MCU Phase 5 Slate: The 9 Projects to Expect
Phase 4 has yet to officially kick-off, as Black Widow will catalyze the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s highly-anticipated transition out of Avengers: Endgame (considering Spider-man: Far from Home functioned as more of an epilogue). However, such hasn’t stopped leaks and theories surrounding Phase 5 from making their way to the internet. And, let us not forget that Marvel President Kevin Feige has explained that Phase 5 of the MCU is already mapped out, as Collider notes; and while he has yet to disclose several specifics, he hasn’t shied away from dropping major clues and references along the way.
Based on Marvel President Kevin Feige’s comments about the MCU’s future, as well as leaks from well-known Marvel insiders, and narrative plausibilities based on such leaks, there are 9 movies you can already expect to premiere as part of Phase 5.
According to the Cosmic Wonder, the release schedule will take place largely in 2022 and 2023 with the following dates (may face some alteration along the way): February 18, 2022, May 6, 2022, July 29, 2022, October 7, 2022, February 17, 2023, May 5, 2023, July 28, 2023, and November 3, 2023. While Black Panther 2 will likely be one of the first movies released as part of Phase 5, the order concerning the next is up for debate. So, let’s dive in (in no particular order).
The Familiar: ‘Black Panther 2,’ ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3,’ ‘Captain Marvel 2,’ and ‘Ant-Man 3’
During San Diego Comic-Con, Kevin Feige named-dropped a handful of movies that the panel didn’t get to discuss during the presentation. If the movies were further out than the following phase, he probably would have refrained from divulging such far-off information, as to not spoil a surprise. Black Panther 2 and Guardians of the Galaxy were both a part of this comment.
Following Black Panther’s widespread success — at the box office and according to critics — a follow-up was inevitable. The next Guardians movie has been shifted and moved and turned about, but fans knew it was coming. With the original director back in charge, it’s only a matter of time until Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is all tied up. And, as for Ant-Man 3, The Hollywood Reporter announced that Peyton Reed would return to direct the installment back in November.
The Newbies: ‘Blade,’ ‘Fantastic Four,’ ‘X-Men,’ ‘Thunderbolts,’ and ‘The New Avengers’
Black Panther and Guardians of the Galaxy weren’t the only two movies Kevin Feige mentioned when discussing projects that the panel didn’t get around to during Comic-Con. He also brought up both the X-Men and the Fantastic Four.
Following the Fox/Disney merger, it’s only a matter of time until the Marvel President gets his money’s worth on these characters. And, Feige already met with Patrick Stewart to discuss his role as Charles Xavier (Stewart said no). If something wasn’t in the pipeline, why bother chatting with Stewart at all?
As for the Thunderbolts and the New Avengers, rumor has is that General Ross will allude to his team of heroes and villains (Thunderbolts) in Black Widow 2, or the team may begin to surface in Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Either or, foundation-building in Phase 4 primes Marvel Studios for a Phase 5 installment. And, with Kate Bishop, Ms. Marvel, and more coming to the MCU, the New Avengers seems closer than ever.
At this point, whether Blade will be a Disney+ show or a movie remains unknown; however, with Mahershala Ali in the title role, it’s bound to be a fun ride.
