily VanCamp, Wyatt Russell
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier was released on March 19th of this year. Six months after the events of Avengers: Endgame, we find Sam Wilson aka The Falcon and Bucky Barnes aka the Winter Soldier team up again which tests out their abilities and patience.
If you like action, this show is for you.
The show will last 6 episodes. This show takes viewers on a global adventure and gives them quite a few laughs courtesy of Sam and Bucky’s non-stop bickering.
There has been a lot of hate towards John Walker, directly to Wyatt Russell, who portrays the controversial character. He is just doing his job. No one deserves to be harassed for doing their job.
The events that occur in the show are unknown to be followed up in anything else such as a movie, another season of TFATWS or another show.
LOKI
Release Date: June 9, 2021
Starring: Tom Hiddleston, Owen Wilson
Loki will be released on June 9th of this year. It is going to have 6 episodes. It has already been renewed for a second season but Marvel or Disney+ have not officially confirmed this news yet.
It is going to be set after the events of Avengers: Endgame. Loki is brought to the Time Variance Alliance, a police force that monitors time and the multiverse.
The series was originally supposed to premiere in May of this year but was pushed back to June 9th.
An official trailer was released on April 5th which had Twitter users in a frenzy. The trailer was on the trending page in a matter of seconds out of anticipation for the series.
BLACK WIDOW
Release Date: July 9, 2021
Starring: Scarlett Johansson, Florence Pugh, David Harbour
Black Widow is one of the most anticipated movies on this list because of the constant push backs. It was originally supposed to be released in theaters on May 1, 2020 but was pushed back due to the state of the world at that time.
For those of you who are not entirely comfortable going to the theaters, Disney+ will have the movie at the disposal for Marvel fans. It will be available to Disney+ users for premier access. Users will have to pay an extra fee of $29.99 to watch the movie at home.
The movie is set after the events of Captain America: Civil War where Natasha Romanoff aka Black Widow is on the run and forced to face her past. We’ll be meeting some new faces including Yelena Belova (Pugh) who is a sister figure to Natasha and Alexei Shostakov (Harbour) who is a father figure to Natasha and Yelena and is a close equal to Captain America. Super soldiers from another mother, am I right? Moving on.
Marvel released a new trailer for the movie on April 3rd. The official trailer was released on March 9th.
The takeaway here is that fans hope that the movie won’t be pushed back again because they’ve waited so long to see it.
SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME
Release Date: December 17, 2021
Starring: Tom Holland, Zendaya, Jacob Batalon, Marisa Tomei
Spider-Man: No Way Home is another anticipated MCU movie. Fans speculated if Andrew Garfield and Tobey MacGuire would reprise their roles as Peter Parker/Spider-Man and introduce us all to the multiverse.
This was a rumor but Jamie Fox is confirmed to be reprising his role as Electro from The Amazing Spider-Man 2 and Alfred Molina is confirmed to be reprising his role as Dr. Otto Octavius from Spider-Man 2.
We will be seeing Benedict Cumberbatch as Doctor Strange. He will be taking on a mentor role that was filled by Tony Stark in Homecoming and Nick Fury in Far From Home.
The movie is set to be released on December 17th of this year.
A fourth Spider-Man movie has been confirmed. Unfortunately, we won’t be seeing the charming Tom Holland as Peter Parker. No Way Home is the final movie under his contract with Marvel and Sony.
DOCTOR STRANGE IN THE MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS
Release Date: March 25, 2022
Starring: Benedict Cumberbatch, Elizabeth Olsen, Rachel McAdams
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is set after the events of Avengers: Endgame and WandaVision. Dr. Strange continues to study the Time Stone but is interrupted by a friend turned enemy. He is forced to unleash unspeakable evil because of it.
Many fans on Twitter have been saying how Wanda and Dr. Strange could have killed Thanos in Endgame easily. Fans have been aching for this team-up. So, we will be seeing Wanda Maximoff appear in this movie.
The movie is set to be released on March 25th of next year. Filming is taking place in London, Los Angeles, New York City, and Vancouver.
THOR: LOVE AND THUNDER
Release Date: May 6, 2022
Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Tessa Thompson, Christian Bale, Natalie Portman
Thor: Love and Thunder will follow up from the events of Thor: Ragnarok. This movie will reunite Thor and Jane Foster. Jane was in the first two Thor movies. She will be returning and her character will be explored further.
Valkyrie will be returning as the king of New Asgard. Kevin Feige, the producer of the movie, explains that her bisexuality will be addressed in this movie. This makes her Marvel’s first LGBTQ+ superhero. It’s about time.
Christian Bale is set to be in the movie as Gorr the God Butcher. Jeff Goldblum is reprising his role as the Grandmaster from Thor: Ragnarok.
The most exciting news is that the Guardians of the Galaxy will be appearing in this movie. Yes, you heard me right. Peter Quill, Drax, Mantis, and Nebula will be there. Unfortunately, Rocket and Groot are not going to be making appearances.
The plot is unknown at the moment but it is set to be released on May 6th of next year. Filming is currently being done in Australia.
THE MARVELS
Release Date: November 11, 2022
Starring: Brie Larson, Teyonah Parris, Iman Vellani
The Marvels is a sequel to Captain Marvel and Avengers: Endgame. It is also a crossover/sequel to Ms. Marvel, another television show that Marvel is coming out with later this year.
The original directors of the first movie were going to direct the sequel but Marvel wanted a female director for the sequel instead. They opted for Nia DaCosta to direct.
Ms. Marvel is going to set up The Marvels for us. Lots of girl power in phase 4. Marvel is serving us well.
The plot is unknown at the moment but the movie is set to be released on November 11th of next year.
Conclusion
As you can see, Marvel is pushing the boundaries for phase 4. Unique concepts, bold ideas, and epic visual effects come into play in the new television shows and movies that will be coming out this year and next year. It’s a new era and the MCU is in it for the long game.